Universal Credit review
LITRG have responded to DWP’s recent informal general review of universal credit. LITRG’s main focus concerning universal credit is where there are interactions with tax rules and the tax system and in looking at the treatment and impacts of income in the universal credit system, in particular areas where there are potential benefits from better guidance and smoother interactions with the tax system.
We have made practical recommendations that support universal credit’s original goals of making work pay, easing the transition into work and simplifying administration for both claimants and government.
Universal credit is now embedded as the main system of mean-tested support for people of working age in the UK. This is an ideal time to look again at some of the rules, processes and guidance to find options to make the system better, fairer and easier to navigate whilst ensuring it evolves to meet the stated aims of the policy behind it.