What should be done about Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is being rolled-out across Wales.

It’s radically changing the finances of thousands of households. How should devolved services respond to the effects of Universal Credit on households and on their services?

Universal Credit has been described as the biggest shake-up of social security in a generation. By 2020, an estimated 400,000 people in Wales will be receiving it.

Almost all public policy debate has focused on the challenges of moving to Universal Credit for claimants, with many organisations introducing a range of services to support claimants ranging from providing advice to teaching digital skills to help with money management.  There have also been calls for changes to be made to the administration of Universal Credit.

However, there has been little if any discussion about any changes that might be needed to public policy in Wales as a result of the roll-out of Universal Credit, nor is there any overarching approach to managing the roll-out, with organisations developing their own individual responses.

This small scale project aims to explore the implications of Universal Credit for public policy and make recommendations for change.

Completion date: June 2018

Funder: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Outputs

Event: What is to be done about Universal Credit? 15th March 2018

An event with more than 50 delegates from across the public, private and third sectors, featuring keynote speakers:

• Tony Graham, Trussell Trust
• Hayley McNamara, Community Housing Cymru
• Lisa Hayward, Welsh Local Government Association
• Ian Simpson, Bron Afon Homes
• Huw Thomas, Department for Work and Pensions
• Liz Withers, Citizens Advice Cymru

Publication

• Universal Credit: Implications for devolved policies and services

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