The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today further rolled out its Universal Credit trials to new jobseekers in Inverness and Rugby according to Housemark today
It was previously reported by DWP that these councils would have Universal Credit rolled out in spring 2014.
The jobseekers will be required to sign the DWP’s new Claimant Commitment. This sets what jobseekers must do in order to receive Jobseeker’s Allowance and provides information about the consequences of failing to meet its requirements.
The DWP also confirmed the next councils to have Universal credit rolled out are Harrogate, Bath and Shotton by spring 2014.
Also, in last Sunday’s Observer it was reported that Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith is pushing to scrap benefits that help sufferers of recent illnesses get back into employment. This would currently affect 546,770 people.
According to the Observer Ian Duncan Smith was championing this major change ahead of the publication of a national disability employment strategy.