DWP have announce start of national roll out of Universal Credit
There announcement included details of the first areas outside of the Pathfinders where Universal Credit will be rolled out in October – there will be six hub Jobcentres – Hammersmith, Rugby, Inverness, Harrogate, Bath, Shotton. These will be taking new claims to the benefit.
They have also announced that 20,000 Jobcentre Plus advisers will be retrained to deliver the claimant commitment and enhanced jobsearch support nationally. Ten in-work conditionality pilots will test how best to encourage claimants to progress in work.
They have also announced details of improved access to digital services across Jobcentre Plus. 6,000 new computers will be installed across the country, embedding digital technology and ensuring that jobseekers become used to online transactions.