UK to see pay increase for 114,000 working people on Universal Credit

Around 114,000 working people in the UK on Universal Credit will be supported to boost their wages, helping families improve their prospects and pay, as reported on Monday, September 26.

The changes will reportedly bring tens of thousands of working people on Universal Credit across the UK come into closer contact with a dedicated Work Coach focused on guiding them to increase their hours, progress in their chosen field, or pursue other opportunities – all aimed at helping jobseekers to earn more money.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) places Universal Credit claimants, who are fit to work, on low incomes into groups known as ‘Light Touch’ and ‘Intensive Work Search’.

The Administrative Earnings Threshold or AET then determines their earnings and the amount of support required.

Changes which come into force today (26 September), mean that people will remain in the Intensive Work Search Group until their earnings reach the new higher threshold.

This will mean they continue to benefit from weekly or fortnightly meetings one on one with a dedicated Work Coach, for longer.

A single claimant earning below £494 per calendar month and couples with combined earnings below £782 per calendar month will be eligible for the support.

The increased support will ensure claimants who are already in work but earn low pay will continue to receive support from a Work Coach until they are earning a secure income and forging a sustainable career, helping grow the economy.

Existing claimants affected by these changes will receive a message in their journal and can talk to their Work Coach to understand what it means for them and help available.

Claimants will receive this journal message at the end of their first full assessment period after 26 September.

The news follows reports that around six million disabled people in the UK are set to receive their one-off £150 Disability Cost of Living payment, as reported on Tuesday, September 20.

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