By Richard Johnstone | 5 December 2013
The nationwide rollout of the government’s Universal Credit benefit reform is unlikely to meet the 2017 target, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has admitted.
Publishing an update of the progress of the flagship reform today – following criticism of the implementation by the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee – Duncan Smith said it was more important to ensure safe delivery than meet specific deadlines.
The controversial plan to merge six benefits into one payment by 2017 for all recipients had been criticised for being overly ambitious and lacking a comprehensive implementation plan for the necessary computing systems. Under the old timetable, one million people were to have been switched to Universal Credit by the end of next year.
However, as a result of problems with the information technology, the Department for Work and Pensions has been working with the Government Digital Service to improve the system. The DWP admitted it would now therefore delay the rollout across the country until testing of the new systems was complete.
Under the revised plans, claims to existing benefits closed during 2016. This will mean that all new benefit claimants across the country will claim Universal Credit instead of the legacy benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance or Housing Benefit in that year.
Most of the existing benefit claimants will be moved over to Universal Credit during 2016 and 2017, however it is expected that there will still be some claiming the old benefits into 2018.
Duncan Smith said a more gradual changeover would ensure that the scheme would remain within its original budget.
‘This is a once-in-a-generation reform. And we’re going to get it right by bringing it in carefully and responsibly.
‘Our approach will ensure that while we continue to enhance the IT for Universal Credit, we will learn from and expand the existing service, so that we fully understand how people interact with it, and how we can best support them.’
Universal Credit is currently being piloted for single claimants in seven areas across Britain, which will increase to ten by spring 2014. The DWP said it also expected the rollout to cover more claims later next year, including those from couples and families.
