Work and Pensions Committee
Select Committee Announcement
30 August 2012
For Immediate Release:
AN11 2012–13
ORAL EVIDENCE
Committee examines the Government’s progress towards implementation of Universal Credit
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The Work and Pensions Committee has begun an inquiry to review the progress being made towards implementation of Universal Credit. The inquiry will examine the implementation process, the proposed entitlement conditions and the future operation of the benefit.
Universal Credit is a new benefit for people of working age which will be introduced over a four year period from 2013 to 2017. It will replace existing means-tested benefits and tax credits (including income-based Jobseekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance; Income Support; Child Tax Credits; Working Tax Credits; and Housing Benefit). It is a key Government reform aimed at simplifying the benefits system and promoting work and personal responsibility.
The Work and Pensions Committee will next week hold the first evidence session in this inquiry.
Details of the evidence session are as follows:
Wednesday 5 September 2012
Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Witnesses:
At 9.30
- Local Government Association (Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman and Cllr Catherine West, Islington Council)
- Chartered Institute of Housing (Gavin Smart, Director of Policy and Practice)
- Unison (Pete Challis, National Officer (Local Government and Housing))
At 10.30
- Institute for Fiscal Studies (Professor Mike Brewer, Research Fellow and James Browne, Senior Research Economist)
- Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (Tony Wilson, Director of Policy and Research)
- Women’s Budget Group (Fran Bennett, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute of Social Policy)
–ENDS–
Notes to Editors
The Committee’s inquiry into progress towards implementation of Universal Credit was announced in July. The terms of reference are available on the Committee’s website.
This evidence session is the first in a series which will consider the Government’s approach and progress. Two further evidence sessions in September will hear evidence from representative organisations and Government Ministers.
With the first panel of witnesses, the Committee will explore the implications of the reform for local authorities, particularly in relation to support for housing costs and council tax; and the timescale and process for delivering Universal Credit. In the second part of the session, the witnesses will be asked about payment arrangements and support and advice for claimants; the likely impact of the reforms on incentives to work; and how Universal Credit might reduce complexity in the benefits system.
Committee membership:
Dame Anne Begg MP (Chair) (Lab, Aberdeen South), Mrs Debbie Abrahams MP (Oldham East and Saddleworth), Harriett Baldwin MP (Con, West Worcestershire), Andrew Bingham MP (Con, High Peak), Karen Bradley MP (Con, Staffordshire Moorlands), Sheila Gilmore (Lab, Edinburgh East), Oliver Heald MP (Con, North East Hertfordshire), Glenda Jackson MP (Lab, Hampstead and Highgate), Brandon Lewis MP, (Con, Great Yarmouth), Stephen Lloyd MP (Lib Dem, Eastbourne), Teresa Pearce MP (Lab, Erith and Thamesmead)
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