Universal Credit

The Chancellor has introduced measures to support those who now find themselves without employment.

Both the UC standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element have been increased by £1,000 per year for the next 12 months. This equates to an additional £86.67 per month, on top of the planned annual uprating. Together, these measures represent an injection of £6.5 billion into the welfare system.

All existing WTC recipients are set to benefit, alongside all UC claimants, both new and existing. The new rates will automatically be reflected in claimants’ awards. Around 2.5 million households will immediately benefit from this additional UC funding, as will anyone who becomes unemployed or whose earnings decrease under the impact of the Coronavirus. 

Assessments 

The decision was made to suspend all face-to-face assessments for health- and disability-related benefits with immediate effect. This includes Personal Independence Payment, the Industrial Injuries Scheme and Work Capability Assessments in both Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit.