The Conservatives will always support the most vulnerable in society. Supporting people back to work is just as important. In government, we introduced Universal Credit, a new modern benefit that ensures people are better off in work than on benefits. We also announced a £2.5bn Back to Work Plan, radically expanding the employment support available to help more disabled people and people with health conditions to start, stay and succeed in work.
On top of this, following the pandemic and the effects of Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine, the Government provided unprecedented help for the most vulnerable in our society with £104 billion in cost-of-living support from 2022-25, one of the largest packages in Europe, which has prevented 1.3 million people from falling into absolute poverty. This included a Disability Cost of Living Payments of £150 in 2022 and 2023. The Energy Price Guarantee saw the Government capped and paid half of people’s energy bills when prices were at their highest. We also increased benefits by a further 6.7% and we have raised the Local Housing Allowance, benefitting 1.6 million households by around £800 this year on average.
Universal Credit Reform
Under Labour the welfare system was broken, 1.4 million people spent years trapped on out-of-work benefits–with many receiving more than the average wage.50,000 households were allowed to claim benefits worth over £500 a week or over £26,000 a year–higher than the average wage at the time. Under Labour the welfare system punished work–people could lose over £9 of every £10 extra they earned. The benefit system was so complicated that for some people, there was virtually no financial incentive towork.
Universal Credit was the biggest and most fundamental reform to the welfare state since its creation. It is a modern benefit based on the sound principles that work should always pay and those who need support receive it. Universal Credit is paid on a monthly basis to align with the way in which the vast majority of employees are paid, and with how service providers and utility companies collect payments. A package of support including budgeting advice and Alternative Payment Arrangements exists for claimants.
Universal Credit Helpline
According to the Universal Credit Service Claimant Survey, 98 per cent of claims are made online and over half did not need help from others. All Jobcentres across the UK have free Wi-Fi and there are computers available to support customers with making their claim online. I am glad that for people who are still unable to access or use digital services, or are not able to travel, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helpline. If a vulnerable claimant requires, a home visit can be arranged to support someone in making and maintaining their claim.
Help to Claim
Help to Claim continues supporting our claimants. Help to Claim provides free, confidential and impartial support to help people make a UC claim. People using the service can get advice on anything to do with applying for the benefit, including gathering the required evidence, filling in the application or preparing for their first jobcentre appointment. People can also access support online, over the phone and face-to-face through local Citizens Advice bureaus.