Briefings and responses

We support the principle of Universal Credit, which is to incentivise work and increase income from employment. Councils want the transition to be a success, however there are concerns about funding reductions for the programme, the impact of the freeze to working age benefits, and shortfalls in funding for supporting claimants with additional needs.

Local authorities continue to play an important role in managing the impacts of welfare reform in their communities, including the rollout of the Universal Credit (UC) Full Service. It is therefore crucial that councils’ concerns about the effect of the rollout of UC on residents and services are listened to by the Government.

LGA’s view is that the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit (UC) should be retained to provide necessary support to low-income households and to prevent unsustainable costs falling on councils.