‘Revolutionary’ new benefit now available in Diss

A ‘revolutionary’ new benefit for single jobseekers is now available in Diss — which the government claims will put 300,000 more people in work nationally.

Universal Credit, which is being rolled out in Jobcentres across the country, has been designed to replace six monthly benefits into one payment and will, for the firs time, combine in and out of work benefits.

The latest research shows that Universal Credit claimants spend more time looking for work, move into work quicker and stay in jobs for longer compared to those on Jobseeker’s Allowance, according the government.

Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud said: “Universal Credit is a revolution in welfare – a system that, for the first time, supports people both in and out of work. Already people across the country are benefitting from this greater flexibility.

“Under Universal Credit we are helping to create a higher wage, lower tax, and lower welfare society, with people moving into jobs faster, and able to increase their earnings safe in the knowledge that they are better off in work.”

The Daily Jobseeker has also been created — an online resource with tips and advice on how claimants can get into work — with the aim of helping to get people into work quicker.

Universal Credit is a revolution in welfare – a system that, for the first time, supports people both in and out of work

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson added: “The new system shifts focus away from the number of hours a person works to the amount they earn, removing the need to switch between benefits when working more than 16 hours a week.”

For more information visit www.gov.uk/universal-credit