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Conditionality for responsible carers of children aged 3 to 12 inclusive
Lots of people (mostly clients) are telling me that JC+ staff say guidance is changing from 31.10.23, so that expected hours for responsible carers of children aged 3 to 12 on UC /JSA will be 30.
That was one of the changes announced in July (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-parents-to-benefit-from-more-work-coach-support#:~:text=From%20today%20(24%20July%202023,help%20them%20prepare%20for%20work), when they just said ‘the autumn’. I haven’t seen the date anywhere written down - so no official source.
I was hoping this might be one of the changes delayed after PCS negotiation, but it looks as if it might be happening very soon. Nothing has changed on gov.uk yet (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment-quick-guide/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment#:~:text=Support%20from%20your%20work%20coach,-If%20you%20need&text=If%20you%20are%20able%20to,section%20in%20your%20online%20account) and I noticed that the expected hours guidance hasn’t changed in the recently updated deposited papers either (https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2023-0791/063._Expected_hours_V6.0_.pdf).
This is obviously a big change from the current 16/25 depending on child’s age so it would be good to have a source if anyone has one. Thanks!
I can ask via stakeholder forum if you would like Will?
Yes please! I’d appreciate that Daphne.
Will
this will make a huge difference to the income threshold for the minimum income floor too - can see that affecting a lot more claimants in the next few years xx
Yes please! I’d appreciate that Daphne.
Will
Consider it done Will :)
Got my answer…
As noted in the Rightsnet article, the press release says self-employed parents are not affected, which presumably means their expected hours will remain at 16 or 25, and if the MIF is applied it will be based on those hours. Let’s hope so!
[ Edited: 25 Oct 2023 at 06:20 pm by WillH ]Today’s Touchbase:
“
Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit
From this week, thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or increasing their work hours.
Parents of 3 to 12-year-olds will agree with their Work Coach to spend more time in work or applying for jobs, up to a maximum of 30 hours a week.
“
Hah! Yes, they “will agree” to increase their work search. What a choice of wording.
Today’s Touchbase:
“
Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit
From this week, thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or increasing their work hours.
Parents of 3 to 12-year-olds will agree with their Work Coach to spend more time in work or applying for jobs, up to a maximum of 30 hours a week.
“Hah! Yes, they “will agree” to increase their work search. What a choice of wording.
I’m afraid to say what I think about this smoke and mirrors as I will probably be banned from the forum.
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As noted in the Rightsnet article, the press release says self-employed parents are not affected, which presumably means their expected hours will remain at 16 or 25, and if the MIF is applied it will be based on those hours. Let’s hope so!
It was announced in the small print of the Autumn Statement today that the MIF will now be increased for such parents.
I note that the guidance has not been updated: https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2023-0791/063._Expected_hours_V6.0_.pdf
They only update the guidance in the HoC library about every 6 months, so we won’t see any updated until prob about April or so. Unless you do an FOI to get updated guidance more quickly