DWP confirms vision for last phase of Universal Credit Programme, including ‘safe and secure’ migration of remaining 2.5 million households on legacy benefits and tax credits

Letter to Senior Responsible Owner sets out requirement for all tax credits, income support, JSA and housing benefit only claimants to be migrated by 2024/2025, with remaining 800,000 ESA claimants to be migrated by 2028/2029

The DWP has confirmed its vision for the last phase of the Universal Credit Programme, including the 'safe and secure' migration of the remaining 2.5 million households on legacy benefits and tax credits.

In a letter to the universal credit Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) Neil Couling dated 19 June 2023 which confirms his continued appointment to the role, the DWP says that –

'You have personal responsibility for the delivery of the Universal Credit Programme and will be held accountable for the delivery of its objectives, with policy intent and outcomes expected. This encompasses securing and protecting its vision, ensuring that it is governed responsibly, reported on honestly, escalated appropriately and for influencing the context, culture, and operating environment of the Universal Credit Programme. You are also responsible for ensuring the ongoing viability of the Universal Credit Programme and recommending its pause or termination if appropriate.'

Turning to its Vision of the Universal Credit Programme, the DWP says that –

'As at January 2023, there remains 2.5 million households claiming legacy benefits and tax credits who have yet to move over to universal credit. The government remains committed to completing the Move to UC. Moving the remaining claimants to universal credit in a safe and secure manner is the last phase of the programme and will ensure that the policy goals of universal credit are fully realised and also enable relevant legacy systems to be scaled down or closed entirely.'

In addition, noting that the small scale 'Move to UC' pilot in Harrogate was suspended in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the DWP says that –

'Learning from how universal credit operated during the pandemic and insight from the pilot, you have revised your strategy for moving the remaining households from legacy benefits to universal credit.'

The DWP goes on to confirm that –

'By the end of 2024/2025 you will have completed the moves of all legacy cases with tax credits (including those on both employment and support (ESA) and tax credits), all cases on income support and jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) and all housing benefit only cases. The Autumn Statement 2022 announced that the moving of some 800,000 ESA and ESA/housing benefit cases will be delayed until 2028/2029.'

The revised appointment letter as SRO for universal credit is available from gov.uk