The DWP has confirmed when six benefits will cease as the move over to the Universal Credit system is completed. Claimants moving on to the new benefit will need to fill in an application to keep getting their payments.
Letters are going out to claimants to notify them of the change and to tell them by when they need to apply. Social security minister Sir Stephen Timms updated Parliament on how the transition is going.
Some 943,000 homes have already been advised of the change and urged to move over. The DWP is now writing to those on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to invite them to apply.
Mr Timms stated: “DWP will steadily increase the number of migration notices being sent to people receiving ESA over the next months and are aiming to issue 63,000 migration notices each month from February, sending the final notices in early December 2025 and fully moving people to Universal Credit and closing legacy benefits by the end of March 2026.”
He also revealed that ministers are aiming to “formally close” the Move to Universal Credit programme by March 2025 end. Mr Timms highlighted the perks of switching to Universal Credit, saying: “Universal Credit provides greater support and incentives to get people into work and increase the hours they work than the benefits it replaces.”
However, recent concerns have surfaced over new powers allowing DWP investigators to peek at claimants’ bank details if benefit fraud is suspected. These changes will be part of Labour’s Fraud, Error and Debt Bill, with officials also getting powers to raid properties and seize assets when dealing with organised fraudsters gaming the system.
(Image: Chris Young/PA Wire)
Financial guru Yiannis Zourmpanos, senior contributor at Bountii, commented to say: “The idea that the Government can peer into your bank account feels invasive, and I understand why. From a financial perspective, this kind of oversight raises ethical issues.
“But remember, it’s also a balancing act. The DWP is trying to ensure that public funds are being properly allocated, and they’re arguing that the level of fraud demands a tougher stance.”