Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson & Robert Buckland have joined the Minister for Welfare Delivery, Caroline Nokes to see how the roll-out of Universal Credit is helping local residents.
Universal Credit simplifies the benefits system by rolling six previously complicated benefits (including housing benefit, jobseekers allowance and tax credits) into one simple monthly payment. The idea is that by simplifying the system, all of the guidance and support from Job Centre staff will go towards getting people into work, rather than spending all of their time navigating the various benefits.
The system also ensures that every single person going through the process will be assigned individual work coaches who will help with every aspect of finding work, including help with training that may be required as well as finding childcare. For the first time ever, people are being supported by their work coach once they are in work, to ensure that they remain in work and get the support needed to stay in work and move up.
During the visit, the Minister met with staff from the Jobcentre to see first-hand how the changes are ensuring that local residents can get the right support at the right time. In particular she was keen to learn about the personal service offered by work coaches in Swindon, who are providing a dedicated point of contact for every person throughout the process to offer advice and encouragement.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It was fantastic visit the Swindon Jobcentre again to talk to the team about the success of Universal Credit. Swindon is the first large Jobcentre in southern England to have a full Universal Credit service, meaning that people receiving support in a wide range of areas can take advantage of the new, faster and more efficient system. The Minister was impressed with the work the Jobcentre staff in Swindon have done to ensure that every single person is receiving the highest quality support and I know from my visits here during my time as the MP that the staff here are dedicated to ensuring everyone can access the services which are best for them.”
