News story

Every jobcentre in London and home counties switched to Universal Credit

Over 95% of jobcentres now offer Universal Credit.

Opening up work – Universal Credit

Almost 11,500 people are claiming Universal Credit in the capital and surrounding area and around a third are in work.

With 9 more jobcentres switching to Universal Credit for single jobseekers today, 674 jobcentres around the country now offer the new benefit.

By spring this year, every jobcentre in the country will offer the new benefit.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith said:

Today marks a real milestone – with the roll out of Universal Credit now complete in London.

Universal Credit offers better work incentives, and allows people to keep more of what they earn than the current system. It helps people move into work faster and earn more – giving them the confidence, self-esteem, and security that a job and a pay packet brings.

It’s great that people right across London will now have the opportunity to benefit from its transformational effects.

Today, all single jobseekers will be able to claim Universal Credit in:

  • Tottenham
  • Wood Green
  • Kentish Town
  • Loftus
  • Guisborough
  • Redcar
  • Eston
  • Wisbech
  • Kings Lynn

Universal Credit is designed to ensure people will always be better off in work.

People claiming Universal Credit are significantly more likely to find employment than those on Jobseeker’s Allowance and for the first time ever, we are supporting claimants to earn more and progress in their careers.

Are you ready to claim Universal Credit? It’s the new benefit that makes it easier to take up a wider range of jobs and get back to work quickly.

How Universal Credit can help you into work

Universal Credit will eventually replace 6 existing benefits:

  • Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credits
  • Housing Benefit

See the list of jobcentre areas where you can claim Universal Credit.

Published 14 March 2016