Will the Government pay heed to its own research? Training people to use universal credit could cost hundreds of millions Research commissioned by the Dept for Work and Pensions shows many benefit claimants will need extensive help to get online, open bank accounts and manage budgets. The study, carried out by three London councils using DWP data and a methodology agreed with Whitehall officials, found they would each need to spend about £6m over a two-year period to support vulnerable claimants to get online, help them open bank accounts and manage monthly budgets. The research, seen by the Guardian, , reveals the extent to which socially excluded claimants will struggle with the huge cultural and behavioural changes demanded by universal credit, and warns that without help, those who fail to get to grips with the new welfare system will face debts, arrears and eviction, leading to a rise in homelessness. It suggests councils, charities and private companies will be required to deliver millions of hours of specialist training and support face-to face and over the telephone to ensure claimants are confident and technically proficient enough to use the system. theguardian/society/2013/nov/21/universal-credit-benefit-training-cost-millions
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 10:50:07 +0000
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