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In this issue

  • Policy in Practice hosts a TIGger to discuss Universal Credit
  • Natural migration: Policy in Practice’s evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee
  • Percy the protection calculator launched at ABI
  • A data led investigation into the impact of Universal Credit in Wales
  • In the news
  • Latest webinars, job vacancies and blog posts
Policy in Practice hosts a TIGger to discuss Universal Credit
Heidi Allen, lead for welfare and pensions, social care and business at The Independent Group, met senior social policy analysts this week in a meeting hosted by Policy in Practice.

The practical, constructive session looked at ways that Universal Credit needs to improve if it is to meet the needs the 7 million people it is intended to help. In a wide ranging discussion, topics such as the 5 week wait, payment delays, personal debt and the benefits freeze were explored.

Read Universal Credit: A welcome change in direction, with more to do
Natural migration: Policy in Practice’s evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee
Zoe Charlesworth, Head of Policy at Policy in Practice, gave evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee on how moving onto Universal Credit will affect people and the differences between ‘natural’ and ‘managed’ migration.

The Committee’s questions follow the government’s announcement that the roll-out of managed migration will be delayed, and limited to a pilot of 10,000 claimants in 2019. As a result, around half a million more households will migrate ‘naturally’ onto Universal Credit, meaning their existing benefits claim will end and they’ll have to make a new claim for Universal Credit if they have a change in their circumstances. Unlike managed migration, households who naturally migrate onto Universal Credit aren't given any transitional protection.

Our evidence shows that:

  • 40% of households (around 200,000) will be worse off by £59.45 per week, on average
  • 30% of households (around 150,000) will be better off by £44.30 per week, on average
  • 72% of low-income self-employed households will lose out
  • 90% of homeowners in receipt of tax credits will lose out
  • People with savings over £16,000 who were eligible for Tax Credits, but are not eligible for any Universal Credit will lose out
  • Unearned income is treated differently under Universal Credit causing big changes to take home income for some groups

Read our analysis and download our submission
Percy the Protection Calculator launched at ABI
This month the ABI launched Percy the Protection Calculator, a brand new income gap calculator developed by Policy in Practice using our award winning Benefit and Budgeting Calculator. Designed to show people what an income shock can do to your finances, it gives an accurate estimate of likely income in the event of a change of circumstances. It will help improve consumer financial resilience and show where appropriate cover may help. Currently in beta phase, feedback on the calculator is being sought.

View Percy the Protection Calculator
A data led investigation into the impact of Universal Credit in Wales
Policy in Practice has been commissioned by the Welsh Government to undertake a detailed assessment of how Universal Credit is affecting families in Wales. This research will help the Welsh Government to make policy decisions that best support local authorities and their residents with Universal Credit.

Working directly with Welsh local authorities and housing associations our research will help the Welsh Government make policy decisions to best support local authorities, and their residents, with Universal Credit.

Find out more in English or Welsh
In the news
Deven Ghelani discussed the implications of the five week wait for Universal Credit claimants, and its link to increased use of food banks, in the media this month. He comments on Amber Rudd's acknowledgement of this in Parliament and talks about the support available to claimants now, and possible solutions for the Government to consider.

View more media appearances
Tackling child poverty: building a positive future for Britain’s youth
Deven Ghelani joined an expert panel of speakers at Public Policy Exchange's Tackling Child Poverty: Building a Positive Future for Britain’s Youth symposium on Tuesday 5 March 2019.

Deven talked about how data analysis can be used to identify children who are vulnerable now and who are likely to be so in the future. He also showed how organisations can use their data to target support and track change.

View his slides here and Twitter moment, below.  

Upcoming webinars
Council tax support: Models that Members can sign up to
Wednesday 20 March at 10:30

Join our clients to hear how they’re changing their council tax support schemes for Universal Credit. Learn how our comprehensive impact modelling provides data that Members needed to agree amended schemes with confidence.

Using data analytics to understand child vulnerability
Wednesday 17 April at 10:30

Children’s service datasets lack information on the family context, making it hard to identify vulnerable children before they come into contact with care services. By modelling the cumulative impact of welfare policy using household level datasets we can show the impact that specific policy reforms such as Universal Credit, the benefit cap and the two child limit will have on levels of child vulnerability.
How frontline organisations can prepare for managed migration
Wednesday 15 May at 10:30

Local organisations who deliver frontline support play an important role in helping people get ready to move onto Universal Credit. The rollout of Universal Credit means there is more pressure on support organisations to make sure their customers are prepared for the changes ahead.

Can't make the dates? Register anyway to automatically get the recordings and slides.
On demand: February's webinars
How Citizens Advice is helping Universal Credit claimants
Data analytics: Who’s missing out on benefits in your area?
Slides from speaking engagements
The debt landscape in response to a changing policy environment
Consumer Debt Conference, Utility Week 2019
Thursday 28 February
View slides here

Using data to keep children out of poverty
Public Policy Exchange's Tackling Child Poverty: Building a Positive Future for Britain’s Youth symposium
Tuesday 5 March
View slides here

View more presentations on our Slideshare channel
Latest job vacancies


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