The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee,
chaired by , today
invites written contributions to its new inquiry into the
economics of Universal Credit.
The Committee will examine whether Universal Credit
is meeting its original objectives and whether the policy
assumptions reflected in its design are appropriate for different
groups of claimants.
It will also examine the extent to which Universal
Credit meets the needs of claimants in today’s labour market and
changing world of work.
The Committee is seeking answers to the
following questions:
-
How well has Universal Credit met its
original objectives?
-
What effect has fiscal retrenchment had on
the ability of Universal Credit to successfully deliver its
objectives?
-
Were the original objectives and assumptions
the right ones for ensuring adequate and fair social security
for all? If not, how should they have been
different?
-
Which claimants have benefited most from the
Universal Credit reforms and which have lost
out?
-
How has the world of work changed since the
introduction of Universal Credit and does Universal Credit’s
design adequately reflect the reality of low-paid
work?
-
If Universal Credit does not adequately
reflect the lived experiences of low-paid workers, how should
it be reformed?
, Chairman of
the Economic Affairs Committee, said:
“Our Committee will consider if the original
objectives of Universal Credit are still fit for purpose and able
to provide adequate and fair social security. We will then make
our recommendations to Government in due
course.
“To inform our work we want to hear from as
broad a range of people as possible. If you have a view on
Universal Credit, look at our call for evidence and let us know
what you think.”
The deadline for the submission of written
evidence is 29 February 2020.
Click
here to read the call for evidence and find out how to
submit evidence.
In the last two years the Economic Affairs
Committee has published reports on social care, High Speed 2,
measuring inflation and post-school education. Following the
publication of these reports the Government announced a review of
its own social care policy and an independent review of High
Speed 2.
The Committee’s post-school education report
called for a change to how student loans are recorded in the
public finances. Within six months of publication the Office for
National Statistics did just that and reclassified as public
spending the amount of student loans expected not to be
repaid.
Notes to
Editors
-
The Economic Affairs Committee is one of the five
permanent investigative committees in the House of Lords and is
charged with considering economic affairs.
