Minister of State for Employment (): The Government laid regulations to amend
Regulation 99 (6) of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 to
raise the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) level to £617
for individual claimants and £988 for couples in Great Britain
from 30 January 2023. This builds on the Administrative Earnings
increase which took place on 26th September 2022.
The new AET levels are equivalent to an individual working 15
hours per week at the National Living Wage or claimants in a
couple working a total of 24 hours per week at the National
Living Wage.
Increasing the threshold will bring an estimated 120,000
claimants into the Intensive Work Search regime from the Light
Touch regime. This change will allow our Work Coaches to support
those claimants with very low incomes to access opportunities to
increase their earnings. This could include developing their
skills, progressing in their current role, or by changing their
job.
The change in the AET level will complement the new In Work
Progression offer that is being rolled out to all Jobcentres
throughout 2023. Through this new offer, more people who are in
work and on low incomes will be able to access Work Coach support
to increase their earnings and move into better quality jobs.
Corresponding legislation for Northern Ireland was laid in
parallel to this instrument.
We will communicate the rise in the AET to claimants through
national press coverage. In addition, claimants impacted by the
rise in the Administrative Earnings Threshold level will be
contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions through their
Universal Credit journal. Our Work Coaches will then review and
agree new Claimant Commitments, providing support and setting
appropriate requirements to help claimants access opportunities
to increase their earnings.
