(Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions):This Government is committed to providing young
people with the support they need to get started with their working
lives. We do this through providing financial support when it is
needed, and support to either ‘earn or learn’ – delivered through
the simplified Universal Credit (UC) benefits system. In line with
this aim, I am today announcing that the Government will amend
regulations so that all 18-21 year olds will be entitled to claim
support for housing costs in UC.
Currently, 18-21 year olds who make a new claim to UC in UC Full
Service areas need to meet certain requirements in order to
receive housing support. The change I am announcing today means
that young people on benefits will be assured that if they secure
a tenancy, they will have support towards their housing costs in
the normal way.
Young people in return will have a Youth Obligation – an
intensive package of labour market support for 18-21 year-olds
looking to get into work. We are committed to providing targeted
support for young people so that everyone, no matter what their
start in life, is given the very best chance of getting into
work.
This decision ensures that there are no unintended barriers to
young people accessing housing on the basis of their age alone
and getting into work, and is in line with the Government’s
launch of the Homelessness Reduction Act and our commitment to
eradicating rough sleeping by 2027.
