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Rudd ‘still considering’ when to give MPs vote on Universal Credit roll-out
Amber Rudd has told MPs she is “still considering” when they will be given a vote on the full and final roll-out Universal Credit.
Several national media outlets reported over the weekend that the vote on the managed migration of the government’s flagship welfare reform programme – which will see three million existing benefit claimants moved onto the new system – would be delayed.
Work and pensions secretary Ms Rudd was responding this week to a question from Labour MP Frank Field asking her to clarify the reports.
Mr Field chairs the cross-party Work and Pensions Select Committee which in November called on ministers to hold back the vote until the government’s spending watchdog has assessed the managed migration plans.
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Ms Rudd said: “As I said in the select committee to him before Christmas, I will want to consider carefully when I bring to the house the vote for the three million managed migration which is scheduled for 2020.
“I’m still considering when to do that. I can reassure him that there will be a vote on that before it takes place and the 10,000 pilot will as always, which was announced some time ago, inform us of how we do that.”
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A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions told Inside Housing separately: “We have long said we will be taking a measured approach to roll out, ensuring the system works for everyone.
“We will begin by supporting 10,000 people onto the benefit from July 2019, providing tailored support throughout the process.
“We will keep parliament up to date and Universal Credit remains on track to be fully rolled out by 2023.”
