Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to help support people to find suitable work, in the context of changes to thresholds for Universal Credit.

The government is committed to supporting people both into work and to progress in work. The changes to the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) ensure that more Universal Credit claimants on low incomes are provided with regular Work Coach support to help them grow their earnings. This could be by accessing provision to improve their skills, identifying opportunities to work more hours or progress with their current employer, or finding a role that better suits their careers aspirations with another employer or sector.

We have also introduced a new In Work Progression Offer, which provides Work Coach engagement to UC claimants earning above the AET. This is supported by 37 new District Progression Leads who are working with key partners, including local government, employers, and skills providers to identify and develop local progression opportunities, and to overcome barriers that limit progression, such as childcare and transport.