Work coaches for 600,000 on Universal Credit

In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, announced that more than 600,000 people on Universal Credit will now meet with a work coach to help them find work.

Although the details haven't been finalised yet, it looks as though this will apply to people on low earnings who claim Universal Credit who are expected to look for more work or better paid work as condition of their claim. It seems unlikely that it will apply to people who claim Universal Credit and aren't expected to look for work, such as carers.

The work coaches will be able to help with job searches and can give people individual support depending on what they need.

The type of help they could offer might include:

• helping them identify transferrable skills and giving ideas for jobs or industries that they could apply to
• using local expertise to help find suitable opportunities
• helping people to create, improve and adapt their CV
• helping applying for jobs and giving advice on how to increase chance of success
• helping to prepare and practise for interviews

Universal Credit payment rates are going up from April 2023 in line with September's rate of inflation, meaning claimants will see a 10.1% rise in their benefits payments.

Other news from the Autumn Statement includes an increase in the National Living Wage starting from April 2023. The hourly rate will rise form £9.50 to £10.42 for those aged 23 or over.