DWP Universal Credit payment delay plan announced for people under 22

Liz Kendall is planning changes to the welfare system that will limit the age at which people can claim one payment. Kendall today unveiled major reforms to the UK benefits system in an address in Parliament designed to save £5bn in 2029-30.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said changes would support those who could not work and help others with disabilities and health conditions who can to get into work. She said: "The status quo is unacceptable but it is not inevitable."

And one key measure will affect people under the age of 22. She said that in addition to funding a youth guarantee with the £240m Get Britain Working plan, the government would consult on delaying access to the health top-up in Universal Credit (UC) until someone is aged 22.

She said the savings from this would be reinvested into work, support and training opportunities. In addition, Kendall said for those on the UC heath top-up, the government will bring in "an expectation to engage".

She said there would also be a new support conversation to talk about people's goals and aspirations and an offer of personalised health, skills and employment support. In addition, she said the government would deliver personalised support to people who are sick and disabled and can work to get the jobs they deserve. And she said there would be £1bn a year for employment support with the aim of guaranteeing high quality, tailored and personalised support to help people on the pathway to work.

Kendall vowed to unleash the talents of British people. She said this was key to our future success.

She told MPs the social security system the Labour party inherited from the Tories was "failing the very people it is supposed to help and holding out country back".

She gave data to back up her point. “The facts speak for themselves: one in 10 people of working age now claiming a sickness or disability benefit, almost one million young people not in education, employment or training – that’s one in eight of all our young people," she said.

“2.8 million out of work due to long-term sickness, and the number of people claiming personal independence payments set to double this decade from two to 4.3 million, with the growth in claims rising faster among young people, and mental health conditions.

“And with claims up to four times higher in parts of the Midlands, Wales and the north, where economic demand is weakest. Places that were decimated in the 80s and 90s, written-off for years by successive Tory governments and never given the chances they deserve.”

What is the Universal Credit health top-up?

According to gov.uk, "you might get an extra amount of Universal Credit if you have a health condition or disability that limits how much work you can do. The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) refers to this as your ‘capability to work’.

"Your monthly payment is based on your circumstances, for example your health condition or disability, income and housing costs."