1. The welfare revolution

As a result of the huge shake-up of the benefits system introduced by the coalition government through the Welfare Reform Act 2012, several state benefits are being phased out and replaced by a new benefits system. The new Universal Credit (UC) is gradually replacing:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance;

• Housing Benefit;

• Working Tax Credit;

• Child Tax Credit;

• Employment and Support Allowance; and

• Income Support.

Eventually, everyone on these benefits will have to move to the new system and UC requires claimants to accept a Claimant Commitment (see page 15). This Chapter provides some key facts about how claimants will be affected by UC and other recent changes, and the changes due to happen in 2015 and beyond.