Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit: Care Leavers 2026-06-29

Monday 29 June 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Whitby asked whether the Government had assessed the potential merits of ensuring all care leavers receive the same standard universal credit allowance.
  • The Minister responded that providing tailored Jobcentre Plus support is crucial to address the issue of 40% of young care leavers not being in employment, education, or training.
  • Jim Shannon thanked the Minister and inquired if there had been an opportunity to discuss care leavers in Northern Ireland, highlighting their role as untold heroes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

Discussion about the challenges faced by care leavers transitioning into independent adulthood, referencing previous statements and statistics.

Question

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that all care leavers are entitled to the same standard universal credit allowance. This Government are rightly committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, but care levers still face disproportionate challenges as they move into independent adulthood. Will the Minister commit to reviewing the universal credit age-related rates for care leavers, with a view to ensuring that all 18 to 24-year-old care leavers receive the same rate of UC as those aged 25 and over?

Answer from Stephen Timms

It is very important that we do not weaken the incentives for care levers to start work and to progress once they are in work. At the moment, 40% of young care leavers are not in employment, education or training. That is a horrific statistic, so our response is to provide tailored Jobcentre Plus support. We also have the new youth jobs grant of £3,000, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has referred to, which will be available from tomorrow. Care levers under the age of 25 are eligible for the one-bedroom local housing allowance rate, rather than the shared accommodation rate, so there is a financial benefit there, but our focus is rightly on support into work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to reviewing Universal Credit age-related rates

How: It Is Very Important That We Do Not Weaken The Incentives For Care Levers To Start Work And To Progress Once They Are In Work.

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Q2 John Whitby Lab Derbyshire Dales
Employment Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

Discussion about care leavers facing barriers and the Government's commitment to provide support, focusing on employment statistics and tailored Jobcentre Plus assistance.

Question

This Government are rightly committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, but care levers still face disproportionate challenges as they move into independent adulthood. Will the Minister commit to reviewing the universal credit age-related rates for care leavers, with a view to ensuring that all 18 to 24-year-old care leavers receive the same rate of UC as those aged 25 and over?

Answer from Stephen Timms

At the moment, 40% of young care levers are not in employment, education or training. That is a horrific statistic, so our response is to provide tailored Jobcentre Plus support. We also have the new youth jobs grant of £3,000 which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has referred to, which will be available from tomorrow. Care levers under the age of 25 are eligible for the one-bedroom local housing allowance rate, rather than the shared accommodation rate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to review Universal Credit age-related rates

How: Our Focus Is Rightly On Support Into Work.

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Social Care Northern Ireland Children & Families
Context

Discussion about the challenges faced by young people in Northern Ireland, particularly care leavers without employment.

Question

I thank the Minister very much for his answers, as always. In Northern Ireland, care levers are really untold heroes in the work that they do. Many of us, in all our communities, understand the delivery of care that is provided. In relation to young people, has the Minister had an opportunity to talk to the relevant Minister in Northern Ireland to ensure that we can move forward with the speed that he seems to indicate? I understand that there are 19,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 in Northern Ireland without any employment.

Answer from Stephen Timms

I would be delighted to have that conversation. I speak regularly to the Minister in Northern Ireland about matters in my portfolio, and I would be happy to cover this matter in our next conversation.

Answered
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