Universal Credit Care Leavers 2026-06-29
2026-06-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion about the challenges faced by care leavers transitioning into independent adulthood, referencing previous statements and statistics.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to reviewing Universal Credit age-related rates
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.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion about care leavers facing barriers and the Government's commitment to provide support, focusing on employment statistics and tailored Jobcentre Plus assistance.
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?
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to review Universal Credit age-related rates
Our Focus Is Rightly On Support Into Work.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion about the challenges faced by young people in Northern Ireland, particularly care leavers without employment.
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.
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy