Unemployed young people in Gedling borough will continue to receive housing benefit after the government scrapped plans to bar 18-21 year olds receiving the payout over fears it would increase homelessness.
Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said today that the change, which reverses a key part of the 2015 Conservative general election manifesto, would “reassure all young people that housing support is in place if they need it”.
McVey said: “We want every young person to have the confidence to strive to fulfil their ambitions.
“For those young people who are vulnerable or face extra barriers, Universal Credit provides them with intensive, personalised support to move into employment, training or work experience; so no young person is left behind as they could be under the old benefits system.
“As we rollout Universal Credit, we have always been clear we will make any necessary changes along the way. This announcement today will reassure all young people that housing support is in place if they need it.”
Universal Credit is currently planned to be introduced into Gedling borough in November 2018
The new payment replaces six existing means-tested benefits: Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; Housing Benefit; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Job Seeker’s Allowance; and Income Support and is It is paid monthly, rather than weekly.
