DWP Universal Credit: Rule change could see benefits cut for thousands from this week

A major change to Universal Credit (UC) has come into force this week - and the shake-up could result in benefit cuts for thousands of claimants.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said that people claiming UC will be moved from a ‘light touch’ work search category into the ‘intensive work search’ group from September 26.

It means claimants could be required to increase their hours at their existing job, look for better paid work - or risk losing their benefits together.

Around 114,000 part-time workers will be impacted by the rule change, which the DWP claims is aimed towards helping job seekers earn more money.

Universal Credit changes for claimants explained

Currently, those working up to nine hours a week while being paid the National Living Wage