DWP brings in new Universal Credit rule change affecting thousands of families from today

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has brought in a new rule change that will affect thousands of families on Universal Credit.

From today, parents of children between the ages of 3 and 12 will have to spend more time working, or looking for work, under the conditions of their benefits.

Parents of 3 to 12-year-olds will now need to spend more time in work or applying for jobs, up to a maximum of 30 hours a week.

They will have to discuss the increased hours, which will be tailored to their personal circumstances, with their work coach. READ MORE: Wife receives HMRC letter about her husband's death - while he was sat next to her eating his lunch Read more stories on the DWP and benefits from the Manchester Evening News here. Previously, parents of 3 and 4-year-olds were expected to commit to a maximum of 16 hours a week, while parents of 5 to 12-year-olds had to commit to a maximum of 25 hours.