The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced changes to the claimant commitment for parents, or lead carers, of children aged between three and 12-years-old on Universal credit which will see them agree with their Work Coach to spend more time in work or applying for jobs - up to a maximum of 30 hours a week.
The new policy requires lead carers of children aged over three to be available for work, or actively look for work, for 30 hours each week - up from 16 hours for parents of three-year-olds and up from 25 hours for parents of those aged five and over.
This is in addition to changes introduced in July which increased the frequency of Work Coach meetings for lead carers of one and two-year-olds.
However, an online petition calling on the UK Government to reconsider increasing the additional work requirements for parents and lead carers has received 23,233 signatures of support and is now due an official response.
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