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Original poster

New UC rules to force both partners to work ??

722 replies

Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:07

I can’t find anything online about this but have heard it’s being changed as previously there had to be a certain number of hours worked but this could be by just one partner but now it’s being changed to make both work even though the total household hours don’t change??

This seems very unfair and taking away choice for some families in difficult circumstances. I just can’t find the official guidance is anyone able to link to it ? Thanks

OP posts:
Bamboozleme · 29/04/2023 10:09

I can’t find anything online

where have you “heard” this nugget from op?

Soontobe60 · 29/04/2023 10:09

If a parent chooses to not work in paid employment, that’s fine. But should the state pay them for this? Probably not.

Jonei · 29/04/2023 10:10

Why wouldn't both parents work if they haven't got enough income?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:12

Yes, it was in the budget. If one half of the couple is not working through choice (I.e. not a carer), they will be expected to look for employment. UC isn’t there to fund stay at home parents who could otherwise be working.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:12

Are you saying that if someone has a partner they should be able to choose for only one of them to work and the state pay them money to facilitate this? Why? Is this currently the case? Confused

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:13

Bamboozleme · 29/04/2023 10:09

I can’t find anything online

where have you “heard” this nugget from op?

I read it on a thread about home education ?

Apparently if a couple was on UC of one partner did over a certain amount of hours it cancelled out the other partners need to work ? But now although that required amount of hours isn’t going to change they are going to make it that both partners have to split the hours rather than 1 do all of them ? But I can’t find anything to verify this ?

OP posts:
TheHandmaiden · 29/04/2023 10:13

In the words of Lizzo, it's about damn time

PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:13

@PieInSpace It’s the case now- if one partner is earning above a certain threshold then the non working partner isn’t expected to look for work.

Bamboozleme · 29/04/2023 10:13

The op has “heard” something, done some research, uncovered zilch, so thought best bet was start a thread and try to engender anger / anxiety.

PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:14

@Bamboozleme It was in the budget

Bamboozleme · 29/04/2023 10:14

But I can’t find anything to verify this ?

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:15

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:12

Are you saying that if someone has a partner they should be able to choose for only one of them to work and the state pay them money to facilitate this? Why? Is this currently the case? Confused

Yes currently if a couple claim UC they both have work related commitments unless one works and earns over a certain amount of hours then the other has no requirement to look for work as the amount specified by UC has been met . They aren’t changing that threshold as far as I can tell but saying that the hours worked have to be the same but can’t now be worked by just one person ?

As I said Im trying to verify this as was worried but can’t find anything online to confirm.

OP posts:
DyslexicPoster · 29/04/2023 10:15

So would it be the total hours split across both or is there a minimum both parents would need to do? I'm a carer for my son right now but as long as it wasn't over 15 hours I could fit evening work around my sons taxi to and from school. That's the main thing stopping me working full tine right now. My son can't be picked off or dropped anywhere else but to an adult in our house. Otherwise I'd be back at work full time.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:16

Bamboozleme · 29/04/2023 10:13

The op has “heard” something, done some research, uncovered zilch, so thought best bet was start a thread and try to engender anger / anxiety.

You’re really out of order. I dont know what your problem is but I came in here to ask as I couldn’t find anything by googling

OP posts:
TheHandmaiden · 29/04/2023 10:16

You won't find anything to confirm this until the next budgetary bill which is probably September or so. Expect the rules to change around then.

PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:17

PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:13

@PieInSpace It’s the case now- if one partner is earning above a certain threshold then the non working partner isn’t expected to look for work.

And then get paid benefits for choosing not to have a job if they need more income? I was under the impression from threads on here that benefit rules were really harsh these days so am surprised people have been given money for opting out of work if not unwell etc!

IncredibleSulk · 29/04/2023 10:17

Worried about what? That you will have to get a job/both have to work? How frightening.

YouveGotAFastCar · 29/04/2023 10:17

It was mentioned in the budget but it’s still in consultation. It’s currently “planned” that both parts of a couple will have to work a minimum amount of hours, rather than having a set amount that could be split between them (eg requiring the couple to work 30 hours that could have one person do all 30, or then split 80/20, 50/50, etc).

Until there’s an official update, though, it’s just a government plan. There’s a lot of them, some come off and some don’t. There’s no way of knowing if this will, just like there’s no way of knowing if the new childcare hours will.

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:17

TheHandmaiden · 29/04/2023 10:13

In the words of Lizzo, it's about damn time

But if the amount of hours required hasn’t changed then all it’s doing is removing choice depending on family circumstances.

There seem to be a lot of families with SEN kids home educating due to no suitable school place where one partner works and the other is busy with the home education- this just removes choice from these families and many others but the hours worked hasn’t changed so if true seems petty ?

OP posts:
Waitingforsummer75 · 29/04/2023 10:18

If there are two adults in a household who are capable of working then this is exactly how it should be. I've never understood why it was ok for just one adult to work (and not even full time)

PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:18

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-budget-2023-labour-market-factsheet/spring-budget-2023-factsheet-labour-market-measures

The couples AET, where a second member of a household may not be asked to look for work if their partner is working, will be removed entirely. These changes are expected to require over 100,000 additional claimants to meet more regularly with a Work Coach and take active steps to move into work or increase their earnings.

Spring Budget 2023 factsheet – Labour Market Measures

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-budget-2023-labour-market-factsheet/spring-budget-2023-factsheet-labour-market-measures

Original poster
Citrusmuffin · 29/04/2023 10:19

IncredibleSulk · 29/04/2023 10:17

Worried about what? That you will have to get a job/both have to work? How frightening.

Well I take it you don’t have health issues yourself plus a SEN child unable to go to school so you probably wouldn’t understand

OP posts:
PieInSpace · 29/04/2023 10:19

Yes currently if a couple claim UC they both have work related commitments unless one works and earns over a certain amount of hours then the other has no requirement to look for work as the amount specified by UC has been met . They aren’t changing that threshold as far as I can tell but saying that the hours worked have to be the same but can’t now be worked by just one person ?

As I said Im trying to verify this as was worried but can’t find anything online to confirm.

But if a couple aren't earning enough from one income surely the solution is that they both work and earn more? And if they have enough income from just one person working then they wouldn't need benefits?

It makes no sense! Why when the country is broke are people getting benefits to pay them not to work when they could do?

Hogi · 29/04/2023 10:19

I can't imagine two adults with no dependants or disability would be entitled to much, if any benefits whilst one was working and the other wasn't.

PaniniHead · 29/04/2023 10:19

OP, if you’re a carer then you won’t be expected to look for work.