Iain Duncan Smith: Universal credit 'under budget'
People claiming the new universal credit benefit find work quicker, and earn more, than those on jobseeker's allowance (JSA), according to the government.
Its analysis suggested claimants in pilot areas were 13% more likely to have found work within four months than similar groups claiming JSA, but Labour has deemed universal credit a "failing programme".
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith defended the new benefits system and insisted it was being delivered under budget.
Universal credit will be made available at 150 additional job centres over the next two months, with all job centres due to be covered by next year.
The payment replaces six different benefits, including housing benefit, JSA and tax credits, and is currently available in nearly 100 job centres.
15 Feb 2015
- From the section UK Politics