Managed Migration and tighter mobilising descriptors in ESA/UC

Hi Hicksville

All managed Migration claimants will be new UC claimants.

I cannot answer your second question as I have not yet seen the details.

Gary

micksville

The change in criteria will not occur until next year and only if the Conservatives are re-elected.

The shortened timescale sounds to me to be election speak, whilst there is no specific reason why they should not start migrating ESA claimants now, the issue has always been one of capacity.

Tax Credit claimants were prioritised because HMRC's TC computer system is literally falling apart but there will come a point, at least in certain regions, where the number of remaining TC claimants falls below the local DWP's capacity to transfer them and it is likely then that ESA claimants will start to be moved.

Whether this project will be completed by the end of 2025 is debatable. I have fond memories of the Incapacity Benefit move to ESA that was supposed to take a couple of years ending in 2013, it actually completed in 2023! Also, the DWP has been reducing staffing levels and has had to move staff from back offices to the call systems due to high staff turnover. None of these suggest that the 2025 timescale is doable.

Gordon