TAUNTON and Minehead are preparing for the biggest ever transformation of the welfare state, with Universal Credit coming to the towns this spring.

All new single claimants in the towns’ Jobcentre Plus offices will be offered Universal Credit, which aims to get people into work faster and earning more, from April 20 – following the lead of 165 centres nationwide.

Latest figures show that Taunton’s job market is already booming, with 79.7% of the population in work and the number of people claiming out of work benefits falling by more than a third in the past year.

Welfare Reform Minister David Freud recently visited local Jobcentre staff, Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils, and local housing associations to discuss what the reform means for them.

He told them that Universal Credit increases flexibility for employees and employers, ending the complicated shift patterns created by the 16-hour weekly working limit under Jobseeker’s Allowance.

It will eventually replace six existing benefits – Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Working and Child Tax Credits and Housing benefit - simplifying the system to make sure work always pays.

Mr Freud said: “It is great news that Universal Credit is coming to Taunton and I am pleased to hear from councils and local employers about how they are preparing for the new welfare system.

“We’ve already seen remarkable successes with Universal Credit, with claimants moving into work faster and staying in work longer.

“As part of our long-term economic plan, people in Taunton will soon have the financial security that work will always pay - more hours means more money in your pocket.”

Jo Horne, careers advisor at Somerset Skills and Learning said: “Universal Credit will bring a culture change by allowing people to take on more hours, more pay or more training without worrying about whether they’ll lose their benefits.”