Olivia-rose M on 27 November 2021
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Q. With these new changes to Universal Credit coming in, what do you think about this focus on helping working families?
I think the percentage taper should lower at 45 percent. If it's not lower, it acts as a disincentive to increase hours. The biggest help for me though, as a part time working single parent, was working from home. This has saved me massive costs on commuting and childcare, which in effect, has resulted in increased net income. I am currently battling with the managers in my section of a local authority that I work for, to recognise the value of WFH for a low income single parent. I don't necessarily need more UC benefit to be better off, I need to cut out unnecessary costs! It's not a difficult benefit to see, but some employees seem to have difficulty getting their heads around it. Our part of the council has been approached by researchers from a university regarding hybrid working. I am wondering if there are any researchers specifically gathering evidence on how making WFH a mainstream option can benefit low income working families though? This would help organisations like councils recognise the need and desire for WFH for working parents and force lower level managers (who do not have children) to understand their duty to look at WFH options for those who are more disadvantaged.
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