Amber Rudd unveils Universal Credit shake-up to help victims of domestic abuse

WOMEN have the right to be in control of their lives.

So today I am setting out changes to Universal Credit to help achieve this.

From this week whenever a new household registers for Universal Credit we will guide them that payments should be directed to the bank account of the main carer, which is usually a woman.

This will happen automatically whenever someone applies online, and we will also release new guidance to Jobcentres to make them aware of the change.

Around six out of ten women receive the Universal Credit payment in a joint claim and I expect to see this number increase.

This change will help reduce the risk of women being trapped in economically abusive relationships and not having their own money.

There is little that motivates me more than trying to help women and girls improve their lives. And for as long as I am in Government I will be dedicated to tackling domestic abuse.

So not only am I setting out changes to guard against economic abuse, but I’m also announcing new ways to spot and support victims of physical abuse. Therefore by next month there will be new Domestic Abuse Support Champion in all our Jobcentres.

We have been working closely with charities like Women’s Aid to train people for these new roles and I thank them for their support.

As I announce another improvement to Universal Credit, I thank The Sun for their Make Universal Credit Work and Give Me Shelter campaigns.

As DWP Secretary I have made the system fairer, more compassionate and easier for those who need welfare support.

The Sun are right to prioritise these issues because as a Conservative Party the best thing we can do is help people who need it most.

Of course the best way to help people improve their lives is to build an economy where as many people as possible have good quality jobs and this week the unemployment rate remained at just under 4 per cent.

And because we’ve cut taxes for low earners, we’re not only getting more people into work but helping them keep more of their money.

But for people who cannot work, our system has to provide support and compassion – protecting those who need help.

The next Conservative government must continue to support those on the lowest incomes, because the poorest in society should always be our concern.