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  Opposition Day - Universal Credit Work Allowance - Decision to Cut
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  The motion rejected by the majority of MPs in this vote was:
  
  :That this House calls on the Government to reverse its decision to cut the universal credit work allowance, which is due to come into effect in April 2016.
  
  
  Changes to the universal credit work allowance were announced in the [https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/budget-july-2015 summer budget 2015] and implemented via the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/1649/contents/made The Universal Credit (Work Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2015] which contain a "coming into force" date of the 11th of April 2016.
  
  Paragraph 1.144 of the [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/443232/50325_Summer_Budget_15_Web_Accessible.pdf 2015 Summer Budget document] stated:
  
  "From April 2016, the government will reduce the level of earnings at which a householdâs tax credits and Universal Credit award starts to be withdrawn for every extra pound earned. In tax credits, this point (known as the income threshold) will be reduced from Â£6,420 to Â£3,850. The equivalents in Universal Credit (work allowances) will be reduced to Â£4,764 for those without housing costs, Â£2,304 for those with housing costs, and removed altogether for nonÃ¢ÂÂdisabled claimants without children. 
  The government will also increase the rate at which a personâs or householdâs tax credit award is reduced as they progress in work, by increasing the taper rate in tax credits from 41% to 48%."
  
  The amounts paid in Universal Credit are set out in [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/5/section/8/enacted Section 8 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012], this states amounts are to be deducted in respect of earned and unearned income. Those rates are set via regulations. 
  
  [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2013/9780111531938/regulation/22 Regulation 22 of the The Universal Credit Regulations 2013] set the rates in force at the time of the vote at 65% the claimantâs earned income above a "work allowance" which varies depending on a claimant's circumstances and 100% of earned income. 
  
  The [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/1649/made The Universal Credit (Work Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2015] amended these "work allowance" rates. The changes involved removing the work allowance for those without responsibility for a child or qualifying young person or limited capability for work. The work allowance was replaced with two rates, a higher work allowance of Â£397 (which applies if the universal credit award contains a housing element) and a lower work allowance of Â£192 (which applies if there is no housing element). 
  
  The 2015 regulations reduce the work allowance, or keep it the same, in all circumstances. The rates for those with a limited capability for work, with no housing element remain the same at Â£192 per month. The biggest losers are single claimants responsible for one or more children or qualifying young persons whose universal credit has a housing element, these individuals' work allowance is reduced by Â£337.00 per month. Their payments will be reduced by 65% of that which is Â£219.05 per month or Â£2628.60 per year. 
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  