Benefits guide What will the changes mean?

Universal credit

Those on universal credit who are not engaging in tying to find employment will see their benefits stopped entirely after 12 months.

The Government had previously said it would crack down on people not engaging in work coach services, but this announcement confirms they would have their claim closed and all benefits removed.

People working less than half a full-time week will also have to try to find extra work in return for claiming benefits. The administrative earnings threshold, which determines how much someone must earn before they no longer have to seek more work hours, will increase from £743 per month to £892 for an individual and £1189 to £1437 for couples.

This will move more than 180,000 claimants into the intensive work search group.

Disability and sickness benefits

The work capability assessment (WCA) process, which considers whether a person is fit for work or not, is being tightened with the aim of ultimately replacing it.

Mr Sunak confirmed a previously announced commitment that people with less severe conditions will be expected to look for work rather than being ruled out of having to apply for a job. Other proposed changes include having so-called specialist work and health professionals charged with responsibility for issuing sick notes instead of GPs. Assessments and eligibility for personal independence payments (PIP) – which is a benefit for those in need of extra support due to a condition or disability, who may not necessarily be out of work – will be overhauled.

A Green Paper on this will be published in the coming weeks and will guide promised legislation that will be set out in the manifesto.

Fraud

Mr Sunak set out plans for new laws to prevent “fraudsters” exploiting the benefit system. A fraud bill will be prepared for the next parliament to treat benefit fraud the same as tax fraud. It will include a new civil penalty to be applied to a wider set of fraudsters.