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<p>The outbreak of COVID-19, which led to an unprecedented surge of over 3 million
new Universal Credit claims, resulted in the Department refocusing its resources to
deliver frontline activities. This meant we regrettably had to take the decision not
to pursue the Universal Credit Transition Fund as had been planned in April 2020.
This decision was reported to the Work and Pensions Select Committee in July of this
year.</p><p> </p><p>The Universal Credit Transition Fund was intended to assist partner
organisations in providing extra help to the most vulnerable claimants, improving
access to welfare and labour market opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has
increased the funding for the Flexible Support Fund by £150 million in Great Britain,
including to increase the capacity of the Rapid Response Service, which can be spent
on delivering support to claimants in conjunction with local partners. The Department
also continues to grant fund Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, worth up
to £39 million, to deliver tailored, practical support to people making a Universal
Credit claim up to their first full correct payment being received.</p>
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