Length of universal credit interviews halved as UK benefit need soars | Universal credit | The Guardian
![STEEM POSTS](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/099d74a718e3722aca89763e6afc9d5ffd3f1558/0_235_4324_2595/master/4324.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom,left&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdG8tZGVmY)
The length of time that unemployed people spend with "work coaches" when they first apply for universal credit (UC) has been almost halved as unemployment soars, government ministers have admitted.
The shortening of the first, crucial "claimant commitment" interview from a 50-minute face-to-face session, to just 30 minutes by phone, is evidence of the strain being placed on the system by Covid-19.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://dlike.io/images/dlike-logo.jpg)