The Government’s review of major projects shows that Universal Credit (UC) will cost £12.8bn to set up rather than the previously claimed £2.2bn
The reason for these increased costs is that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will also have to run existing benefits whilst it introduces Universal Credit.
The £12.8bn will be used to cover costs which include the IT and staff costs for both UC and six existing benefits it is intended to replace.
For more information see http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240185166/Universal-Credit-will-cost-taxpayers-128bn
For more information on universal credit and the other benefits affected by the changeover go to our welfare reform factsheets page.