Annual General Meeting
OVERVIEW
The APPG on Universal Credit is a cross-party group, which was established in order for Members of Parliament of all parties to be able to come together to discuss the experiences of their own constituents, to receive advice and support from various agencies, to share best practice at supporting constituents and monitor this critical policy as it is rolled out.
The APPG accepts the core aims of Universal Credit (UC) in simplifying the benefits system and making it easier for people to move into work. The reality of UC, however, does not live up to these good intentions. We are seriously concerned that the design of UC does not sufficiently take into consideration the specific needs of the poorest working age people in the UK, and that in its current form, UC does not work in their best interest.
On 18 November 20178 the APPG held its AGM. The following parliamentarians were present: Ruth George MP (Chair)Debbie Abrahams MP, Yvonne Fovargue MP, Sharon Hodgson MP, Afzal Kahn MP, Lord Kerslake MP, Baroness Lister, The Earl of Listowel, Stephen Lloyd MP (Vice-Chair), Liz McKinnes MP, Office of Rebecca Pow MP Alison Thewliss MP, Stephen Timms MP, Liz Twist MP and Baron Young of Norwood Green.
The APPG elected the following parliamentarians as Officers
| Role | Name | Party |
| Chair & Registered Contact | Ruth George | Labour |
| Vice Chair | Debbie Abrahams | Labour |
| Vice Chair | Peter Aldous | Conservative |
| Vice Chair | Lisa Cameron | Scottish National Party |
| Vice Chair | Lord Kerslake | Crossbench |
| Vice Chair | Hugh Gaffney | Labour |
| Vice Chair | Baroness Lister of Burtersett | Labour |
| Vice Chair | Stephen Lloyd | Independent |
| Vice Chair | Alison Thewliss | Scottish National Party |
The following 2019 APPG evidence sessions were proposed:
- Natural Migration
- How to make a Universal Credit claim
- Invitation to Secretary of State to attend an APPG meeting
- The effect of Universal Credit and Refugees and Asylum Seekers (to be held jointly with the APPG on Refugees)
- Universal Credit and child care
- Universal Credit and self-employment
- Universal Credit and debt (to be held jointly with the APPG for Debt & Personal Finance)
- What needs to change in Universal Credit?
- In-work conditionality
- Evidence session with Professor Ian Diamond Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee
- Sanctions in Universal Credit
- Claimants user experience (several evidence sessions to be programmed meetings over a set period)
- Mental Health and Universal Credit
- Evidence session from Public and Commercial Services Union
- Placed based experience evidence sessions
- Universal Credit and Young People (to be run jointly with the APPG for Looked After Children and Care Leavers)
- Universal Credit and Disability (to be held jointly with the APPG for Disability)
