Ministers have announced the names of 15 English local authorities short-listed for consideration as one of a dozen Universal Credit (UC) pilots starting nationally this autumn.

Announcing the councils chosen for consideration from a long-list of 38 ‘very strong’ contenders Lord Freud said the UC pilot schemes were the best way to help authorities test different propositions for claimants and establish systems.

‘The pilots will look at encouraging claimants to access online support, improving financial independence, budgeting support and helping people find work, delivering efficiencies and reducing fraud and error,’ said Lord Freud.

The minister named the 15 English authorities short-listed as sites for potential UC pilots, which include: Barnet LB; Bath and North East Somerset; Birmingham City Council; the West London tri-boroughs and Wandsworth LB; Leeds City Council; Lewisham LBC; Melton BC; Newcastle-under-Lyme BC; North Dorset DC; Oldham MBC; Oxford City Council; Rushcliffe BC; a Scarborough-led group of North Yorkshire councils and Wigan MBC.

Additionally five Scottish and Welsh councils will also be considered for pilots in the devolved administrations.

Lord Freud added he was keen to develop a network of local authorities keen to collaborate with the DWP ahead of the first phase introduction of UC in October 2013.

Cllr Philippa Roe, leader of Westminster Council - one of four central London boroughs which have joined together for a pilot - said the authority was excited by the opportunity to work with the DWP and LGA to introduce Universal Credit.

‘We want to use the pilot to explore how we can help more families into work, create new opportunities for low-income families and step-up our fight against benefit fraud.’