Child Poverty Action Group calls for changes to make Universal Credit work for families and children

Date: 23rd August 2021
Category: Child poverty

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CPAG has published a briefing giving an overview of Universal Credit’s (UC) main problems and offering recommendations for change in five areas, in order to improve UC, make it work for families and reduce child poverty.

Universal Credit is now the main working-age benefit in the UK but since its inception, it has been affected by administrative issues and budget cuts and, as a result, its early promise to reduce poverty has yet to be realised.

When the pandemic hit, swift changes were needed to make UC fit for purpose including an increase in the amount of financial support provided and a relaxation of some of its most punitive rules. However, the vast majority of these positive changes have already been reversed or are due to be reversed in the coming months.

The briefing gives an overview of UC’s main problems, and provides recommendations for change in five areas:

1. Improving adequacy
   2. Filling the gaps
   3. Supporting people into work and in work
   4. Starting a claim
   5. Managing a claim

For more details and to read the CPAG briefing on Universal Credit click here.