Scrap the whole Universal Credit system.

It's degrading and affects self worth of claimers who have to justify every aspect of their personal life.

The 5 week wait to transition from legacy benefits to UC is unnecessary as all information is already on computer files.

Why forcing claimants to go through the stress of filling in an application again then told to take a loan to cover costs of food and energy because the Gov decided to change it is cruel.

The UC system is putting claimers into debt and poverty.

The health element is designed to fail claimants with mental health and Neurodiversity.

Why isn't evidence from GP/ consultant / Social worker enough to convince the DWP that a claimer is genuine?

The fact that the UK Government allow the wealthy to avoid taxes and party donors to receive outsourced Gov contracts to profit from whilst targeting benefit claimers / asylum seekers to scapegoat and blame for failed Gov policies... I have no faith and trust in politicans.

The DWP and the private health assessors are not qualified to decide how a claimant with poor mental health is feeling.

I don't see any Westminster politican proving their worth to the tax payers claiming expenses for flying in private planes or council tax on their homes.

What l think that can improve universal credit

* Better support for vulnerable groups of people: Ensure that people with disabilities, health conditions and challenges receive adequate support and a good accommodation.

* increasing the standard allowance: by providing a high standard allowance could help cover some essential expenses.

* Addressing the impact of deductions: To reviewing and adjusting the rules around deductions for dept repayment and could help retain more of the benefits.

* Housing costs: They can also help with housing costs, to prevent homelessness and support stable living arrangements.

* They should reduce the five weeks of waiting: many claimants they struggle financially during the process of waiting.

There needs to be an overhaul of Universal Credit. I’ve always thought that the taper rate at 55 percent of earnings is too high - perhaps change it to 50 percent? The sanctions on Universal Credit should be ended or at least reformed drastically. They should really be a last resort. I have also found the deductions for overpaying quite high. It’s not our fault that they were miscalculated! This needs to be capped at a more manageable amount. When I first claimed UC I found the 5 week wait was too long. It was an extremely tough time for us. I’ve previously had problems with communicating on my journal - human interaction would have been better. UC should also be simpler to navigate - the system is not user friendly for those with learning difficulties or those without digital skills.

I think the following aspects of Universal Credit need to change so that it supports people on a low income, these aspects include; increasing the standard allowance of Universal Credit itself so that it is in line with inflation, as this will also help claimants combat the current cost of living crisis.

I also think that the Government should reduce the taper rate, and offer more flexibility in how payments are made to claimants too.

In addition, I believe that the Government should address the five-week wait for new claimants because this wait drives many families into further poverty, with many having to resort to using foodbanks, as a supplement for not having enough money to live on during this time - or even into debt.

Moreover, I think the Government should ensure easier access to childcare support, and extend benefits like free prescriptions to those on for example, Zero hours contracts or just on a low income in general. It would also be great if the Government would also do this with the Household Support Fund because this could also be beneficial for 'the working poor'.

If I could make one change to improve Universal Credit, it would be removing the five-week wait for the first payment.

That delay pushes people into crisis at the exact moment they’re most vulnerable. Many have no choice but to take an advance, which then leads to deductions and deepens financial pressure in the months that follow. This doesn’t support people — it puts them in debt before they’ve even begun.

In addition, the rate of Universal Credit urgently needs to reflect the current cost of living. With prices rising for essentials like food, housing, and energy, the current payments are simply not enough to live on. People are being forced to make impossible choices, and it’s having a serious impact on mental health.

The constant worry about how to pay bills, feed your family, or just stay afloat takes a toll. It increases anxiety, stress, and depression, and makes it harder to focus on things like work, health, or family life.

Universal Credit is supposed to be a safety net — but right now, it’s adding to people’s struggles. Removing the five-week wait and increasing the rate would go a long way toward restoring dignity, stability, and hope.

I am only able to work infrequently, because of long covid. I am also nominally self-employed, so a regular income from work never happens.

I would like the system to be more equitable for people like me who can only work infrequently: Were I able to work regularly, the first £673 of my income is not deducted from universal credit. If I earned £2k in August, £2k in October and £2k in November, say, I would lose at least three months' universal credit (I am not sure of the exact calculation). Someone earning £500 a month every month would earn the same amount over the year and lose nothing.

I would absolutely love to be able to work regularly again. Five years of long covid has ruled that out. There must be many people in a similar position to mine.

Short term fixes:

- I’m starting a part time Masters degree in September, Universal Credit treats 30% of the Masters Loan as my income and tapers my UC award accordingly but 80% of my loan is used for tuition fees meaning I’m tapered for about £1,000 which in fact is in the bank of my university rather than my pocket. I think the disregard should be either changed to 20% or whatever is left after tuition fees are paid (this could easily be proven as we currently do now with evidence of childcare payments).

- UC tapers your tax (and NICs) income but student loans are deducted BEFORE the taper. Student loans are a de facto tax and should be treated as such for UC purposes.

- we’ve already mentioned to Ali McGovern that UC could use the CCGPS (Childcare Grant Payment System) that Student Finance England use to pay childcare up front to the provider and then invoice us for 15% rather than expect us to fund 100% and claim back 85%. Equally we’d ideally like it to reimburse 100%.

- The other big change would be to make LHA reflect real rents. You won’t find a 2 bed to rent in Newbury cheaper than the £1,200

I pay but LHA is set at £895 for 2 bed and £1,200 for 3 bed!

- Finally, Boris Johnson was (in my humble opinion) a disaster but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. He had an excellent idea to allow UC claimants to claim for mortgage costs not just interest. This would be transformational for aspirations as it would allow UC claimants to access mortgages - particularly for shared ownership - instead of being trapped in the private rented sector. The advantage to the state must surely be clear: as mortgages are paid off the amount the state pays is reduced as opposed to ever rising rents.

Medium term:

- Reduce the taper rate considerably to make work really pay.

Longer term:

- I’ve been doing some thinking on how Uc can better interact with the tax system to avoid those high marginal rates where taper and tax collide. I need more time to properly sketch these out but I do think there are ways to resolve things to make universal credit and tax simpler without a huge increase in government costs.

Good afternoon Stephen ,

Thank you for asking the Big Question, I look forward to answering the questions you have planned to ask.

My answer to your first question......

What Aspects Of Universal Credit Should Be Changed So That It Supports People On Low Incomes Better ?

To better support people on a low income, several aspects of Universal Credit (UC) should be improved.

Firstly, staff at UC offices need better training to ensure they treat claimants as individuals, each with unique circumstances. It is important not to label or judge those on a low income, as many are in difficult situations beyond their control, not of their choosing.

Secondly, UC payments should better reflect the real cost of living. With rising prices for essentials like food, housing, and energy, the current rates often fall short. Increasing the payment rates would help people manage their basic needs without falling into debt or poverty.

Thirdly, more support should be offered for personal development. Providing access to courses, skills training, and business start-up programs would empower individuals to improve their income over time and build more stable futures.

Finally, the system must take health and medical conditions seriously. Many people struggle to work consistently due to physical or mental health challenges. These issues should be properly assessed and not dismissed, ensuring fair and compassionate treatment for all claimants.

Thank you

There are various changes that I think could make universal credit work better for low income families.

Removing the two child cap would be a huge step in reducing child poverty. As would removing the bedroom tax.

Reducing the administrative burden associated with universal credit for working families would be a big help. The endless uploading of evidence is wearing.

One thing that would work for a lot of families is looking at how child care costs are supported.

Rules like not being able to claim for costs paid more than two assessment periods in advance block a lot of claims for care in school holidays where camps/clubs fill up fast.

Top up fees/consumable charges etc are considered optional by universal credit but for places providing childcare these are essential and not optional. This means that I can actually only claim back up to 66% of my childcare costs through universal credit and a lot of people I know have it worse than that.

End the 5 week wait for first payment.

Have the choice to be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly available to everyone, without having to plead and prove a special need.

Raise the level of UC payment so that all over 18s receive the same basic rate.

Allow claims and communications in person, by post and online by everyone without having to plead and prove special need.

I would have benefitted greatly from most of these changes being in place and it would make the claiming and communications process a lot more manageable and less stressful for me. Raising the payments for younger people would go some way to relieve poverty - food and rent doesn't cost less for under 25s. Being paid weekly or fortnightly would make it easier for me to budget and manage bills more confidently.

It would be great if it had a questionnaire that would allow people to answer questions to make sure they are getting the correct benefits, as a seasoned veteran of universal credit trying to make sure I included everything within my claim was not easy at first, but talking with staff with a greater knowledge of UC and their help was invaluable, they explained due to me having a disability and also being a carer I was able to apply for LCWRA via sick notes from the Doctor, also as a carer I was advised to apply for the carers element of Universal Credit, also it would be helpful to explain the amounts taken off your UC for claiming Carers allowance and also if you are working part time. I feel more clarity around this and also around payment of rent etc would be a great way forward for UC.

No. More. Sanctions. We know they don't work. You know they don't work. They place huge stress on other agencies, such as healthcare, charities like foodbanks, and the police and justice system. They cost the taxpayer far, far more, even in just the administration costs(!), than the tiny amounts clawed from the poorest and most vulnerable. Benefits aren't enough to live on as it is - there are no practical, or ethical, justifications for withholding that money.