
Universal Credit is the UK’s main social security system, which replaced and combined six benefits from 2013. By focusing on promoting all work as good work, Universal Credit is trapping families in poverty.
Universal Credit: Increasing Hunger by Design
Our briefing on Universal Credit sets out the problems with the design, which turn it from a poverty reducing measure to a poverty increasing measure.
In order to reflect the continual changes to Universal Credit, our briefing is being updated regularly. Our briefing was last updated in April 2019.

Applying for and maintaining a Universal Credit claim can be incredibly complex. Are you supporting someone moving onto, or already on, Universal Credit? Find our booklet for supporters here.
Walking Alongside Those on Universal Credit
New claimants of Universal Credit have a mandatory five week waiting time before payments start. This is #5WeeksTooLong.
We are calling on the government to cut the 5 Week Wait and help to lift thousands out of poverty.
Could you write to your MP about Universal Credit?
If your MP replies, find our briefing to help you with some common responses here.
Read our blogs on Universal Credit here:
You can find the Churches’ statement on Universal Credit here.