‘Universal Credit is meant to be a safety net, but … it does not feel that way‘
Single-parent families are almost twice as likely to live in poverty as couple parents, and many are struggling to make ends meet. We often hear from single parents about the strict conditions, unfair sanctions, and emotional strain caused by the Universal Credit system. The system must be reformed to provide fair and effective support for all.
Below, hear directly from single parents in their own voices. Their stories help reveal the injustices of the current system and show why urgent reform is needed.
Explore the 5 key themes from our report, listen to the voices of those affected and see how their experiences shaped our recommendations.
‘Universal Credit is meant to be a safety net, but … it does not feel that way‘
‘It never felt safe, and left me feeling vulnerable’
‘I jumped through so many hoops…‘
‘I’m deeply anxious and depressed … the only thing that keeps me going is my son, because he has no-one else’
‘There was no support when something went wrong, no-one was able to give me the answers’
Together, we can push the government to create a fairer Universal Credit system for single parents and their children.