Our first key finding in our research into the Universal Credit system is that the amount of money given under Universal Credit is insufficient and does not secure the financial position of single-parent families, most of whom are in work, and many of whom struggle to make ends meet. The rules are also confusing and sometimes applied unfairly, which can mean single parents not getting all of the support they need.

Single parents Joe and Zara explain how Universal Credit is insufficient and needs fairer rules.

To ensure that Universal Credit is sufficient and that the rules are fair:

• The DWP must ensure that the basic rate of UC truly reflects the cost of living, looking at annual uprating and the potential to introduce a Essentials Guarantee, which takes into account the specific needs of single parent households 
• The DWP must abolish the two-child limit and benefit cap.

The DWP must use its review of Universal Credit to: 

• reverse the 2023 conditionality rules on lead carers and review conditionality and sanctions rules more widely 
• look at the specific challenges single parents face in accessing UC and how these may be compounded by other factors such as disability, ethnicity or migration status