Universal credit claimants hit record high
Number of people claiming Universal Credit up 1.1 million in a single year
- Universal Credit claimants reached a record eight million in July 2025, marking the highest level since the benefit's introduction in 2013.
- This figure represents a significant surge of over one million people in a single year, up from 6.9 million claimants in July of the previous year.
- The steep rise was almost entirely driven by an increase of one million people not required to work, bringing that category to 3.7 million claimants.
- Universal Credit is a payment designed to assist with living costs for individuals in low-income employment, out of work, or unable to work.
- The Labour Government has said it inherited a "broken welfare system" and is working on reforms, including tightening rules on who can claim Universal Credit.