Changes to the benefits system: Why one charity is asking for change

What changes are being made to Universal Credit?

Transcript

00:00As of Monday, May 13th, people claiming Universal Credit are now expected to work at least 18

00:06hours per week. This new rule came in as part of broader reforms to the welfare system that

00:11the government announced in April. Work and Pension Secretary Mel Stride said this comes

00:17as the government look to radically expand support available to help people on their

00:21journey off benefits. But national charity Turn to Us has urged the government to reconsider

00:27this policy. The charity has warned that the change could have a, quote, drastic impact

00:32on people with long-term health conditions or irregular incomes. In a revealing YouGov

00:37poll, nearly two-thirds of UK adults described the benefits system as being overly confusing

00:42and difficult to navigate. The findings went on to report that the total amount of unclaimed

00:48income-related benefits and other support has risen to almost £23 billion a year. This

00:53comes as a 21% rise on the previous year, which is thought to highlight how families

00:58could be missing out on vital support.