The 3 big questions for the government — Political parties, think tanks and charities continue to debate the future of Universal Credit. Despite the proposed solutions often being radically different, there’s a fairly broad consensus that more changes need to be made. Once the rollout is complete, 7 million households will receive the new benefit. It has to…

Independent, tailored support to make an initial claim — Universal Credit is the biggest welfare reform we’ve seen. When it’s fully rolled out, around 7 million households will be on the benefit in a huge variety of situations — those looking for work, those in low income work, and those who are unable to work. For Universal Credit to…

The new benefit works for many but fixes are needed so everyone is paid on time — Universal Credit has been back in the news over the past couple of weeks, after the National Audit Office highlighted a number of delivery challenges with the system. These challenges were inevitable — Universal Credit is the biggest change ever to the welfare system and affects around 7 million people…

We help people with hundreds of thousands of employment problems every year — so we’re calling for a Fair Work Authority — Employment problems are the fourth biggest issue affecting our clients. Last year we helped 165,000 people with 330,000 work-related issues — and we’ve long called for measures to improve income security, especially for those at the sharp end of insecure work practices. Despite people considering income security to be as…

This month the Chancellor will deliver his Budget. These 3 changes could make a difference to the success of Universal Credit — This week Parliament turns its attention back to Universal Credit — with both Peers and MPs debating the issue on Thursday. This scrutiny is essential. Universal Credit is a benefit that will affect around 7 million households by the time it’s fully implemented. …

We need a comprehensive approach to tackling exploitation and ensuring people can use their rights — The spotlight has well and truly been on the quality of work in the UK for the last couple of weeks. From the launch of the Matthew Taylor review to the extensive coverage of the BBC’s gender pay gap and now to the release of a new report from the…

The government should pause — and learn the lessons of major welfare reforms — Last week we called for a pause to the rollout of Universal Credit. This is not because we disagree with the policy’s aims. If done well, it will simplify an overly complicated system and make it easier for people to move into work. But as things stand, Universal Credit could…

The new government shouldn’t delay in taking action on insecure work — Over the last year, Citizens Advice helped 200,000 people with 340,000 issues relating to employment. We’ve done extensive research on the topic, from looking at the disability employment gap to income security and sharp practice at work. The rise of the gig economy presents plenty of benefits such as flexibility…

By the 2022 election 7 million households across the income scale are expected to sign up for Universal Credit. The next government must fix the flaws to ensure that Universal Credit meets its aims Away from the spotlight of Brexit there is one government reform that will be an issue…