We want the Government to change Universal Credit so that any earnings of a second parent in a couple do not reduce the overall family’s payment. The current policy discourages people from taking up work.
React
Members can read every reason.
Include Child Maintenance as Income in Universal Credit and Means-Tested Benefit
Child maintenance payment is not counted as income for Universal Credit, allowing some to receive maintenance payments and benefits. At the same time, paying parents must meet their obligations even where those payments reduce their overall household income below the Universal Credit threshold.
Equalise maternity allowance with statutory pay & don’t reduce Universal Credit
We urge the Government to equalise maternity, paternity and adoption allowances with statutory maternity pay for self-employed workers and ensure that maternity allowance pay does not reduce Universal Credit pay. We believe families shouldn’t be penalised for being self-employed.
End the practice of combining couples' Universal Credit into a single payment
Change how couples payments work to protect people who are in a relationship with an abusive partner. Currently Universal Credit pays couples into one account rather than two separate accounts. This can enable more abuse as the victim wouldn't be able to easily and safely escape an abusive partner
Equalise the child benefit with UC child element & expand eligibility
Raise the child benefit for full-time working parents with mortgages to match the Universal Credit child element and expand Universal Credit eligibility to include homeowners with mortgages, treating mortgage costs similarly to rent.
Lower universal credit earnings threshold (the AET) for single parents
Many single parents are struggling to find more hours or new jobs that work around school holidays, resulting in pressure from the job centre with weekly phone calls / meetings. It is difficult to find holiday clubs for over 5’s in many areas which adds more pressure on the parent.
We want the Government to change Universal Credit so that any earnings of a second parent in a couple do not reduce the overall family’s payment. The current policy discourages people from taking up work.
React
Members can read every reason.
Include Child Maintenance as Income in Universal Credit and Means-Tested Benefit
Child maintenance payment is not counted as income for Universal Credit, allowing some to receive maintenance payments and benefits. At the same time, paying parents must meet their obligations even where those payments reduce their overall household income below the Universal Credit threshold.
Equalise maternity allowance with statutory pay & don’t reduce Universal Credit
We urge the Government to equalise maternity, paternity and adoption allowances with statutory maternity pay for self-employed workers and ensure that maternity allowance pay does not reduce Universal Credit pay. We believe families shouldn’t be penalised for being self-employed.
End the practice of combining couples' Universal Credit into a single payment
Change how couples payments work to protect people who are in a relationship with an abusive partner. Currently Universal Credit pays couples into one account rather than two separate accounts. This can enable more abuse as the victim wouldn't be able to easily and safely escape an abusive partner
Equalise the child benefit with UC child element & expand eligibility
Raise the child benefit for full-time working parents with mortgages to match the Universal Credit child element and expand Universal Credit eligibility to include homeowners with mortgages, treating mortgage costs similarly to rent.
Lower universal credit earnings threshold (the AET) for single parents
Many single parents are struggling to find more hours or new jobs that work around school holidays, resulting in pressure from the job centre with weekly phone calls / meetings. It is difficult to find holiday clubs for over 5’s in many areas which adds more pressure on the parent.