The history of Universal Credit.

The history of Universal Credit in the UK can be traced back to the early 2000s when the idea of a single, simplified benefit system was first proposed. In 2010, the coalition government announced its plans to introduce Universal Credit as part of its welfare reform agenda. The goal was to simplify the complex and fragmented benefits system, reduce fraud and error, and incentivize work.

The first pilot of Universal Credit was launched in April 2013 in selected areas of the North West of England. However, the roll-out of the full service was beset by problems, including IT issues and delays in processing claims, which led to significant criticism from stakeholders.

In 2016, the government announced a slower and more cautious approach to the roll-out of Universal Credit, which initially focused on single claimants before being gradually extended to families and other groups. Despite the slower pace, the government remained committed to the full implementation of Universal Credit, which was completed in December 2018.

Since its introduction, Universal Credit has been the subject of much debate and criticism. Some have praised the system for its simplicity and incentivizing work, while others have criticized it for causing hardship and financial difficulties for many claimants, particularly those with disabilities and mental health issues.

In recent years, the government has made a number of changes to Universal Credit in response to these concerns, including increasing the level of advance payments and reducing the waiting time for the first payment. However, the ongoing impact of Universal Credit on those who receive it remains a matter of ongoing debate and concern.