Rolling out UK Universal Credit in a context of austerity: Is it going to work?

The ESPN Flash Reports are produced by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) established in 2014 to provide the European Commission with independent information, analysis and expertise on social policies. The topics presented in the Flash Reports are identified by ESPN experts in the light of significant developments in their countries, or in some cases suggested by the Commission.

The ESPN is managed by LISER and APPLICA, with the support of OSE - European Social Observatory. For more information, please visit this website.
Universal Credit, the major reform in the UK to benefits for people who are on a low income in or out of work, rolls out digitally in stages from May 2016. It was part of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 but only about 225,000 individuals are now receiving it. Even if the digital scheme works, critics argue that the original concept has been undermined by cuts in its level for many people.

Authors: Jonathan Bradshaw and Fran Bennett