Universal Credit
Campaigners call for action to fix 'absurd' universal credit flaws stopping vulnerable people getting help managing benefits
Campaigners have called on the Government to fix "absurd flaws" with the benefits system that prevent vulnerable people from getting help from family and friends to manage their Universal Credit accounts. Without this help, campaigners warn claimants ultimately risk losing their benefits.
26 May 2021
Budget 2021: Universal credit £20/week uplift to continue for a further six months
Universal credit claimants will continue to get a £20/week uplift to their payments for a further six months, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed in his Budget 2021 today.
3 March 2021
Martin Lewis: 'Big cut in universal credit for many self-employed coming on 13 November – contact your MP if hit'
MSE founder Martin Lewis has warned of the "sinkhole" waiting for many self-employed people in November, when the planned return of the universal credit "minimum income floor" rule could slash payments, as they'll be assumed to have more income than they do
27 October 2020
New pension credit rules could cost some with younger partners £7,000 a year
Pensioners who live in a couple will only be able to make a new claim for pension credit when both partners are over the state pension age, under new rules to come into effect in May
15 January 2019
Budget 2018: What you need to know, incl changes to tax, benefits, Premium Bonds & more
Read our full round-up of the Chancellor Philip Hammond's 2018 Budget
30 October 2018
Budget 2018: Universal credit work allowance increased
Universal credit work allowances are to increase by £1,000 a year for working families and those with disabilities, meaning an extra £630 a year in their pockets, the Chancellor revealed today.
29 October 2018
Fifth of universal credit claimants still paid late
A fifth of universal credit claimants are still receiving their first payment late, a new report reveals
15 June 2018
Autumn Budget 2017: Universal credit to be paid out earlier
Universal credit claimants will no longer have to wait six weeks before receiving their first payout
22 November 2017
Universal credit helpline charges to be scrapped
Charges of up to 55p a minute for calls to a universal credit helpline are to be scrapped
18 October 2017
Victory for graduates as PM pledges to raise student loan repayment threshold
Prime Minister Theresa May has said that the student loan repayment threshold will be increased
1 October 2017
Suggest a Story
Got a money-related news story that affects you?
15 September 2021
-
SIX banks now pay you to switch
Incl Santander's new FREE £130
-
Shift debt to 27 months 0%
At essentially NO FEE
-
New. Not great at saving?
Chip auto-save app does it for you at 0.7%
-
30 Amazon hacks
Incl free Deliveroo delivery
-
Martin's energy warning
'Your bill is about to JUMP by £100s'
-
£40 cashback for investing £400
If you plan to 'robo-invest'
-
500,000+ water-saving FREEBIES
Eg, £20 shower heads and £5 tap inserts.
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!
-
PCR tests to be scrapped for fully vaccinated travellers returning to England in October
17 September 2021![]()
Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test before they depart for England from 4 October. In addition, they'll only need to take a cheaper lateral flow test on arrival to England from later next month under an overhaul to the 'traffic light' travel system. Eight destinations will also come off the red list from 22 September. -
Coronavirus Travel Rights
17 September 2021![]()
The coronavirus outbreak is causing major travel disruption around the globe -
Latest coronavirus 'traffic light' travel update due this week
16 September 2021![]()
The next update of the coronavirus 'traffic light' travel system, used to govern the action holidaymakers take when they return to the UK from overseas, is due to take place this week. This will provide the latest information on which destinations will feature on the Government's 'green', 'amber' and 'red' travel lists. -
Teletext Holidays to pay out £7m in outstanding refunds - here's how to make a claim
16 September 2021![]()
Teletext Holidays and its sister company Alpharooms have agreed to refund £7 million to thousands of customers still waiting to get their money back after their package holidays were cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. Here's how to make a claim. -
'I'm self-employed but confused about whether I can claim the fifth grant' – Unsure? Here's what you need to know
16 September 2021![]()
100s of self-employed people are confused about what constitutes being “adversely affected” by coronavirus, we have some helpful scenarios to work out where you stand, as well as HMRC’s guidance.
-
Is it time to ban Christmas presents?
14 September 2021![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: Why you shouldn't worry too much about your credit score – it’s not actually a real thing
14 June 2021![]()
When it comes to finances, numbers are key – whether it's what you earn, your credit card balance or the interest rate on your mortgage, small changes can add up to a big difference. Yet there's one number you shouldn't pay too much attention to – your credit score.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
