The Universal Credit Conference 2026

Supporters Include:

Overview

Agenda

• 9.00am

  Registration

• 9.50am

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Adele Atkinson, Professor of Practice in Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, CHASM, University of Birmingham (CONFIRMED)

  

• 10.00am

  Keynote: Building Financial Resilience and Local Anti-Poverty Strategies

  • Examining why Universal Credit alone cannot always prevent financial crisis
  • Understanding the role of Local Welfare Assistance, the Crisis and Resilience Fund and other crisis support mechanisms
  • Exploring how local authorities are responding to rising hardship and supporting vulnerable households
  • Discussing how local anti-poverty strategies can complement Universal Credit and improve long-term financial resilience
  • Looking ahead to the future of crisis funding and the implications for local communities

  Penny Rimmer, Senior Policy Officer, Resolve Poverty (CONFIRMED)

  Izzie Salter, PHD Intern, Resolve Poverty (CONFIRMED)

  

• 10.20am

  Keynote: Navigating the Job Market with Universal Credit Recipients

  • Tackling obstacles to employment for recipients, such as childcare accessibility, inaccessibility to technology, limited transport and lack of opportunity
  • Offering training to Universal Credit claimants to develop relevant and transferable skills in line with their qualifications
  • Creating partnerships with local businesses to identify recruitment needs and create entry-level employment positions
  • Providing claimants with personal support from a work coach to assist a move into work, find a better job or build a career

  Susan Paterson, Executive Director,  Fedcap Employment (CONFIRMED)

  

• 10.40am

  Questions & Answers

• 11.00am

  Comfort Break

• 11.20am

  Keynote: Disability Support and Health Elements in Universal Credit

  • Examining recent research showing how cuts to PIP and Universal Credit will affect disabled households
  • Discussing the implications of halving the new Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity for new claimants
  • Outlining how the forthcoming review of PIP assessment and eligibility criteria will shape access to support for claimants with complex needs
  • Identifying best practice for local advisers supporting claimants through reassessment and benefit planning

  Evan John, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor, Sense (CONFIRMED)

  

• 11.40am

  Keynote: Universal Credit, Food Banks and an ‘Essentials Guarantee’

  • Examining the relationship between Universal Credit design and food bank demand, including how payment delays and deductions drive the need for emergency support
  • Discussing how current benefit levels compare to the cost of essentials and the role this plays in driving hunger and hardship
  • Analysis of recent policy changes, including the removal of the Two-Child Limit, and the impact on food bank need
  • Exploring future policy responses, such as an ‘Essentials Guarantee’ and how to reduce the need for food banks through changes to Universal Credit design

  Beatrice Orchard, Head of Programme (Social Security and Work), Trussell Trust (CONFIRMED)

  

• 12.00pm

  Questions & Answers

• 12.20pm

  Lunch Break

• 1.10pm

  Keynote: 2026 Universal Credit Policy Updates

  • Developing an understanding of how the proposed removal of the two-child limit in 2026 will financially boost household incomes and reduce child poverty
  • Outlining the latest Westminster welfare reforms that uprate the Universal Credit standard allowance above inflation and introduce new protections for severely disabled claimants
  • Discussing how Universal Credit conditions apply across claimant cohorts, particularly single parents and disabled people
  • Examining how changes to Universal Credit rates and eligibility interact with local authority delivery pressures

  Debbie Abrahams MP, Chair, Work and Pensions Committee (CONFIRMED)

  

• 1.30pm

  Keynote: Post-Migration Universal Credit Support

  • The complexity within the benefits system
  • The role of stigma within the social security system and its impact on engagement with Universal Credit
  • Increasing take-up of Universal Credit

  Thomas Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, Turn2Us (CONFIRMED)

  

• 1.50pm

  Questions & Answers

• 2.10pm

  Breakout Networking:

  An interactive networking session enabling delegates to connect with peers, speakers and leaders to discuss shared challenges and emerging trends in Universal Credit delivery. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange insights and explore opportunities for collaboration.

• 2.40pm

  Comfort Break

• 3.00pm

  Case Study: Dying in Poverty: Navigating End-of-Life Support in the Benefits System

  • Discussing the reality of dying in poverty with rising costs and lost income and the impact on patient and families
  • Exploring access to financial support at end of life, including Special Rules for End of Life, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal Credit and the challenges around delays and eligibility
  • Highlighting gaps in the system, including inconsistent identification of people nearing end of life and the complexity of navigating multiple benefits systems
  • Identifying opportunities for reform, such as earlier support and better integration between the health and the welfare system

  Becca Stacey, Senior Policy Manager, Financial Security, Marie Curie (CONFIRMED)

  

• 3.20pm

  Case Study: Rethinking Welfare: The Case for Universal Basic Income

  • Exploring the economic rationale behind Universal Basic Income and its potential to reshape the welfare system
  • Analysing potential key outcomes and challenges of Universal Basic Income
  • Comparing Universal Basic Income with alternative social welfare approaches across different policy contexts
  • Assessing media reactions to Universal Basic Income

  Rajiv Prabhakar, Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance, Open University (CONFIRMED)

  

• 3.40pm

  Keynote: Supporting Vulnerable Residents with Benefits and Universal Credit

  • Identifying the barriers that Universal Credit can create for residents with complex needs
  • Recognising early warning signs of rent arrears
  • Sharing approaches to tenancy sustainment  and homelessness prevention
  • Strengthening partnership working between housing providers and local authorities

  Paul Narraway, Team Leader, Adullam Homes Housing Association (CONFIRMED)

  

• 4.00pm

  Questions & Answers

• 4.20pm

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  Adele Atkinson, Professor of Practice in Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, CHASM, University of Birmingham (CONFIRMED)

  

• 4.25pm

  Conference Close 

Get in Touch

Speakers

Penny Rimmer

Senior Policy Officer

Resolve Poverty

Dr Rajiv Prabhakar

Senior Lecturer In Personal Finance

The Open University

Adele Atkinson

Professor of Practice in Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, CHASM

University of Birmingham

Evan John

Policy and Public Affairs Advisor

Sense

Susan Paterson

Executive Director

Fedcap Employment

Beatrice Orchard

Head of Programmes

Trussell Trust

Thomas Lawson

Chief Executive Officer

Turn2Us

Becca Stacey

Senior Policy Manager, Financial Security

Marie Curie

Testimonials

Why You Should Attend?

✓ Gain insights from high-level keynotes by leading organisations on the latest Universal Credit guidance and policy updates

✓ Explore case studies highlighting best practice in supporting low-income and vulnerable families

✓ Engage with a wide range of topics, including improving financial guidance, navigating employment pathways, and improving support for financially vulnerable households

✓ Network with speakers and senior professionals, building connections and sharing experiences across the sectors

✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

Who Should Attend?

Pricing Options

Sponsorship

Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business

If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us using the enquiry form below.

IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.

Virtual vs F2F

Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:

• Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
• Lower sponsorship package costs
• No travel/accommodation
• Less time out of the office
• No stand materials required (lower costs)
• 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
• Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
• Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
• Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)

To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below: