Universal Credit: Improving the Experience of Universal Credit Claimants

Universal Credit is currently claimed by more than 5.8 million people in England, Scotland and Wales, both in and out of work. Although a useful tool for many, it has been highlighted by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) that the system is not doing enough to keep people out of poverty, particularly children.

Sophie Howes is the Head of Policy at the Child Poverty Action Group, leading the CPAG’s policy work on a range of issues including social security, education, work, and childcare.

Sophie has worked on a range of social justice issues in both the public and voluntary sectors. She has had roles as Policy and Programmes Manager at the British Institute of Human Rights, and as a Senior Advocate at Victoria Legal Aid in Australia, working with people who have been detained for mental health treatment.

In this session from the Universal Credit Conference, 2021, Sophie discussed a range of issues impacting the social security of people across the UK. She outlined the CPAG’s recommendations for amending the Universal Credit system to ensure that fewer families are slipping below the poverty line.