As the school holidays draw to a close, some of the financial stress families in the UK have felt over the past few weeks may begin to lift. However, for many households, the cost of living remains a daily hardship, with prices rising faster than incomes. The Cost-of-Living Predicament Despite inflation returning to levels seen…
In a significant case of benefits fraud, a man recently admitted to fraudulently claiming nearly £170,000 in Universal Credit by impersonating dozens of individuals. Although this refers to a real case, our focus here is on understanding the scheme in depth and learning what it reveals about vulnerabilities in the welfare system. Overview of the…
Millions of benefit recipients and Universal Credit claimants could see their modest £10 Christmas bonus upgraded to £118, if inflation-linked reform wins approval. The annual tax‑free bonus, in place since 1972, has lost its festive cheer as soaring living costs render it tokenistic. Background: A Bonus Frozen in Time Why the Push for £118 Makes…