The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 5.6 million people across the UK are receiving financial support through Universal Credit, a benefit intended to help those out of work or on a low income with daily living costs.
The statistics from January showed a reduction of 65,000 claimants from October 2021 and also revealed that 4.8 million households across the country were receiving Universal Credit payments in November - down 120,000 from August.
That figure is expected to rise this year after changes to the taper rate and work allowance rule in November now means that an estimated 500,000 more people may be eligible for support through Universal Credit. However, many new and existing benefit claimants might not be aware that they could also be entitled to additional support on top of their current claim through Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
