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There were 5.7M people on Universal Credit in October 2020, a 90% increase since March 2020 https://bit.ly/2LQtx17 . But many people can’t get Universal Credit because their partner has earnings or savings. http://hub.salford.ac.uk/welfare-at-a-social-distance/
As a means-tested benefit, Universal Credit treats couples as one unit. But money may not be shared equally. Having access to some income can be key. So the payment of Universal Credit into one account for couples is highly problematic. https://bit.ly/2NqLx2z
Our latest briefing provides insights into what we know about how money is distributed within the household, and the issues this raises for how social security benefits are designed and delivered. Access it here: https://bit.ly/3p5LC9U
We are holding a webinar later today at which the authors of the briefing will discuss these issues in more detail. There is still time to sign up! https://bit.ly/35ZJs4e . You can also watch the recording later on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2NfS2oG
Couples are often assumed to share income and manage finances jointly. But partners in younger or cohabiting couples may want more independence. And in blended families, managing the money can be more complicated. Who gets what income to begin with is important in itself too.
Equal sharing of resources within couples does not always happen in practice. In low-income families with children, women often have to make the money stretch, and may go without to protect their family. http://wbg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/FINAL-Female-Face-of-Poverty.pdf.
The way Universal Credit works does not guarantee the person in a couple needing the money will get it. Payments are usually made into one account. (In Northern Ireland couples can request separate payments, and Scotland aims to make a payment to each partner more routine).
One Universal Credit payment does not suit all circumstances, or all couples. And it can provide one partner with significantly more financial control than the other, as almost all the eggs are in one basket. https://bit.ly/2NqLx2z
One Universal Credit payment can also make financial abuse easier. In principle, in exceptional cases like financial abuse or mismanagement, payments can be split. But in practice, asking for this may increase the risk of abuse.
1 in 5 adults have said they have experienced some sort of financial abuse. Pregnant and disabled women, and women from some Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, are more likely to experience this type of abuse. https://bit.ly/3p3byTC
Financial abuse is a form of Violence against Women and Girls, which in turn is a cause and consequence of women’s economic inequality. https://wbg.org.uk/analysis/spirals-of-inequality/
For resources on financial abuse and to donate to Surviving Economic Abuse:
https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/about-us/what-we-do/ .
If you are experiencing abuse, or know someone who is, the National Domestic Violence Helpline is at https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/about-us/what-we-do/ .
If you are experiencing abuse, or know someone who is, the National Domestic Violence Helpline is at https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
