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Universal Credit Claimants Surge: 4 Million Exempt from Work

11/11/2025

47 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Department for Work and Pensions reported four million Universal Credit claimants are not required to work as of October, representing 48.7% of claimants.
Total Universal Credit claimants rose to 8.3 million, up 159,654 this month—the largest since June 2020.
The Department for Work and Pensions noted that 84.3% of claimants are British or Irish nationals.
The DWP is focusing on transitioning people from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

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Story summary

The Department for Work and Pensions reported four million Universal Credit claimants are not required to work as of October, representing 48.7% of claimants.
Total Universal Credit claimants rose to 8.3 million, up 159,654 this month—the largest since June 2020.
The Department for Work and Pensions noted that 84.3% of claimants are British or Irish nationals.
The DWP is focusing on transitioning people from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.