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🧵 NEW: Our report 'Listen and learn' sets out how the Government should improve Universal Credit (UC) for the 15 million people who rely on it. 13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right. We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇

The 5-week wait remains a design flaw in UC. For many claimants – those on weekly pay or who delayed claiming – it can mean 4+ weeks with NO income. 56% take advances (which need to be repaid) but many are wary of starting their claim "in debt" to government…

UC's rigid monthly assessment punishes workers not paid monthly. A single parent earning £1,200 over 3 months could receive: • £5,079 in UC if paid monthly • £4,975 if paid 4-weekly (£104 less!) • £4,947 if paid irregularly (£131 less!) Same earnings, different outcomes 📉

These rigid assessment periods are especially problematic, given that 1 in 3 lower-paid workers aren't paid monthly ⤵️ Their pay cycles create income volatility when they claim for support through UC. Solution ➡️ Let claimants choose four-weekly rather than monthly assessment periods.

Self-employed UC claimants face unique challenges with the Minimum Income Floor. Volatile earnings can mean lower UC awards than those with stable earnings despite having the same annual income. Our recommendation ➡️ Allow self-employed people to choose 3-monthly rolling assessments.