Universal Credit is now claimed by 8.3 million people in the UK but 622,000 people were sanctioned by the DWP between February 2024 and July 2025
More than half a million people saw their Universal Credit payments cut or stopped in the past 17 months, according to latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures.
A total of 622,000 people were sanctioned by the DWP between February 2024 and July 2025. Of this figure, more than 561,630 people had their claim stopped or reduce because they didn’t attend mandatory interviews with work coaches at Jobcentres.
Another 18,900 were sanctioned for missing employment programmes, and 9,380 had their payments reduced after they did not provide a valid reason for quitting a job.
Universal Credit payments can be stopped or reduced if you fail to follow your claimant commitment. Your claimant commitment is an agreement you accept when you sign up for Universal Credit and it outlines the tasks you must do to receive your payments.
This can include preparing for work or increasing your earnings if you are already employed. If you fail to do the tasks outlined in your “claimant commitment” then your Universal Credit can be stopped.
Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance, which is the basic amount you get before any additional elements – for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness – or any deductions are taken into account.
If you work, there is a taper rate which reduces your maximum Universal Credit payment as your earnings increase. The taper rate is 55% which means 55p is deducted from your maximum Universal Credit payment for every £1 you earn.
Some people get a “work allowance” which is a set amount you can earn before your Universal Credit is reduced. The “work allowance” is worth £411 a month if you also receive help with housing costs, and £684 a month if you don’t.
Your eligibility for Universal Credit is based on your personal circumstances, including your age, if you live with anyone, your relationship status, income, savings, and sometimes your physical and mental health.
If your circumstances change, then it is your job to inform the DWP – otherwise you could end up being overpaid Universal Credit and you may have to pay this money back. This is usually done through deductions to your future Universal Credit payments.
According to GOV.UK, some of the changes you may have to report include:
- Finding or finishing a job
- Having a child
- Moving in with your partner
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Changing your mobile number or email address
- Moving to a new address
- Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- Changing your bank details
- Your rent going up or down
- Changes to your health condition
- Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
- If a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life
- Changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
