Senior Research Economist Tom Waters gives evidence on the economics of universal credit

Published on 25 February 2020

Overall, universal credit costs the government a similar amount to the legacy benefits system. But it creates lots of winners and losers.

Senior Research Economist Tom Waters has given evidence to peers on the Economic Affairs Committee on the economics of universal credit.

He told the Commitee that overall, universal credit costs the government a similar amount to the legacy benefits system. But it creates lots of winners and losers – about 85% of claimants see a change one way or the other in entitlements, with the number who gain roughly even to the number who lose.

Watch the full session.