Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State

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Factual: Life Stories

Following the designers of the new benefit system, Jobcentres staff and the claimants.

Following the people designing the new benefit system, the staff in Jobcentres and the claimants living on Universal Credit.

Series 1

Sarah Waldron

Tom Swingler

Chris McLaughlin

Dan Howell

Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State: Series 1: Episode 2

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Episode 2

BBC Two - Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State, Series 1, Episode 2

At Toxteth jobcentre, manager Gemma is under pressure.

At Toxteth jobcentre, manager Gemma is under pressure to ensure her staff meet new claimants every week until they get a job - but with too few staff and too many claimants, it is proving difficult.

Universal Credit is the biggest change to the benefits system in a generation. By 2023, nearly 7 million people will be claiming it. But it has been controversial, with critics arguing the new system of advances and monthly payments is causing hardship and pushing people into poverty. With unprecedented access to the Department for Work and Pensions, this three-part series for BBC Two follows people designing the new benefit system, the staff in Jobcentres, and the claimants living on Universal Credit.
 
The second part of the series follows the staff and claimants at Toxteth jobcentre in Liverpool, where 45,000 people are already living on Universal Credit. The Jobcentre is the busiest in the city and manager Gemma is under pressure to ensure her staff meet most new claimants every week until they get a job - but with too few staff and too many claimants, it is proving difficult.

Having recently been made redundant, 62-year-old Sue struggles with the new system. She has to look for work for 35 hours a week and regularly attend meetings at the Jobcentre - if she doesn’t, her benefits might be reduced. And staff member Jules tries to help 22-year-old Laryssa with a residency test to prove she is entitled to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State: Series 1

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Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State

Series 1

Episode 2

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