Universal Credit Payments for Parents to Increase by Almost 50%

Universal Credit (UC) payments for parents will increase by almost 50% from June 28, according to the UK government.

Parents will now be able to claim £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children, up from £646 and £1,108 respectively.

The changes will allow parents to receive 85% of their payments upfront, rather than waiting to reclaim the costs as benefits.

This is part of a broader package of childcare support aimed at boosting the UK's lagging productivity levels by helping parents return to work.

The Department for Work and Pensions also plans to expand childcare funding by £4bn, with the largest portion going towards increasing the number of children eligible for free care.

The shadow children's minister criticized the government for piling pressure on a broken system without a plan to increase the workforce.