The Department for Work and Pensions has clarified the reason behind the massive increase in Universal Credit claims

The Department for Work and Pensions has responded to the sharp surge in Universal Credit claimants over recent years, clarifying that the figures are not what they might appear. Nearly 80% of these new recipients did not submit fresh claims for the benefit.

Since 2022, six legacy benefits have been progressively consolidated into Universal Credit, and the DWP confirmed this accounts for the overwhelming majority of the striking rise in claims. The department posted on X: “Nearly 80% of the increase is people being moved from old benefits onto Universal Credit. Not new claims. A transition we inherited.

“And it’s the same story for those with no work requirements – at least 72% of that increase is legacy benefit claimants moving across.”

In December 2025, the total number of Universal Credit claimants across Britain reached 8.34 million, an increase of almost one million since December 2024. Figures released on Tuesday revealed that more than 775,000 of these individuals had been transferred from legacy benefits.

In short, the considerable rise in Universal Credit recipients since 2022 is largely the result of a managed administrative transfer rather than an emerging pattern suggesting significantly more people are likely to lodge new claims for the benefit going forward. The transition from legacy benefits to Universal Credit has been progressing through a managed migration process, reports the Express.

Those affected were issued migration notices and given the opportunity to transfer their claim to Universal Credit with Transitional Protection before their existing benefits ceased.

Legacy benefits being moved to Universal Credit:

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Certain benefits, such as Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits, have already officially come to an end. The Government expects the final stages of the migration to be concluded by the end of March.

The managed migration process commences when an individual receives their migration notice. This will include their own personal deadline by which they must apply for Universal Credit in order to receive Transitional Protection, which guarantees they will not be left financially worse off under the new system.

For instance, if someone was receiving £600 a month from Tax Credits but only qualifies for £400 from Universal Credit under standard eligibility rules, the Transitional Protection will supplement this with an additional £200. However, should you miss the deadline stated in your migration notice, you will forfeit any entitlement to Transitional Protection.

Those unable to meet the deadline outlined in their migration notice may also be eligible for reasonable adjustments from the DWP. These could include extended deadlines or the appointment of representatives for individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs.

Earlier this month, Sir Stephen Timms disclosed that more than 150 Complex Case Coaches have been mobilised to offer tailored support, collaborating with local safeguarding teams for especially vulnerable individuals.