Students sat working at a desk

Universal Credit, Good
Work and Progression 

This project will look at the effect of Universal Credit on the quality of work and earnings of claimants.   

Research Summary  

October 2023 – September 2026 

Universal Credit (UC) has brought significant changes to how the government interacts with individuals living on low incomes. It has introduced requirements for job search activity and for low-paid claimants to seek to increase their earnings. 

Both out-of-work and in-work claimants subject to conditionality must work with Department for Work and Pensions’ work coaches to fulfil requirements such as work-focused interviews, work preparation, or job searches. Failure to meet these conditions can result in sanctions.   

However, little is known about the interactions between claimants and work coaches, and the consequences for quality of work and career progression. This project will provide new evidence on:  

  • The nature of, and variation in, UC employment support provided to out-of-work and in-work claimants.  
  • How the out-of-work and in-work experience of UC employment support affects claimants’ progression prospects and job quality, including their relationship with employers.  
  • The policy changes needed to increase the likelihood of claimants securing and sustaining good work with prospects for progression.  

The research will be completed in two phases:  

  1. a longitudinal survey of recent UC claimants will collect quantitative data about their experiences of employment support and their employment outcomes.  
  1. qualitative longitudinal research will be undertaken with claimants in the Greater Manchester and West Midlands to provide a more granular insight into the complex realities of people’s lives and their dynamic with the state and employers. Perspectives on job quality and progression will be sought from one-to-one interviews with frontline employment support advisers, and the policy and delivery implications of the research explored in focus groups with policy and practice stakeholders.  

Research team 

Professor Ashwin Kumar 
Dr Katy Jones 
Professor Anne Green, University of Birmingham 
Professor Paul Sissons, Keele University 
Dr Ruth Webber

Related news and outputs  

Universal Credit, good work and progression – Nuffield Foundation

Partners and funding 

Nuffield foundation logo

 Project enquiries 

Ashwin Kumar A.Kumar@mmu.ac.uk