Research and analysis

Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

This report presents insights on four groups of Universal Credit claimants who face additional barriers accessing the labour market.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 30 October 2025

Documents

Research Summary: Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

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Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-892-9, 1112

HTML

Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78659-892-9, 1112

PDF, 1.52 MB, 109 pages

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Technical Report: Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

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Disadvantaged groups survey - main survey data tables

ODS, 1.44 MB

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Disadvantaged groups survey - incidence data tables

ODS, 253 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

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Details

The Department for Work and Pensions commissioned this survey to provide new insights on Universal Credit claimants with one or more of the following experiences: care experience, ex-offender, homelessness and substance dependency.

These groups have lower employment rates and often experience additional barriers and disadvantage in accessing the labour market. The Get Britain Working white paper sets out an ambition of an 80% employment rate. To achieve this will involve supporting people with more complex needs into work.

Contribution to the evidence base

This research provides new understanding on the incidence of each of the four groups in the Universal Credit claimant population, their barriers and attitudes towards work, and support needs.

Research value

Findings from this research will be used by the Department for Work and Pensions to inform the design of polices and services for these groups.

Published 30 October 2025