In May 2019, “John S.” was eager to work again after a period of illness, and found a job at a garden center in Newcastle. But he ran into financial problems almost as soon as he started work. The government’s flaw method for calculating Universal Credit started causing unpredictable fluctuations in his payments. “I am behind on my rent, my Council Tax, my water [bill] is in arrears”, John said. “I am £2500 in debt because of Universal Credit.”
© 2020 Samer Muscati/Human Rights Watch