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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think saving on Universal Credit is extremely difficult?

663 replies

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 20:42

It feels like Universal Credit doesn’t really leave much room for saving once basic living costs are covered. I know in theory people say to put even small amounts aside but in practice it seems very difficult when most of the money goes on essentials.

AIBU to think there’s very little opportunity to build savings on UC?

OP posts:
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5
Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 22:22

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 22:13

If someone is earning enough to be taxed at a high rate complains they have nothing left over to save then they are shit at budgeting.
That is a problem they have, and is fuck all to do with people on benefits.

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You've ignored my point of course. because its inconvenient for you to accept the truth. Benefits aren't a savings account for people on benefits. The benefits bill is bigger than income tax revenue. That is not going to end well.

  • i.e. the state is spending more on those not working than it raises from those who are.
ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 22:21

Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 22:09

People pay taxes. a huge proportion of which goes on the benefits bill. Benefits aren't a source of savings for people on benefits. They're supposed to be a 'safety net'. I'm sure people paying high taxes would rather be able to save more too, but they often can't, because they're paying high taxes for people on benefits. Not to build up other peoples savings accounts.

UK spending on "welfare" (benefits and pensions in 2013-14 was 11.7% of GDP, 27.5% of total expenditure.

In 2023-4 the figures were 11.18% and 25.13% respectively.

In 2029-30 they are predicted to be 11.14% and 25.06% respectively.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2024

So nobody needs to panic. Nobody needs to be silly. Nobody needs to scaremonger. Everything is perfectly stable.

Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2024

Historic and forecast benefit expenditure and caseload data usually consistent with the annual spring and autumn Budgets or Statements.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2024

Original poster
FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 22:20

nicewarmmess · 28/04/2026 22:14

Is that not the point?

If you mean benefits being designed to cover basics only, perhaps. My point is that having no realistic room to build even a tiny emergency buffer can leave people permanently financially vulnerable.

OP posts:
Original poster
FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 22:20

Pessismistic · 28/04/2026 22:14

It can be very challenging for 2 people working full time what if you need a filling a working person has to pay out 60 odd quid or new glasses do you have to pay for either of these?

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I agree - many working households are also under huge pressure and can struggle to build any buffer, especially when unexpected costs crop up. My point wasn’t that this is unique to people on Universal Credit, only that for many on UC the room to save can be extremely limited too. Financial fragility exists across the board, which is part of the wider issue.

OP posts:
Sensiblesal · 28/04/2026 22:18

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:14

Not people on benefits fault your crap with money if your income was that low you would be entitled to uc

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Thats a bit harsh without knowing someones circumstances. I’d say there are a whole host of people who are just above the limits for UC or not entitled cos they don’t have hoardes of kids they can’t afford. Its not always about being bad with money…

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:16

Pessismistic · 28/04/2026 22:14

It can be very challenging for 2 people working full time what if you need a filling a working person has to pay out 60 odd quid or new glasses do you have to pay for either of these?

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Yes and yes I pay dentist and opticians being on uc doesn't mean you get these things for free

nicewarmmess · 28/04/2026 22:14

Is that not the point?

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:14

Newyearawaits · 28/04/2026 22:11

Important to acknowledge that there are people who aren't on uc who have no savings and living on the edge.
I have spent the majority of my working life in this situation.

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Not people on benefits fault your crap with money if your income was that low you would be entitled to uc

Sensiblesal · 28/04/2026 22:14

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 20:50

That’s not really the point I was making. I wasn’t saying benefits should leave people able to build significant savings, just that having little to no room to put aside even a small emergency buffer can leave people permanently on the edge financially.

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Surely its up to you to improve the situation & provide your own buffer not rely on the government to do it.

I’ll echo what others are saying its meant to be a basic income not to be saved but I do agree with your sentiment.

its so easy to get trapped in a desperate and vicious cycle of living on the breadline & not being able to fix/replace things that need fixing. Once in there it can be hard to escape

Pessismistic · 28/04/2026 22:14

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 21:49

That’s a genuinely helpful suggestion for anyone with even a little room to save. My point was more that for many people on Universal Credit, finding even that little bit of room can be the challenge.

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It can be very challenging for 2 people working full time what if you need a filling a working person has to pay out 60 odd quid or new glasses do you have to pay for either of these?

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 22:14

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 28/04/2026 22:12

as I thought

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Ok. Good Night.

DreamyScroller · 28/04/2026 22:13

People piping up with 'it's not designed to be saved' or 'should be bare minimum until you get a job again' are simply not thinking things through.

The OP is not suggesting that there should be plenty left each month to put into a big fat savings account for a fancy holiday.

She is making the point that, if people are unable to save even a little and can barely cover outgoings, then they will be less likely to ever escape the cycle of poverty.

Everyone needs a buffer for emergencies, change of circumstances, etc or they end up in crisis and / or debt when unexpected and unavoidable costs crop up.

Lookingdownthebarrell · 28/04/2026 22:13

There are threads on here where people have talked about how to save and on what and got some helpful responses. Maybe tell us what you get and what you spend on so there could be some practical suggestions on making savings.

Your header suggests you want to discuss a different topic, I.e that UC is not enough to make savings.

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 22:13

Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 22:09

People pay taxes. a huge proportion of which goes on the benefits bill. Benefits aren't a source of savings for people on benefits. They're supposed to be a 'safety net'. I'm sure people paying high taxes would rather be able to save more too, but they often can't, because they're paying high taxes for people on benefits. Not to build up other peoples savings accounts.

If someone is earning enough to be taxed at a high rate complains they have nothing left over to save then they are shit at budgeting.
That is a problem they have, and is fuck all to do with people on benefits.

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:12

DrCoconut · 28/04/2026 22:11

The Tories really knew what they were doing there, pitting people against each other.

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Didn't they just

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 28/04/2026 22:12

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 22:07

Well for a start if people were being paid a wage that they could actually live on, then the need for UC top ups would not be so common. The housing market, which has gotten completely out of control, with the price of buying homes, renting is a catastrophe. Corporations, and wealthy individuals being able to accountant their way out of not paying enough taxes, there is so much that is wrong. The money that people are making for their bosses, companies, corporations, is not enabling a large section of Society to live any other way, than just surviving.

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as I thought

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:12

Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 22:09

People pay taxes. a huge proportion of which goes on the benefits bill. Benefits aren't a source of savings for people on benefits. They're supposed to be a 'safety net'. I'm sure people paying high taxes would rather be able to save more too, but they often can't, because they're paying high taxes for people on benefits. Not to build up other peoples savings accounts.

6% of your tax goes on benefits which i think is a bargain for peace of mind for if the worse should happen.

DrCoconut · 28/04/2026 22:11

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:29

I think the problem is uc has changed and people haven't realised they have put everyone in the same group now so uc isn't just a stop gap now its a forever benefit for a lot of people. Its interesting that nobody ever complained when it was called working tax credit now its called uc its a problem

The Tories really knew what they were doing there, pitting people against each other.

Newyearawaits · 28/04/2026 22:11

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 20:50

That’s not really the point I was making. I wasn’t saying benefits should leave people able to build significant savings, just that having little to no room to put aside even a small emergency buffer can leave people permanently on the edge financially.

Show quote history

Important to acknowledge that there are people who aren't on uc who have no savings and living on the edge.
I have spent the majority of my working life in this situation.

youalright · 28/04/2026 22:10

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/04/2026 22:08

Aaargh, I always think of myself as an absolute bleeding heart, but I agree with those saying it’s not supposed to be enough to save. It’s supposed to be a safety net to tide you over, not a long term solution or lifestyle, with room to put some aside.

I mean of course there are always choices - I’m not saying it should be the barest minimum that you can literally only afford to stave off starvation on. So perhaps there is or should be room to save if you avoid buying x or y that that week that most people would think of as a basic expense.

But in any real sense of building up a savings pot, I think that should be done when you’re in work, which for most people should be most of the time.

But my understanding is that if you are long term disabled or have very young children you’re getting a bit above the basic minimum amount. So not the same as the “just tide you over” amount.

But now they have put all the benefits together it isn't a safety net this is a lot of people's forever as it covers disabled people and carers now

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 22:10

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 22:09

I have had that told to me on here!

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So funny - where would you even post it to? People don't half engage in some competitive stupidity on these threads 🤣

Northermcharn · 28/04/2026 22:09

People pay taxes. a huge proportion of which goes on the benefits bill. Benefits aren't a source of savings for people on benefits. They're supposed to be a 'safety net'. I'm sure people paying high taxes would rather be able to save more too, but they often can't, because they're paying high taxes for people on benefits. Not to build up other peoples savings accounts.

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 22:09

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 22:08

Just post the difference back to the DWP. It's the moral thing to do.

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I have had that told to me on here!

ChickenBananaBanana · 28/04/2026 22:08

If the state cared full time for my disabled husband rather than the £83 a week I'm paid your tax money would be funding full time residential care which trust me is much more expensive

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 22:08

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 22:06

I don't pay for it. DM has a cleaning company and gets me anything cleaning related. But that means I save money, and that is bad apparently.

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Just post the difference back to the DWP. It's the moral thing to do.