The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that two benefits claimed by millions of people have ended as the rollout of universal credit officially concludes.
The government’s ‘move to universal credit’ scheme has seen claimants of all six ‘legacy benefits’ gradually moved to universal credit since 2023. Wednesday marked the final phase of the plan, with income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) and housing benefit brought to an end.
The other benefits involved in the migration are child tax credit, working tax credit, income support, and income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA).
Two million people have now moved from these “outdated” benefits to universal credit, the DWP has confirmed, as it officially marks the conclusion of the scheme.
Sir Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, told The Independent: “The successful completion of move to universal credit marks a major milestone, with nearly two million people having now moved on to universal credit from legacy benefits, including income-related employment and support allowance and housing benefit, which have now closed for most working households.
“We've provided extensive tailored support to ensure the most vulnerable customers are supported on every step of their journey, including home visits, specialist safeguarding referrals, dedicated Jobcentre staff and extra time for those requiring an appointee.”
Around 1.6 million people were still claiming the housing benefit as of February, largely comprising those in temporary accommodation and of state pension age. It remains open for these claimants despite the milestone.
Some experts have criticised the move to universal credit scheme, arguing that the DWP’s migration notice system – where claimants are given three months to migrate or face losing their benefits – does not work for all claimants.
In August 2025, research from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) warned that some people faced “slipping through the net” in their move to the benefit, with evidence that some claimants “are missing deadlines and losing their income”. This loss of income can result in a “hard landing”, researchers added.
Last month, The Independent uncovered the case of a vulnerable couple who lost £600 a month in their transition to universal credit after following misleading advice about the migration scheme sent to them by their local council.
Sir Stephen added the end of the scheme comes “alongside significant steps we've already taken to help people into work — reforming universal credit to remove barriers that pushed people towards long-term sickness benefits, introducing the right to try, and committing £3.5bn to support sick and disabled people into employment.”
The veteran Labour MP is currently leading a review into the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), Britain’s most-claimed health and disability-related benefit at nearly four million claimants. Expected to report in the autumn, the review was announced last year amid a threatened backbench Labour rebellion against the government over proposed cuts to the benefit.
For the latest benefits news and advice, visit The Independent’s regularly updated guide.
