Tonia Antoniazzi MP Backs Calls to Improve Universal Credit for Single Parents

Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, has called for the Department for Work and Pensions to make improvements to the Universal Credit system, particularly in how it supports single parents.
 
Attending Gingerbread’s Support Not Punish event in Parliament on 9th July, Tonia heard first-hand experiences from single parents about the challenges they face navigating the system.
 
Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families, brought together parents to share their stories and highlight how the current Universal Credit system can feel overly complicated, inflexible, and difficult to access.
 
At the event representatives from Gingerbread encouraged policymakers to consider reforms including improved guidance and tailored employment support for single parents, and for a more constructive culture within Jobcentre Plus.
 
At the event, MPs heard recorded messages from single parents like Cheryl who talked about how she felt belittled and threatened by her interactions with the Universal Credit system. This in turn causes significant anxiety as people are made to worry that their payments could stop at any time.
 
Tonia Antoniazzi MP said “As a single parent myself, I know how hard it can be to reach out and find the right support – especially when the system feels difficult to navigate. I’ve heard from constituents in Gower who have faced similar barriers, and I’m grateful to Gingerbread and the parents who took the time to share their experiences.
 
“I want to see a benefits system that offers clear, fair, and compassionate support, and that includes recognising the realities single parents face. There’s more we can do to make Universal Credit work better for those who need it.”
 
Sarah Lambert, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Gingerbread, said “We were delighted to welcome Tonia to our event to hear directly from single parents. The current system can too often feel like an obstacle, rather than a safety net. We’re asking MPs to help us make it work better for the people it’s meant to support.”