Petitions/Change Universal Credit so second parent earnings don't affect family’s payment
StatusOngoing
Opened19 Jan 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

We want the Government to change Universal Credit so that any earnings of a second parent in a couple do not reduce the overall family’s payment. The current policy discourages people from taking up work.

Many parents work hard to give their children a better life, but Universal Credit cuts payments when the second parent earns extra. Families often feel punished for doing the right thing, children can face poverty, and stress can rise at home. We want the Government to change UC so a second parent’s earnings do not reduce the family’s payment.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Graham Stringer
1Graham Stringer MP
Blackley and Middleton South
3
Jim McMahon
2Jim McMahon MP
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
3
Oliver Ryan
3Oliver Ryan MP
Burnley
2
Afzal Khan
4Afzal Khan MP
Manchester Rusholme
2
Liam Conlon
5Liam Conlon MP
Beckenham and Penge
1
Jess Phillips
6Jess Phillips MP
Birmingham Yardley
1
Mr James Frith
7Mr James Frith MP
Bury North
1
Sir Christopher Chope
8Sir Christopher Chope MP
Christchurch
1
Sarah Jones
9Sarah Jones MP
Croydon West
1
Baggy Shanker
10Baggy Shanker MP
Derby South
1