Many Universal Credit claimants have close family living overseas.They may need to visit elderly parents, care for a seriously ill relative,attend funeral, settle family matters,or support loved ones during a crisis. These situations are often unexpected and cannot always be resolved within 28 days.

The Government must modernise these rules to reflect the realities of modern family life. Universal Credit should not punish people for doing the right thing in a family crisis. No claimant should be forced to choose between standing by a loved one in an emergency and keeping the support they need to pay for rent, food, and basic living costs.