We ask the Government to increase the £6,000 and £16,000 capital thresholds to the value these had in real-terms when they were set in 2006; introduce automatic annual uprating to maintain their value; and set proportionately higher capital thresholds for joint claims than for single claimants.

Universal Credit reduces support when savings exceed £6,000, and closes claims when savings exceed £16,000. These limits were set in 2006 and apply to single and joint claims. Restoring the limits' original real-terms value could allow claimants to build financial resilience. Joint claims should have higher limits to reflect that partners may not have access to each others' savings, and reduce barriers for those experiencing financial abuse.