News
Young people under the age of 25 receive a lower rate of Universal Credit than their older peers. This policy assumes that those under 25 can reply on family for financial support. However, for young people leaving care, with no support network to rely on, the current Universal Credit policy is setting them up to fail.
We’ve launched our 18 Isn’t Cheaper campaign to coincide with Care Leaver’s Month. The campaign shines a light on the financial cliff edge facing care leavers as they turn 18, whilst often still in full-time education - calling for fairer financial support to help them build independent lives.
Debbie Moreton, CEO of Step by Step, said: “Most young people look forward to their 18th birthday, but for care leavers, it can mark the day everything changes. The safety net disappears overnight. We believe young people deserve the same foundation to thrive, not a cliff edge that pushes them into hardship.”
For care leavers, who often have no family to fall back on, the lower rate of Universal Credit creates a deep unfairness: they face the same rent, bills, and food costs as their peers, but with less money to live on.
Our collaborative research with the University of Southampton, which heard directly from young people leaving supported accommodation, found that financial fairness was one of the key ways to better support vulnerable young people.
That is why we are calling on the Government to introduce Universal Credit parity for care leavers. Championed by Alex Baker, MP for Rushmoor, a Private Members Bill for a change in policy has already passed the House of Lords and is due to be heard in the House of Commons.
To help raise awareness, we’ve released a new short film, Eighteen Isn’t Cheaper. Click here to watch the video and find out more about the campaign.
This Christmas, while many of us gather in warmth and comfort, young people across our communities are facing challenges no one their age should have to.
By donating to our Take a Stand This Christmas appeal, you can be a guiding star in a young person’s journey.
