McFadden Refuses to Rule Out Tougher Universal Credit Rules, Including for Under-22s

Pat McFadden told the BBC he is not ruling out tighter eligibility or ending the health-related Universal Credit element for people under 22. His comments follow the government’s earlier retreat from proposed PIP and UC health-benefit changes and the launch of a Stephen Timms-led review due next autumn. He argued welfare reform is ongoing, calling the current system unhealthy and costly because too few people who could work are getting the right help. McFadden now heads a new super ministry that brings skills into the Department for Work and Pensions, with an early focus on young people not in education, employment or training. Disability charities voiced concern about potential cuts, and some outlets have reported unconfirmed proposals to reduce health-related UC top-ups for new claimants from 2026.