I, a mother of six and undergraduate student striving to improve my life through education, currently face a penalty due to the implementation of the Universal Credit (UC) system. My intent to better my circumstances is hindered because UC penalises mature students who, like myself, take a maintenance loan to cope with the costs of learning.

Universal Credit, meant to simplify the welfare system and incentivise work, has instead empowered government control over lives like mine. The system is flawed in its implementation, particularly in penalising those willing to educate themselves and truly improve their circumstances.

For instance, mature students who accept a maintenance loan - a loan crucial for many to cover everyday living costs while studying - are subjected to reduced Universal Credit payments. Essentially, UC treats these necessary loans as income - a blatant oversight in the design of the system.

We must remind ourselves that education is not a luxury, but a right. Penalising mature students for taking a loan to receive an education is grossly unfair. Therefore, it's necessary to confront these problematic regulations.

This petition urges the relevant authorities to scrap the Universal Credit system and bring about a more equitable alternative that supports, rather than penalises, mature students and others in similar positions. The potential for individuals to improve their lives through education should not be curtailed by punitive policies. Let's push for a change that acknowledges loans as a necessary support for education rather than a form of income.

Raise your voice against this punitive policy and sign this petition. Let's bring justice to mature students and reform to the welfare system.