I am a single parent who wanted to pursue a course in social work, a career that not only promises personal fulfillment but also serves the community. Unfortunately, due to the current regulations around universal credit, I was forced to abandon my studies. My rent was no longer being paid because universal credit counts student loans or bursaries differently than income from a job. This policy placed me in a precarious financial position, where I was faced with the dire possibility of becoming homeless or encountering debt collectors simply because I wanted to improve my situation and secure a better future for my child.

This is not just my struggle; it’s a challenge faced by countless single parents across the United Kingdom who strive for better education and opportunities but are hindered by the system that's supposed to support them. Under these regulations, the potential of many is stymied, preventing them from leaving the cycle of poverty and dependence on universal credit. The goal of these benefits should be to empower recipients to elevate their circumstances, not to keep them stagnating.

Statistics reveal that single parents are among the most financially vulnerable groups in society, with 49% of single parent families living in poverty, compared to 25% of couples with children (Office for National Statistics, 2021). Education and skill acquisition are key pathways out of this cycle, yet the current universal credit guidelines actively deter single parents from pursuing these vital opportunities.

To truly support single parents, universal credit regulations must be revised. Student loans and bursaries should be treated as investments in the future, rather than being penalised as reduced entitlements. Encouraging education and workforce participation should be at the heart of the welfare state’s mission, not impeding it.

The government must review and amend these regulations so that more single parents can pursue higher education or skill development without the fear of financial collapse. Let's work towards a system that values and supports the ambition to learn and grow.

Please sign this petition to demand a fair and realistic revision of universal credit policies that will enable single parents like myself to reach our potential and contribute positively to society. We need your voice to bring this crucial change.