PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Allow UC claimants with start-up-businesses to receive payments for 3 years
Change the law to allow people on Universal Credit who start and run a business to continue to receive payments for 3 years. This could give them time to build income and stability before benefits are reduced. This could encourage self-employment, growth, and independence from Universal Credit.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
232
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 232/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 232/100,000
Background
Currently, people on Universal Credit risk losing benefits after 12 months, making it difficult for many to move forward. A 3-year grace period could let them build sustainable businesses, increase confidence, and create future jobs. Many may later leave Universal Credit altogether, saving money long-term and giving people real opportunities to succeed.