Benefits system disincentivizes work for many in UK

Cheryl Lloyd, a single mother from Burntwood, Staffordshire, is facing challenges in the UK benefits system. She used to earn £46,000 a year as a teacher but now works just two hours a day and receives nearly the same amount in benefits. At 51, Cheryl has two children, including a son with autism and ADHD. After leaving her full-time teaching job, she became a private tutor on a zero-hours contract, making £33 per hour. She now earns around £919 a month from tutoring and receives Universal Credit, child maintenance, and Disability Living Allowance. Despite her desire to work, Cheryl feels trapped by the current benefits system. Changes announced by the government aim to reform Universal Credit and help people return to work. This includes removing work capability assessments and making it harder to claim certain benefits. Cheryl explains that the system discourages her from working more hours because her benefits would decrease with extra earnings. Many others feel similarly stuck on benefits, lacking motivation to increase their work hours. Experts criticize the system as unsustainable and a national scandal, claiming it fails to support people trying to work. They urge the government to address deeper issues like NHS waiting lists and mental health challenges while reforming benefits to provide proper support.