Introduce an emergency Universal Credit top-up for 66-year-old citizens.

Open for signatures 13 signatures

What the petition asks

Implement the Work & Pensions Committee's 2026 report recommendations. Introduce an emergency Universal Credit top-up for 66-year-olds by late 2026. This boost must bridge the severe £600/month income gap between working-age benefits and Pension Credit caused by the State Pension age rise to 67.

The State Pension age rise from 66 to 67 leaves 66-year-olds on standard Universal Credit (£425/month), a £600 shortfall from Pension Credit (£1,031/month). Only 42% can work due to health and age barriers. When the State Pension age rose to 66 in 2020, poverty more than doubled to 24%. The Treasury will save £10.5bn from the change; we believe investing £600m of this windfall to fund this top-up by December 2026 is an economic and moral necessity to protect vulnerable citizens from destitution.

Timeline

7 Aug 2026

Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 13

Status Open for signatures

Department Department for Work and Pensions

Opened 7 Aug 2026

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