"The Arrival of Universal Credit" (w/t)

22 November 2018

Channel 4 Documentaries has commissioned Blast! Films to make a four-part series exploring the impact of the new Universal Credit benefits system on one of the first 'guinea-pig' towns to experience life under the government's flagship new social welfare policy.

Universal Credit is arguably the most contentious government domestic policy since Margaret Thatcher tried to introduce the Poll Tax in 1990, and the changes represent the biggest upheaval to the UK's welfare system since it's beginnings in 1913.

Filmed in one town, following a range of residents over the course of a year as they get to grips with what Universal Credit means to them, and with access to local businesses, charities and civic institutions also impacted by the changes, the series will reveal the day-to-day realities that lie behind the headlines and political mudslinging. 

 

David Hodgkinson, Creative Director of Blast Films, said, "These are far-reaching changes on a massive scale. They will come to affect the day-to-day lives of seven million families. With the policy starting to be rolled out nationwide, it couldn't be more timely to explore the experience of the people, businesses and institutions already adjusting to the new system."

Alisa Pomeroy, Commissioning Editor Documentaries added; “This new series comes at the perfect time as there is much discussion of this new system and the affect it is having on those who are so dependent on it. I hope that it will show first-hand how communities are having to adjust in order to ensure they can support themselves and their families.”

Commissioning Editor:  Alisa Pomeroy

Series Prod: Dollan Cannell

Series Dir: Owen Gower

Exec: David Hodgkinson, Edmund Coulthard