The UK Statistics Authority wrote to Kemi Badenoch MP about Universal Credit claimants

6 May 2026 · Penny Young, Chair, UK Statistics Authority

The letter is dated 6 May 2026. The UK Statistics Authority published it as Letter from Penny Young to Kemi Badenoch MP – Universal Credit claimants; it links to 3 official records. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the UK Statistics Authority wrote

“OSR promotes and safeguards the appropriate use of statistics in public debate and considers concerns raised with the Authority where there is a risk that statistics may be misunderstood or misused.”

“While it is accurate to state that welfare spending has increased, we are concerned that the way the statistic was presented could lead to a misunderstanding.”

“Nonetheless, given the influence of such statements on public understanding, it is important that statistics are presented in ways that are clear and transparent, and that minimise the risk of the public being misled.”

“We would ask you to be mindful of providing relevant context when presenting these statistics in future.”

From Penny Young, Chair, UK Statistics Authority, letter of 6 May 2026. Read the full letter.

Records the letter links to

• Prime Minister’s Questions on 29 April 2026
• transfer of claimants from legacy benefits to Universal Credit
• implemented at scale by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) since May 2022

Related key figures

• People on Universal Credit (Great Britain)

More on Kemi Badenoch.

Receipt