Read our Privacy noticeThe government must fix key issues in the Universal Credit system, with it set to be claimed by 15 million households later this year, a new report has warned. All six ‘legacy benefits’ that Universal Credit was designed to replace when it was introduced 13 years ago will be finally replaced by the all-encompassing payment from April. lThis will bring more people than ever into receipt of the benefit, and place more than half of all children in the UK (6.5 million) into Universal Credit households. One of the most persistent problems highlighted is the five-week wait for the first payment after successfully claiming Universal Credit, highlighted by The Independent last year. The Resolution Foundation adds that a “fundamental culture reset” is needed to restore trust in the Universal Credit system, alongside the technical improvements it highlights.