Turn2us launches ‘Let’s Get the System Working’ campaign 

In a revealing YouGov poll commissioned by national anti-poverty charity Turn2us, nearly two-thirds of UK adults (64%) think that benefits eligibility is confusing, and just over three-quarters (77%) of respondents believe it would be challenging to claim benefits if their circumstances changed. These statistics sharply underline the critical barrier people face at a time when many are struggling to afford the basics.   

Today, Turn2us is actively working to simplify access to crucial support with the launch of the ‘Let’s Get the System Working’ awareness campaign. It aims to help people navigate the challenging and complex benefits landscape with the use of the improved Turn2us Benefits Calculator, an independent, user-friendly online tool that sheds light on which benefits are available to people. 

‘Let’s Get the System Working’ is supported by Turn2us Ambassadors Will Poulter, India Amarteifio, Paapa Essiedu,and Romola Garai. Together, they are committed to simplifying access to benefits and ensuring financial security across the UK. 

This update comes at a crucial time, as recent data from Policy in Practice estimates that nearly £23 billion in income-related benefits and support goes unclaimed each year, underscoring the essential support many families are missing out on. 

Thomas Lawson, CEO at Turn2us, emphasises, "At a time when so many of us are struggling to afford basic necessities, our benefits system is unnecessarily difficult to navigate. This is a major barrier for those who need support now. Last year alone we helped 1.6 million users identify new benefits they could claim." 

The YouGov survey also highlights the emotional strain of applying for benefits, with nearly half of the respondents (49%) saying they think a feeling of shame or unworthiness stops people from applying for benefits. This underscores the need for a more compassionate approach. 

Matthew Greenwood, a user of the Turn2us Benefits Calculator, shared his experience: “We spent hours trawling through different websites trying to find what we need, and it can become a bit of a soul-destroying process. We wouldn't have found out about a one-off Universal Credit payment without going through the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.” His testimony highlights the practical impact and vital assistance the tool provides in navigating the complex benefits landscape.

Lawson adds, "We are committed to transforming the way benefits are viewed, normalising claiming the support people are entitled to. We've crafted our Benefits Calculator to provide straightforward guidance, reducing both stress and confusion.

"Over the long-term we will work with our partners and communities with lived experience to create a fairer more accessible social security system that works for everyone." 

View the Turn2us Benefits Calculator

Turn2us is a national charity offering practical information and support to people facing financial insecurity. Our vision is that everyone in the UK has financial security so that they can thrive. We work alongside people who know what it’s like not to have enough money to live on, and develop our tools, grants, information and services with them. For more information, visit www.turn2us.org.uk 

The campaign is supported by Turn2us Ambassadors: Will Poulter, known for his role in the Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, India Amarteifio, who appeared in Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Paapa Essiedu, an award-winning actor known for his work in "I May Destroy You," and Romola Garai, acclaimed for her roles in "Vanity Fair" and "Suffragette." Together, they are committed to simplifying access to benefits and ensuring financial security across the UK. 

Watch the campaign video.

Editor's notes

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2121 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd - 25th March 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). Additional data on unclaimed benefits was sourced from recent sector reports, indicating the vast scope of potential support not being utilized.