Publication - Statistics

Universal Credit Scottish Choices – management information to March 2026

Management information on the number of Universal Credit (UC) recipients in Scotland who were offered, and who took up, UC Scottish choices.

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Since the scheme started in October 2017, a total of 424,410 new Universal Credit (UC) clients were offered and took up one or both UC Scottish choices, from a total of 1,459,480 new claims, and 1,345,830 offers made.
Of these new clients, 87% (370,780 people) have chosen more frequent payments (MFP), and 23% (97,280 people) have chosen direct payment to landlords (DPL). 10% (43,650 people) chose both options.
Choices are not binding. Clients in Scotland may choose to change or revert their choice(s) at any time.
The number of open claims for UC increased to 600,000 early in 2026, as more clients are moved from legacy benefits, an increase of around 50% since 2023. This masks the ongoing churn of people taking up and leaving UC.
Where payments are active (as at March 2026), clients with 187,520 active payments (32% of eligible) have chosen the twice-monthly MFP, and 88,770 (38% of eligible) have chosen DPL.
The rate of new UC clients who chose at least one of the UC Scottish choices offered was 29% in March 2026. This rate has decreased over the last year, where the rate was over 30% for much of 2025. It compares to an overall rate of 32% since the scheme started.

socialsecuritystatistics@gov.scot

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