Several universities in the United Kingdom have advised fresh graduates to apply for welfare support after completing their studies.
According to GB News, institutions including King’s College London, Loughborough University and the University of Stirling are among those that have published guidance encouraging students to claim benefits.
King’s College London, in its post university life guide, told graduates they “shouldn’t feel bad” about claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The university said: “As a graduate, these benefits are in place to help you transition from full time study to work, even if you are living at home or have job lined up in a few weeks. This is an important safety net, which you should claim just in case anything changes.”
Similarly, the University of Stirling advised students they could submit claims “from the day after your official course end date”, while Loughborough University told leavers: “As a general rule, do not delay in making any claim for benefits.”
The advice comes amid concerns over the UK graduate jobs market and rising youth unemployment.
GB News cited data showing the unemployment rate among 16 to 24 year olds stood at 16.4 per cent in the three months to July, its highest level in more than a decade.
Data from recruitment platform Adzuna also showed only 8,383 jobs targeted at university leavers were advertised in July, a 45 per cent drop year on year and the lowest since tracking began in 2016.
The guidance has sparked criticism, with Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott describing it as “madness” and arguing universities should prepare students for employment rather than welfare dependency, at a time Britain’s welfare bill is put at £332.9 billion.
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