{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/778197.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":778197,"attributes":{"action":"Allow trainee teachers in Initial Teacher Training to claim Universal Credit","background":"We want the UK Government to exempt Initial Teacher Training from the advanced education group for Universal Credit claim purposes. We think eligibility for Universal Credit for Initial Teacher Trainees should remain subject to the usual means-testing and earnings rules.","additional_details":"England faces ongoing teacher shortages, yet we believe many people cannot afford to complete full-time Initial Teacher Training (ITT). Trainees spend much of their training on compulsory school placements, which can leave little opportunity for paid work. While some receive student finance or bursaries, this is not available to everyone and may not cover essential living costs. We believe trainee teachers should be able to claim Universal Credit if they meet the regular eligibility rules.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":9,"closing_date":"2027-02-24","created_at":"2026-07-26T18:43:37.805Z","updated_at":"2026-08-24T15:18:30.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-08-24T12:18:46.276Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-07-26T19:26:00.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Kerry-Anne Byrne","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"DWP","name":"Department for Work and Pensions","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":9}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Basingstoke","ons_code":"E14001078","mp":"Luke Murphy MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Glastonbury and Somerton","ons_code":"E14001247","mp":"Sarah Dyke MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"North West Hampshire","ons_code":"E14001403","mp":"Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"Salisbury","ons_code":"E14001460","mp":"Rt Hon John Glen MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Tiverton and Minehead","ons_code":"E14001548","mp":"Rachel Gilmour MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"Worcester","ons_code":"E14001597","mp":"Tom Collins MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"West Midlands","ons_code":"F","signature_count":1},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":3},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":5}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}