Universal Credit is being claimed by 7.3 million people aged 20 to 64 in May, according to official figures, which the reporting describes as about one in five working-age adults.

The data refer to claims for the main Universal Credit benefit for people on low incomes. The outlet focuses on the scale of the figures and frames them in terms of the share of the working-age population receiving support.

While other outlets are not provided here, the available reporting presents the government statistics as evidence that Universal Credit coverage is relatively widespread among working-age claimants. The figures’ interpretation can vary depending on whether the percentage is calculated against all working-age adults or against those eligible to claim, but the reported absolute number and age range are consistent within the cited account.