Over 30,000 Welsh graduates stuck on Universal Credit, say Lib Dems

More than 30,000 people in Wales who hold university degrees are currently receiving Universal Credit, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The data, released in response to a Parliamentary Question from Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick, shows that an estimated 30,400 people in Wales aged between 16 and 69, or over 69 and still in work, hold degree-level qualifications and are claiming Universal Credit.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats said the figures highlight the mismatch between the skills people have worked hard to gain and the jobs available across Wales. While some of those claimants will rightly need and benefit from Universal Credit as a vital safety net, many are eager to find meaningful, well-paid work that matches their qualifications.

The Liberal Democrats also highlight these figures are in addition to the 80% of graduates from Wales' eight universities that left the country last year, with brain drain having a siginificant impact on the economy.

The party emphasised that this is not a criticism of Universal Credit itself, but of an economy that too often fails to reward education, ambition, and talent. They argue that far too many people who did the right thing - studied, trained, and contributed are being left underemployed or struggling to make ends meet.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the issue is not “too many degrees” but too few opportunities, especially in rural and post-industrial parts of Wales where graduate-level employment remains scarce.

The party is calling for targeted investment in green energy, digital industries, and small business growth, with technical training to be given equal importance to univerisity education to help fill the skills gap in emerging industries.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:

“These figures show that tens of thousands of people in Wales with degrees are relying on Universal Credit. That support is vital for those who need it, but too many skilled people simply can’t find the kind of work they trained for. It’s deeply frustrating for graduates who want to contribute, build a career, and use their qualifications but are instead stuck in low-paid or insecure work.

“The real problem is an economy that isn’t creating enough secure, fairly paid opportunities to match Wales’s talent. Years of underinvestment under Labour in Wales, poor infrastructure, and a lack of long-term planning have left many communities without the jobs to keep people in their local areas. Wales is full of ambition and ability, but we’re not giving people the chances they deserve.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats want to unlock that potential, investing in clean energy, technology, and small businesses, improving transport, and making sure every part of Wales benefits from growth. People should be able to use their skills and build their futures here at home, not have to leave or rely on Universal Credit because opportunities simply don’t exist.”

ENDS