UK CliffWatch — PolicyEngine benefit cliff explorer

UK CliffWatch is a free, open-source tool from PolicyEngine that maps benefit cliffs and effective marginal tax rates for UK households. Enter a household's region, composition and rent to see how net resources change as earnings rise — with the Universal Credit 55% taper, the High-Income Child Benefit Charge, and the £100,000 personal-allowance trap all highlighted along the curve.

What UK CliffWatch shows

• Net household income as earnings rise
• Benefit cliffs where small earnings gains cause large net losses
• Effective marginal tax rates across the income distribution
• Program-level breakdowns for UK benefits and taxes
• Side-by-side comparisons across all 12 UK regions

Programs modelled

Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit, Tax-Free Childcare, free childcare hours, Carer's Allowance, UC carer element, Income Tax, National Insurance, Council Tax, and Student Loan Repayment.