A freeloading masters graduate who moaned that claiming benefits is harder than working has used his Universal Credit to fund a ‘dream trip’ funded by the taxpayer.
Joshua Bishop – not his real name – went viral recently when he claimed the hoops he has to jump through to keep his benefits is harder than having a job.
But this week the 27-year-old has posted videos of himself claiming to be in Japan as he boasts that he’s ‘used the [benefits] money to fund his dream trip’ – and is sharing tips on how others can do the same.
He’s claimed his ‘taxpayer-funded’ holiday makes critics of his earlier videos look like ‘mugs’, leading him to gloat ‘revenge is sweet’.
In another video he claims he’s hiding from the DWP in the Japanese mountains and costing the UK Government ‘thousands of pounds’.
The former business student brags that while hard-working Brits ‘get told when to have lunch’ by their boss, he gets ‘free money’ every two weeks to travel the world and ‘expand his knowledge’.
Joshua also revealed he’s thinking of travelling to Portugal next – but admitted has to return to the UK soon to avoid having his payments stopped.
The former student, who says he gets a £400 per month benefit payment, claims he’s now offering to advise people on how to ‘maximise’ their own claim.
The former business student shares on social media videos where he brags that while hard-working Brits ‘get told when to have lunch’ by their boss, he gets ‘free money’ every two weeks to travel the world and ‘expand his knowledge’
The former business student boasted: ‘Say what you want but no one’s calling me a dosser any more at least’
In a TikTok video, Joshua said: ‘I was abused in the UK for claiming benefits when I was in need so I used the money to fund my dream trip to Japan and made my haters look like mugs.
‘[I’m] surprised any of them are still trying to hate me. Say what you want but no one’s calling me a dosser any more at least.
‘I’m also showing people on benefits what’s possible and that you should stand up to bullies.’
In another video, he said: ‘I can’t believe the UK government gives me free money every two weeks to travel the world and expand my knowledge.
‘I’m currently in Japan and I’m thinking of going to Portugal next after I return home to avoid being sanctioned and save up a little.
‘People made fun of me for being on Universal Credit but I’m in Kyoto and they are told by another man when they can eat lunch.
‘Revenge is sweet.’
After being contacted by reporters Joshua claimed he did borrow some money for the trip and is now back in the UK after ‘taking the correct steps to remain compliant with the Universal Credit system’.
The former business student is shown logging on to check his Universal credit account
Joshua Bishop, not his real name, claimed following the rules to keep his unemployment benefit is harder than having a job
He claims he’s using his platform to ‘educate and support’ others about the benefits they could be entitled to because the system ‘isn’t doing its job properly’.
He had previously said that to keep his benefits payments he had to attend weekly 30-minute meetings and provide detailed evidence he’s looking for a role.
He captioned one TikTok in December with ‘It’s a full-time job trying to claim benefits with none of the positives. Most workers would have a breakdown if they had to live as a Universal Credit bandit for a week’.
Earlier this week he claimed he didn’t want to return to the UK as he will be ‘shamed’ and ‘guilted’ by the job centre.
In one video Joshua even said: ‘[I’m] Hiding from the DWP and Citizens Advice in the Japanese mountains because you’re costing them thousands by helping people on benefits get their rightful claim and not gaslighting and manipulating them to save the UK Government money.
‘Pencil pushers can’t stand me because I’m actually helping vulnerable people with their rightful claim.
‘The job market in 2025 is so bad in the UK, yet every day is Friday for me out here.
‘No wonder I don’t want to come home, I’ll just get depressed again sending out CV after CV and getting shamed and guilted by the job centre.
He claims he’s using his platform to ‘educate and support’ others about the benefits they could be entitled to because the system ‘isn’t doing its job properly’.
‘[I] burned my reputation back there anyway.’
Joshua said that after completing his undergraduate in 2021 he worked in retail, factories and even as a freelance music producer and video editor.
He hoped a masters would give him the edge against less-qualified candidates but in January had admitted he hadn’t secured a job in related fields such as sales, marketing and HR.
The former philosophy student said he spent around two hours per day on tasks to obtain his Universal Credit payments and had to exchange emails with his careers coach five times per week.
He complained the benefits system tries to ‘shame people’ into getting a job and moaned how he’s a graduate not ‘some random refugee’.
Joshua said: ‘They obviously have this method of trying to get people off [Universal Credit] with guilt or shame but for some people it just makes them more pig-headed.
‘Like ‘screw you. I’m not going to have any shame about coming here and trying to get my money off you’.
‘[Staff are] heavy-handed and say things like ‘make sure you do it or you won’t get your payment’. It’s psychological manipulation.
‘They should deal with it on a case-by-case basis. I’m a god-damn graduate not some random refugee or something trying to milk the system.’
Earlier this week he claimed he didn’t want to return to the UK as he will be ‘shamed’ and ‘guilted’ by the Job Centre
His videos claiming to be filmed in Japan have been viewed more than 60,000 times.
One TikTok user commented: ‘This is what we’re paying our taxes on.’
A second said: ‘You are generating hatred for the poorest people in the country. What’s the point?’
A third wrote: ‘I have the luxury of knowing I contribute to society.’
A fourth added: ‘You gotta be careful with this as you are basically showing you don’t have true intentions behind your benefits which can get you sanctioned.
‘This video is evidence if someone reports you.’
In response to the criticism Joshua said: ‘My journey to Japan was a deeply personal and inspiring experience and I ensured that I followed all necessary requirements regarding my Universal Credit claim.
‘I took the correct steps to remain compliant with the system.
‘Unfortunately, there is a lot of stigma surrounding UC claimants, often fuelled by misunderstandings about the system and the people who rely on it.
‘I use my platform to educate and support others, helping them understand their rights and ensuring they can access the assistance they are legally entitled to.
‘Many people don’t realise the full scope of what UC allows, and I have received countless messages from individuals who now feel empowered to claim the support they need to improve their lives.
‘I welcome discussions about how UC works and how we can better support those who rely on it.
‘My goal has always been to inspire others and show that circumstances don’t have to define your opportunities in life. Thank you for reaching out.
‘Regarding my comments about “hiding from DWP,” I understand how this could have been misinterpreted.
‘This was never meant to suggest I was doing anything unlawful and it was a light-hearted remark reflecting the unfortunate reality that benefit claimants often face harassment and stigma when discussing their circumstances openly.
‘Many people on UC feel pressure to justify themselves, and my comment was meant to highlight how unfair that is, not to imply wrongdoing.
‘I’m back in the UK. I need my UC claim to support myself. I borrowed money to help fund the trip as well.
‘If I was trying to make people on benefits look bad I would be fake claiming mobility benefits and make videos partying in Ibiza.
‘I used it to make educational content about Japan, a country known for high standards, efficient public systems and hard workers.
‘We should all learn from them as I certainly have. Would they rather I spent it on cigs and booze?
‘None of the jobsworths bullying me graft as hard as Japanese people so they should get off their high horse.
‘My Japan videos are worth more to the British public than a DWP or cab [sic] pencil pusher’s government-funded yearly wage of £30,000+.
‘They’re the people whose funds should be getting cut, not benefit claimants.
‘They are supposed to help people with their claims, yet [according to a study by think tank Policy in Practice] there’s £22.7 billion in unclaimed benefits per year. they’re not doing their job properly are they?’
DWP have been contacted for comment.