A new report by the Work & Pensions Committee published on
Monday highlights the difficulties faced by people claiming
Universal Credit (UC) and also calls on the Government to make
permanent the £20 per week increase in the standard UC allowance
announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Responding to this new report, Iain Porter, Policy &
Partnerships Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said:
“Universal Credit is playing a crucial role in supporting
millions of families to keep their heads above water as we
respond to the economic impact of coronavirus. We strongly
welcome the Committee’s recommendation to make the £20 weekly
uplift to Universal Credit permanent.
“It would be a huge mistake for the Government to cut the £20
weekly uplift to Universal Credit at a time when unemployment is
rising and more people are experiencing income shocks. Unless
this lifeline is made permanent, 700,000 people will be at risk
of poverty. Ministers also need to right the wrong of people on
legacy benefits being excluded from this additional support.
“Delays in payments and unpredictability of support are too often
pulling families deeper into poverty and debt. The Committee is
right to call for the Government to end the minimum five-week
wait for Universal Credit, so no one is ever left adrift at a
time when they most need support.”
