Commenting on today’s statement from the Chancellor on the 2020
Spending Review, Rt Hon MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee,
said:
“The Chancellor’s announcement of a new
programme to get people back into work is very welcome. But, away
from the headlines, the Government has slipped out an
announcement on benefit rates that will come as a major
blow.
Millions of people on Universal Credit are now facing the
Christmas period in agonising uncertainty, not knowing whether
the Government will cut their income by £20 a week next April.
Meanwhile, those on older benefits, who have already missed out
on the rise because the DWP’s systems are too old fashioned, will
receive an increase of just 0.5% next year. The Government must
think again—if it doesn’t, some of the most vulnerable people in
society will be faced with a tough winter with no additional
support.
On the Restart programme, the Committee will want to look
closely at the detail and how it is funded so it can hit the
ground running. The Government must ensure it works a great deal
better for disabled people than its predecessor, the Work
Programme.”
The
Committee’s report in October on Universal Credit and the wait
for a first payment called on the Government to make
permanent the £20 per week increase in the standard UC allowance
announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Committee’s report on
the response of the DWP to the coronavirus pandemic from June
will be debated tomorrow in the House of Commons.
