This month, the Government is expected to deliver the Spending
Review and announce its annual decision on benefit rates for next
year. This is the obvious moment for ministers to commit to
keeping the £20 a week increase to Universal Credit and to
finally extend the same support to those on legacy benefits.
When the Government introduced the temporary boost to
Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit it decided not to extend
the same additional support to those receiving ‘legacy benefits’
- Employment & Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and
Income Support. This mostly affects sick or disabled people and
carers.
Today, the Disability Benefits Consortium (a network
of over 100 organisations) is issuing a renewed call for the £20
uplift to be extended to claimants of legacy
benefits.
Responding to this day of action, Iain
Porter, Policy & Partnerships Manager at the Joseph Rowntree
Foundation, said:
“The £20 weekly uplift to Universal Credit has been a
vital financial lifeline for families and an economic stimulus
during these turbulent times. As more livelihoods look uncertain,
a strong social security system is essential to preventing rising
unemployment leading to a surge in poverty.
“The Government recognised pre-pandemic levels of
support were inadequate. However, it withheld this same lifeline
to those on legacy benefits – mostly sick or disabled people and
carers. There is no doubt that ministers face many challenging
decisions, however, this is simple. It would go against what we
stand for as a society to continue to withhold this support from
many of those at greatest risk of poverty.
“Later this month, is the obvious moment for the
Government to do the right thing by making the £20 a week
increase to Universal Credit permanent and extending it to those
excluded on legacy benefits. It’s incumbent on all of us to not
to lose our focus now if we are to protect living
standards.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
-
JRF’s latest analysis on the £20 uplift is
available in this briefing.
