Commenting on cut to Universal Credit of £20 a week Dr Mary
Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union,
said:
“Today, millions of families will experience the £20-a-week cut
to Universal Credit which has come into effect. The Government
has ignored the warnings of teachers, charities, doctors,
economists and many Conservative MPs.
'The cut to Universal Credit contradicts the Government’s promise
to level up. The help that is now offered to families has been
cut down to completely inadequate levels.
'Even before coronavirus, 4.3 million children and young people
were growing up trapped in poverty. The impact that this cut will
have on rising rates of child poverty is a concern to staff in
education and those who lead schools. Independent analysis from
the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that it risks plunging
500,000 people into poverty, including 200,000 children.
'This step shows the Government is out of step with the rising
cost of living for low-income families. Poverty creates concrete
barriers to learning and we can't rely on school improvement as
the only strategy to address poverty.
'The Government must ensure that no child is left behind after
Covid and listen to families and the economic pressures that they
are facing. Most poor children live in a household with a parent
in work. Families simply can't afford to lose the £20 lifeline
today.
'We ask the new Secretary of State to raise this with the
Treasury. We ask the Chancellor to do the right thing and
reinstate the £20 to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit at
the Autumn Budget and ensure families on legacy benefits are
included.”
