Universal Credit Removing uplift is ‘kick in the teeth’

I feel like I’m being pushed down into poverty even though I’m working Single mum Anna

ABRISTOL mum says she feels like she is being pushed into poverty by the government’s plans to cut Universal Credit payments.

A £20-per-week uplift to the benefit that was introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic ended on Wednesday, leaving recipients £1,040 worse off per year.

Single-mum-of-two Anna has been working from home part-time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year, but has still had to pawn her jewellery in order to get by.

She said: “I feel like I’m being pushed down into poverty even though I’m working.”

“I’m always struggling financially. I’ve had to pawn my jewellery and borrow money from my mum and sister.

“I was having counselling sessions to deal with social isolation but I’ve had to give those up.

“My cost of living has gone up and I’m worried about keeping up with bills now I’m about to see another reduction in my income.”

Anna said that although her work has provided her with a working from home allowance to help cover the increase in bills, it has been taken directly from her Universal Credit payments.

And that payment is going to be cut even more now the £20 uplift has been removed.

She said that if she went into full -time work she would be worse off due to the increase in nursery fees she would have to pay.

“I feel like I’m blocked at every turn and cut off from any support,” she said.

“It feels like a kick in the teeth. The government is playing with people’s lives.”

Last week Anna also received a letter from her energy supplier about her bills going up by £150.

“Electricity and gas are going right up and with the reduction in Universal Credit I will hardly be getting anything,” she added.

“I’m fed up, I don’t have time to change energy suppliers. I have a house to heat and two little boys to feed. The situation is pretty grim.”

Another Bristol woman, Stacey, who did not want to give her surname, began claiming in March 2020 and therefore has not experienced Universal Credit without the temporary uplift.

The community worker said: “Ironically, part of my job is to support people to access welfare advice.

“People have been under a lot of pressure and key workers have really powered through... I’d like (the Government) to hear that the very people they were encouraging the community to clap for are the ones they are plunging into poverty.

“I feel anxious about how it will affect my family and also my community.

“I don’t know Universal Credit pre the ‘uplift,’ so I’m losing £90 per month. That’s my gas and electricity bill.”

A Government spokesman said: “We’ve always been clear that the uplift to Universal Credit was temporary.

“It was designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic, and it has done so.

“Universal Credit will continue to provide vital support for those both in and out of work and it’s right that the Government should focus on our Plan for Jobs, supporting people back into work and supporting those already employed to progress and earn more.”