Benefits rise ‘must be made permanent’

A leading charity is calling on the Government to make the temporary rise in Universal Credit payments permanent.

Save the Children says the pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in the number of families claiming the benefit – 700,000, according to new figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions.

That means six million people are now on Universal Credit – double the numbers pre-pandemic.

The Government introduced a ‘temporary’ £20-aweekriseinthebenefitsoon after the pandemic started last year and is due to end in October.

Dan Paskins, director of UK impact at Save the Children, said: “This past year has been difficult for everyone, but low-income families have been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic through no fault of their own.

“It's a difficult situation and we are concerned about what will happen to struggling families once the furlough scheme wraps up and the additional £20 weekly boost to Universal Credit ends in October.

“That's why we're calling on the UK government to make the £20 a week increase to universal credit permanent to prevent families from falling into further hardship. This will make a huge difference to families on low incomes and help relieve some of the nagging anxiety families carry for the welfare of their children.

“Parents have told us of the difficult decisions they’ve had to make, with many running up mounting debts so that their children get fed and clothed.”