Unions join the call to scrap benefit cut

Trade union bosses in the North East have joined calls for the Government not to scrap a ‘temporary’ rise in Universal Credit.

The North East Trades Union Congress (TUC) say 100,000 workers in the region – 31,000 in Sunderland – will be worse off if the £20-a-week uplift, which was introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, is scrapped in September.

The Government say the rise was always intended to be a temporary measure to help people through the pandemic but the TUC says the 100,000 workers in the region currently receiving Universal Credit represents 36% of all recipients.

The TUC says the increase has been a vital lifeline for low-paid workers – and that reducing a crucial in-work support will push more families below the breadline.

It is also calling for an increase the minimum wage to £10 an hour.

TUC regional secretary Beth Farhat said: “If the Universal Credit cut goes ahead, many working families – and key workers – in the region will be forced to get by on much less every week.

"That is levelling down – not levelling up.”

She added: “Ministers should abandon this cruel cut that will hit low-income working families. We need a social security system that helps people get back on their feet – not lock them in poverty.

“We need decent jobs on decent pay for workers in the North East and that means increasing the minimum wage, creating good green jobs and tackling the scourge of insecure work.”