Universal Credit cut will hit many in pocket
Carers, shelf stackers and hairdressers will be among the workers hit by the planned cut in Universal Credit, new research says.
Primary teachers, nurses and street cleaners will also be potentially losing more than £1,700 per year compared to 2010 if the £20-aweek uplift ends next month as planned.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming under pressure from charities, campaigners and even some Tory MPs to continue the increase – introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.
Research from the Action for Children charity examined how much less a sole-earner couple with two children will receive in social security compared to 2010, factoring in previous benefit squeezes.
The families of hairdressers will have lost £1,982 on average, shelf stackers £1,843 and care workers £1,773, according to the analysis.
Street cleaners were estimated to lose £1,769, nurses £1,736 and primary school teachers £1,734.
Action for Children policy director Imran Hussain urged the Prime Minister to rethink the plan.
He said: "Too many childhoods are overshadowed by poverty and hardship, and the pandemic is making things worse. We're not talking about big earners but people who are proud to work and do everything they can to provide for their children."
A Government spokesman said: "As announced by the Chancellor at the Budget, the uplift to Universal Credit was always temporary.
"Universal Credit will continue to provide vital support for those both in and out of work."