The Government announced a 12-month £20 increase in Universal Credit at the onset of the Coronavirus crisis. The fact this step had to be taken shows that our social security system was not fit for purpose as the existing level of support was inadequate.

The pandemic is ongoing, with its economic effects pulling more and more families into financial hardship. Millions of families have been relying on this as a lifeline throughout the crisis – including 7922 households in Manchester Withington. This £20 has enabled some families to put food on the table at the end of the week.

As it stands, the £20 uplift will be cut from April 2021. Despite being asked over 40 times in the House of Commons chamber, Government representatives have refused to commit to ruling out the cut, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer most recently confirming it was temporary on November 5th 2020.

The Government has its priorities all wrong. They can afford to shell out £2.1 billion on dodgy procurement and outsourced contracts, but now claim they cannot afford to support millions of families already in hardship.

Labour is calling on the Government to do the right thing, and stop the planned £20 a week, or £1000 a year, cut to Universal Credit due for April 2021, which will hit Britain’s poorest households.

Ultimately, Labour believes Universal Credit should be replaced with a system which offers a proper social security safety net and decent support to all.

Sign Labour’s petition here – tell the Chancellor to cancel the cut to Universal Credit.

If you have a story to share about your experience with the benefits system, please let Labour know about it here.