STATEMENT
Today, the UK Government went ahead with their plan to cut the Universal Credit uplift, reducing payments by £20 a week, despite widespread concerns around the effects of such a move. According to the Resolution Foundation, individuals could lose up to 25% of their allowance, taking the the basic rate of benefits to its lowest level since 1990. The Government was also forewarned that the move would risk pushing over 800,000 people into poverty, including nearly 300,000 children.
MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed has said:
“The decision to cut Universal credit will be devastating, compounding the impact of the pandemic for those trapped in poverty across the country. Millions of households are already struggling to cope with the soaring costs of basic necessities, including food and energy.
The Government must live up to its stated desire to “build back better,” and offer necessary support to those in need so they are able to live fully. The prospect of 100,000s of families barely surviving is simply unconscionable.”
ENDS