Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithA number of constituents have contacted me regarding the temporary £20 Universal Credit uplift. I do appreciate the seriousness of this issue for some of my constituents and I'm grateful to those who have contacted me to let me know that it affects them.
As people are aware, the £20 uplift to Universal Credit (UC) was announced by the Chancellor as a temporary measure in March 2020 to support those likely to be facing the most financial disruption during the pandemic. The Government recognises the importance of giving people time to prepare for a change in their income. That is why the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been proactively communicating this change with claimants. In July, the DWP updated the UC statement to show claimants they have been receiving an additional £86.67 a month in response to the pandemic. In August and September, all claimants were notified via two separate UC journal messages that this temporary measure would be coming to an end.
These messages outline the date of the last payment which includes the uplift and signposts claimants to organisations who can help with budgeting, and additionally to the “Universal Credit: help with managing your money” guidance https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support. Work Coaches have been supporting claimants on changes to the uplift during appointments, as well as signposting claimants to additional support if it is required. I am reassured that the DWP has also increased the number of people on the telephone helpline and are monitoring phone lines and UC journal entries to identify vulnerable claimants who may need further support.
More broadly, I think it is right now to reassess the temporary things put in place during the pandemic and look ahead at what is needed after the pandemic.
In particular, as the country re-opens, the Government is focused on getting people back into work as opposed to dependent on welfare. So it has drawn up a multi-billion pound plan for jobs, in order to support people in the long-term by helping them learn new skills and increase their hours or find new work. For example, the £2.9 billion Restart scheme will provide help to over a million jobseekers who have been out of work for over 12 months.
The Government is also continuing to support people with the cost of living and put more pounds into the pockets of low-income families. This includes raising the National Living Wage, doubling free childcare, supporting households at risk of fuel poverty through the Warm Home Discount which provides a £140 rebate on energy bills each winter to over 2.2 million low-income households and the Cold Weather Payment which provides £25 extra a week for poorer households when the temperature is consistently below zero.
For further information on what other support is available please see the helpful links below.
As constituents know, alongside these measures the Government has announced a new Household Support Fund which will make £500 million available to local authorities during October to help the most vulnerable households with the extra costs of this winter. Councils will be able to distribute funding within local areas to directly help those who need it most, including for example, through small grants to meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities.
I can assure you that I will look very closely at everything to do with welfare in Parliament in the coming weeks.