At Treasury Questions on Tuesday 20th October, Stephen asked Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay about the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and its broader economic benefits.
The uplift is currently due to end in April but a broad coalition of charities and MPs are campaigning for it to be extended. A briefing this week from Joseph Rowntree Foundation outlined the broader economic benefits of social security increases.
Stephen said: "Social security is an effective tool to stimulate the economy. Much of the spend on the policy feeds through into an increase in economic activity. To support recovery, the economic case is clear: make the £20 a week uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit permanent."