In a debate on the Social Security Uprating Order 2021 on Tuesday 9 December, an annual routine order uprating in line with inflation, Stephen urged the Government again to keep the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit and extend it to legacy benefits.
In his speech Stephen drew attention to a report from the Disability Benefits Consortium released this month which has found that 82% of disabled claimants have had to spend more money than they normally would during the pandemic.
It comes as the Work and Pensions Committee has today called in a new report for a year-long extension of the £20 a week increase ‘at the very least’. The report has argued that its removal in April while the pandemic still being felt would plunge hundreds of thousands of families into poverty.
Stephen said: "Removing the extra payment in March would represent a failure by Government – failure to recognise the reality of people struggling. Without regular support, hundreds of thousands of families will be swept into poverty or even destitution. Government must end the uncertainty and commit to extending this lifeline."