During questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on Monday 31 October, Stephen asked if the Government would raise benefits in order to tackle food insecurity amongst Universal Credit claimants.
The family resources survey shows that food insecurity among Universal Credit claimants fell from 43% to 27% during the period of the £20 a week uplift to Universal Credit. Since the uplift was removed, food insecurity has started to rise again.
On Monday the newly appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, answered questions in the House of Commons. Stephen raised the findings of the family resources survey and asked “does not all that show how crucial it is that the Prime Minister keeps the promise he made as Chancellor to uprate benefits next April by 10.1%?”
Watch Stephen’s full question - and the Secretary of State’s response - below.