On Tuesday, Stephen asked the Government to consolidate one-off Cost of Living Payments into mainstream benefits, to raise benefit levels from their 40-year low in real terms.
Benefit levels are at their lowest level in real terms for 40 years. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that the standard allowance for Universal Credit is up to £66 too low to cover essentials, like food and utility bills. While the Government has offered vital support through the Cost of Living Payments, this support is time-limited and separate to usual benefit payments, making it difficult for claimants to budget.
Speaking in the debate, Stephen welcomed the Cost of Living Payments but stated, “the need for them does reflect, particularly following the removal of the £20 a week uplift from universal credit, the historically low headline level of benefits.” He asked the Government to consolidate “consolidating those occasional one-off payments into the mainstream benefits— universal credit and the rest—so that people can budget with confidence.”
Tom Pursglove, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, refused to commit to such a change.