Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will allocate funding to the Department for Work and Pensions to extend the £20 uplift to universal credit beyond 2021.
The temporary £20 per week increase to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits was introduced specifically to support those who have seen their income fall as a result of the pandemic. This is just one part of a wide-ranging package of support the Government has provided to protect people's jobs and incomes, including income support schemes, mortgage holidays, support for renters, a local authority hardship fund and help with utilities.
As the Government has done throughout this crisis, it will continue to consider how best to support people as the economic and health situation develops.