Millions on Universal Credit will lose hundreds of pounds as Rishi Sunak threatens cuts
More than six million people will be worse off if Rishi Sunak chooses not to increase benefits in line with inflation this autumn and Labor s so worry
Rishi Sunak refused to commit to inflation-proof benefit increases next year (
Image: PA)
Rishi Sunak tonight threatened to strip hundreds of pounds from millions of desperate families fighting for universal credit.
Speaking at the G20 summit in New Delhi, the prime minister refused to commit to increasing inflation-proof benefits next year, arguing that payments had already increased by a “huge amount”. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is thought to be considering a reduction in real terms this autumn. Payments typically increase each April by the previous September's inflation figure - which is expected to be 6.9%. But the government is considering a lower figure, leaving 6.1 million people on UC worse off.
A rise of 1% below inflation would result in a loss of £220 for a low-income working couple with two children. Asked if he could guarantee benefits would continue to rise with inflation, Mr Sunak declined but insisted he would “ensure we look after the most vulnerable”.
Picture:
PENNSYLVANIA)He added: “This year benefits have increased by 10%. On average this would be £600 for a typical person on UC, over £800 for the state pension. We've helped pay energy bills this year, we've provided cost of living payments. There are many different ways to provide help to people who need it. »
Katie Schmuecker of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said last night: “Our benefit levels are already completely inadequate and anyone suggesting they should be reduced further is clearly out of touch with the reality of life in the UK today. Anyone who shops at the supermarket or pays their bills knows that the cost of basic necessities continues to rise rapidly - and that's what low-income people spend most of their money on. »
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More than six million people will be worse off if Rishi Sunak chooses not to increase benefits in line with inflation this autumn and Labor s so worry
Rishi Sunak refused to commit to inflation-proof benefit increases next year (
Image: PA)
Rishi Sunak tonight threatened to strip hundreds of pounds from millions of desperate families fighting for universal credit.
Speaking at the G20 summit in New Delhi, the prime minister refused to commit to increasing inflation-proof benefits next year, arguing that payments had already increased by a “huge amount”. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is thought to be considering a reduction in real terms this autumn. Payments typically increase each April by the previous September's inflation figure - which is expected to be 6.9%. But the government is considering a lower figure, leaving 6.1 million people on UC worse off.
A rise of 1% below inflation would result in a loss of £220 for a low-income working couple with two children. Asked if he could guarantee benefits would continue to rise with inflation, Mr Sunak declined but insisted he would “ensure we look after the most vulnerable”.
Picture:
PENNSYLVANIA)He added: “This year benefits have increased by 10%. On average this would be £600 for a typical person on UC, over £800 for the state pension. We've helped pay energy bills this year, we've provided cost of living payments. There are many different ways to provide help to people who need it. »
Katie Schmuecker of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said last night: “Our benefit levels are already completely inadequate and anyone suggesting they should be reduced further is clearly out of touch with the reality of life in the UK today. Anyone who shops at the supermarket or pays their bills knows that the cost of basic necessities continues to rise rapidly - and that's what low-income people spend most of their money on. »
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