The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been urged to introduce a £25 weekly uplift to Universal Credit and other legacy benefits. MPs from the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party (SNP) said the Government should reintroduce and expand the policy that saw Universal Credit claimants get an extra £20 a week during the pandemic.
In the House of Commons on Monday (Mar 6), Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain and SNP MP David Lindem put the proposal to Mims Davies, DWP Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression. They argued that the uplift would help reduce food bank usage among those struggling most with the cost of living crisis, the Daily Record reports.
During the pandemic, Universal Credit was increased by £20 a week to help people cope with the economic impact of lockdowns. However, people on older, legacy benefits were excluded from the extra money.
