Increase benefits by inflation, top Tory urges Rishi Sunak

Central Birmingham, where West Midlands mayor Andy Street says people are struggling in the cost of living crisis. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

A senior Conservative has called on his party to ensure welfare claimants are not handed a real-terms cut next year, after Rishi Sunak refused to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation.

Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor and the most senior Tory outside London, said the party’s previous commitment to increasing benefits such as universal credit in line with inflation had become a “real symbol” of the party’s commitment to helping the low-paid.