Martin Lewis has criticised the government's decision to migrate millions of low-income households on to Universal Credit in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
Mr Lewis, who has been an outspoken critic of the Government when it comes to the rise in the cost of living, said Universal Credit is already below inflation and now families could see their earnings fall again.
"We have a situation where Universal Credit itself hasn't been uprated by the current level of inflation because it was the older level of inflation when it was lower," the money expert said.
"You're [The government is] actually going to move people onto a new system where they can earn substantially less amid a cost of living crisis, we are again throwing some of the poor in society under the bus [...] do the Government not understand the timing?"
More than 2.6million people on legacy benefits will start to be moved over to Universal Credit from this week in an automatic process that was previously halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The migration means people on legacy support, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance will be transferred across, with 500 people to receive letters this week – but for many, it could mean a dramatic cut in payments.
More than 20 charities have urged the UK Government to hit pause on the migration as families grapple with soaring inflation.
Groups have written to Work and Pensions Secretary Dr Therese Coffey warning that plans to move legacy benefit claimants on to the new system are “too dangerous to continue”.
They say the incomes of more than 700,000 people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and dementia could be put at risk, and that the consequences of having benefits halted could be “devastating and life-threatening”.
In a written statement submitted to the House of Commons on April 25, Ms Coffey said she is “absolutely committed to making this a responsible and safe transition”.
The Government's own figures estimate that the move could leave 900,000 people worse off.
We've got a guide here on how to check if you'll be better off on Universal Credit.
Some legacy benefits will "run on" for two weeks to help bridge some of that gap during the migration period.
This includes Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
See what benefits are affected by the switchover here.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Over five million people are already supported by Universal Credit.
“It is a dynamic system which adjusts as people’s earnings change, is more generous overall than the old benefits, and simplifies our safety net for those who cannot work.
“Roughly 1.4 million people on legacy benefits would be better off on Universal Credit, with top up payments available for eligible claimants whose Universal Credit entitlement is less.”
Last month, Martin urged anyone on a low income or claiming Universal Credit to check if they qualify for a 50% savings boost.
The MSE founder gave his advice on saving during the cost of living crisis and said Help to Save is "unbeatable" and that "many who are eligible rave about it".
The Help to Save scheme pays a 50% bonus up to a maximum of £1,200 over four years.
Savers can invest up to £50 per month with bonuses paid after two years and four years.
The bonus paid is based on the highest balance in your account during the two previous years (whenever that is - it doesn't have to be the end balance), with a maximum bonus of £600 each time.
The bonus for years three and four are paid on the amount of your highest balance in those years exceeds your highest balance from the previous two years.
In order to qualify you must be a UK resident and either be on Universal Credit with an employment income of £658.64 in the last monthly assessment period or be entitled to working tax credit and receive working or child tax credit.
You don't have to save every month and you can make withdrawals at any time.
