Wigan charity boss adds her voice to calls for universal credit uplift to continue

The Government plans to remove a £20 uplift to universal credit in April, despite calls for it to continue to help people in the most need, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lisa Kidston, chief officer at Citizens Advice Wigan Borough, has now added her voice to those calling for the uplift to continue.

She said: ““We support people every day whose lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic. For many of them, universal credit is the lifeline that has helped pay the bills and put food on the table.

“But households across Wigan and Leigh now face the devastating prospect of a £20 a week cut to their benefits in just a few short months.

“With a tough outlook in the jobs market, we’re urging the Government to continue doing the right thing and maintain the universal credit uplift.”

Staff and volunteers at Citizens Advice Wigan Borough have helped 2,041 people with universal credit since March.

Around 76 per cent of people in Wigan and Leigh who have sought its advice on benefits have never contacted the charity before.

Advisers say many needing support from the benefits system have lost their jobs or suffered a drop in income as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Citizens Advice Wigan Borough, which has continued to provide one-to-one support throughout the pandemic, warns local families could be pushed into further hardship if the £20 a week universal credit uplift ends as planned in April.

In the North West the number of people claiming universal credit has risen by 80 per cent since the pandemic started.

The loss of £20 a week is equivalent to almost three days worth of food or six days worth of energy.

Last week Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said she was “actively considering” with Chancellor Rishi Sunak how to continue supporting people through the pandemic amid pleas to keep the £20 uplift.

She told MPs she hopes to make an announcement on the matter “when we can”.

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