#KeepTheLifeline for Benefit Claimants

At the beginning of 2021, we campaigned to #KeeptheLifeline of the £20/week Universal Credit uplift, supporting claimants through the COVID-19 pandemic. The government responded to our campaign by extending the uplift to September.

However, the Work and Pensions Secretary has now said the uplift will not be renewed when it expires in October 2021. This risks millions of families facing a financial cliff edge.

North Tyneside Citizens Advice are calling for the uplift to be made permanent.

COVID-19 is still placing financial pressure on our clients, many of whom could be forced to go without basic essentials such as food or heating if the uplift is removed.

Previous figures we released show that the uplift helps local residents cover essential bills, receive support while job opportunities are limited, and keeps money in the local economy: https://www.ntcab.org.uk/keepthelifeline-for-people-in-north-tyneside/

These financial pressures still remain:

· National figures show that 360,00 people who lost their job due to the pandemic are still unemployed

· 75% of debt clients across all Citizens Advice offices wouldn’t be able to cover their costs if the uplift is removed

This is why we’re calling on the government to make the £20/week uplift permanent and extend it to other benefits.