Benefit freezes will deprive two million claimants of £2billion, Labour say. Disabled people are £660 down and that could hit £1,000 by April after they lose out on a £20-a-week rise given to other Universal Credit claimants.
The increase, due to Covid, was not given to Employment and Support Allowance claimants. Employment Secretary Therese Coffey said necessary computer system changes would take months and a future increase could not be ruled out.
But Shadow Pensions Secretary Marsha de Cordova said: “It is time the Government ended this discrimination.” The Tories won’t say whether the £20 rise will extend beyond April or whether disabled people on ESA will ever get it.
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