Tory ministers are ‘actively discussing’ extending the £20-a-week boost to Universal Credit beyond April, MPs heard today. Welfare chief Therese Coffey said she “worries” about people’s debts and keeping a roof over their heads.
It comes after 50 charities and campaigners have warned ending the one-year rise, as planned, would hurl 700,000 more people into poverty.
The Work and Pensions Secretary refused to pledge the rise, which took effect for one year from April 2020, will become permanent.
She has also refused to extend it to more than a million other benefit claimants, mostly disabled. But she said “I do worry” about people’s financial resilience and debt.
Read more on mirror.co.uk