Responding to the UK Budget, Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance said:
“While we welcome the measures designed to cushion people from the impact of coronavirus, and the minor adjustment to Universal Credit, this does not amount to a budget to “level up” the UK.
“Coronavirus has shone a light on the precarity at the heart of our labour market and social security system. The changes to Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay should be made permanent and extended to all people, not just those affected by the virus.
“The Prime Minister has asserted that the days of austerity policies will soon be over but this will only be the case when the value of social security has been restored so that people have enough to meet their needs. To begin to make a dent in the rising tide of poverty, the UK Government must end the punitive five week wait for Universal Credit and the two-child limit, increase Child Benefit and raise the National Living Wage to match the real Living Wage that reflects the cost of living.”
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