The Telegraph
A £20 uplift in Universal Credit could cost up to £350 for many households, according to figures circulated by Treasury sources, amid a mounting row over welfare spending. Ahead of a vote forced by Labour on Monday evening, Conservative MPs have been urged to consider the impact of making the temporary increase permanent on the public finances, which have already been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. MPs in former Labour ‘Red Wall’ seats have now signalled they will obey instructions to abstain in the opposition day debate, but are still calling on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to keep the uplift until coronavirus restrictions are eased. The Government increased the benefit payments for nearly six million people in March to help families cope with the coronavirus crisis, adding an extra £1,040 to claimants’ annual incomes. With lockdown restrictions still in place, there are differing opinions in Government over extending the uplift beyond its current end date of April, with some ministers concerned that it could become permanent. Therese Coffey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, is leading calls for an extension, while the Chancellor Rishi Sunak is pushing for other options to be considered, such as a one-off lump sum payment. Sources close to Mr Sunak insist all options remain on the table and that he has not ruled out an extension. Mr Johnson, who is still be weighing up the options, is likely to make a decision in the coming weeks before the Chancellor makes a formal announcement at the Budget in March.
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