Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 110
110
We note the wealth of evidence we have received as part of this inquiry that...
Conclusion
We note the wealth of evidence we have received as part of this inquiry that the payment award for claimants of Universal Credit is not enough to tackle poverty in Scotland and provide claimants with a stable support base from which they can access the job market. We welcome the extension of the £20 uplift until September 2021 and the positive effect this has had throughout the pandemic.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Universal Credit has provided a vital safety net for six million people during the pandemic, and the UK Government announced the temporary uplift as part of a £400 billion package of measures put in place that will last well beyond the end of the roadmap. The UK Government focused support on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit claimants because they were more likely to be affected by the sudden economic shock of Covid-19 than legacy benefit recipients. There was never any plan to extend the uplift to legacy benefits. As the economy recovers, the UK Government’s ambition is to help people move into and progress in work as quickly as possible based on clear evidence around the importance of employment, particularly where it is full-time, in substantially reducing the risks of poverty. The UK Government’s ambitious Plan for Jobs is already delivering for people of all ages right across Great Britain and includes new schemes such as the £2 billion Kickstart Scheme.