#KeepTheLifeline
When the pandemic hit in March 2020 the government recognised what many charities, groups and community leaders had long been saying: that the safety net supporting the most vulnerable in our society was insufficient.
The government rightly responded by increasing Universal Credit by £20 a week. While a modest rise, this allowed families struggling to keep their heads above water some much-needed relief.
This October the government is proposing to remove the £20 uplift. This change constitutes the biggest overnight cut to the basic rate of social security since World War II and threatens to destabilise the livelihoods of those hardest hit by the pandemic (and subsequent lockdowns).
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that this move will likely plunge 500,000 people into poverty, including 200,000 children. It will also take the main rate of out of work support to the lowest levels in real terms since 1990.
The consequences are expected to be far-reaching and to disproportionately affect those with children; in over 400 constituencies across the country more than one in three working families with children will be affected by this cut. Research shows that for the average person in receipt of Universal Credit it will constitute a 13% drop in income, and for some families the figure will be as high as 21%.
Translated into real terms this will mean a choice for some between putting food on the table or turning on the heating this winter.
Particularly in the context of a ‘levelling up’ agenda, we at Jubilee+ agree that such a move is at best short-sighted and counterproductive, and at worst risks significant, immediate and avoidable hardship.
How can we act as one to stop this cut?
There is still time to act, and we are urging church leaders to join the #KeepTheLifeline campaign by signing a joint letter from The Trussell Trust (and 90+ other organisations) urging the government to abolish this cut, and avoid inflicting a devastating blow on struggling households in the communities we serve.
Simply click here to add your signature to an open letter due to be published at the end of September, and let your voice be heard alongside those of charities and church leaders up and down the country.
If you are keen to take action as a concerned Christian, or if you would like to share your story of how this change will affect you personally do visit the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) website where you can contact your MP and share your experiences.
