Universal Credit uplift in spotlight amid 'huge increase' in poverty in Leeds

In a white paper motion to be voted on by full council next week, Coun Debra Coupar says that poverty is recognised as being one of the biggest challenges facing the city today.

Her motion goes on to support campaigning by trade unions and other organisation in the city who are concerned about the Government's plan to reverse a £20 uplift in Universal Credit that was introduced back in April in response to the pandemic.

It calls for the uplift to instead be made permanent and for the Government to develop an urgent national strategy on the "poverty emergency".

The motion on the poverty emergency says: "Council recognises one of the biggest challenges is the huge increase in poverty in Leeds caused by 10 years of austerity and the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrated by the fact over 70,000 people in Leeds now claim Universal Credit.

"Council welcomes local work undertaken to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on our communities but believes the Government’s confusing and inconsistent implementation of restrictions in response to Covid-19 has contributed to the loss of jobs and rise in Universal Credit claimants."

The standard Universal Credit allowance is £342.72 per month for a single person under 25, rising to £594.04 for couple over 25. This is then topped up for people who have children, who are unable to work due to a disability or health condition, or who need help paying rent.

It is replacing previous benefits such as child and working tax credits, housing benefit, income support and Jobseeker's Allowance.

While damning of the Government, the motion praises the efforts of those involved in the Healthy Holidays programme in Leeds, which has been working to address the problem of holiday hunger since 2017.

The focus is on vulnerable and disadvantaged children, particularly who would usually receive free schools meal during term-time.

As the coronavirus crisis has deepened and awareness of food poverty grew last autumn, Leeds Community Foundation set up a special fund to raise money specifically to help tackle the issue in Leeds.

Nearly £64,000 has been donated to date, with the money being distributed to Leeds organisations who provide nutritious meals alongside sport, creative and social activities during the school holidays.

Coun Coupar's motion welcomes the support from organisations who have provided tens of thousands of food parcels to people in need during the pandemic, but said the very need to do so demonstrates a "colossal failure" at national government level to tackle poverty.

If the motion is adopted by the council following the debate and vote on January 13, chief executive Tom Riordan will be required to write to the Government to call for the Universal Credit uplift to be made permanent.

The Government will also be urged to develop an "urgent national strategy" focused on how the poverty emergency can be tackled in communities.

The full wording of the motion on the poverty emergency:

On behalf of the people of Leeds, this Council recognises the invaluable work of so many local organisations and individuals, and in particular expresses our huge gratitude to our key workers for their phenomenal dedication and sacrifices during this long period of intense pressure.

Council welcomes the development and roll out of vaccinations in the battle to suppress Covid-19, but recognises that significant challenges still remain.

Council recognises one of the biggest challenges is the huge increase in poverty in Leeds caused by 10 years of austerity and the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrated by the fact over 70,000 people in Leeds now claim Universal Credit.

Council welcomes local work undertaken to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on our communities but believes the Government’s confusing and inconsistent implementation of restrictions in response to Covid-19 has contributed to the loss of jobs and rise in Universal Credit claimants.

Council shares the concerns of organisations in Leeds, including Trade Unions, who are concerned by the Government’s plan to reverse the £20 uplift in Universal Credit, which would see support for unemployed people fall to its lowest level in real terms since 1990-91. Council is particularly concerned by the impact this will have on child poverty, with 35,000 children in Leeds currently living in poverty.

Council welcomes the support of key partners to help address Holiday Hunger in Leeds, including the provision of tens of thousands of food parcels to those in need since the start of the pandemic, although Council believes the provision of such support demonstrates a colossal failure at national Government level to tackle poverty.

Council requests the Chief Executive write on Council’s behalf to the Secretary of State to call for the Government to make the £20 uplift in Universal Credit permanent as a first step in helping to address poverty, and for the Government to then develop an urgent national strategy with funding to address the poverty emergency blighting our communities.

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.