Monday 23 May 2022 02:40 PM Treasury says Universal Credit uplift 'not going to return' - but No10 insists ... trends now
View
comments
Downing Street today insisted 'all options' are being considered to help Britons struggling with the cost-of-living crisis - despite a Treasury minister having earlier ruled out a return of the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit seen during the Covid crisis.
In more confusion over how the Government will provide greater help for households in the face of soaring bills - with an extra package of measures expected within weeks - there were further signs of discord between Number 10 and Number 11.
Tory MPs have been calling for a boost to benefits as part of new action to help with the cost of living.
Simon Clarke, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, this morning appeared to reject those demands as he outlined how the uplift to Universal Credit had been a 'temporary response' provided during the pandemic.
But, asked later whether a fresh uplift to Universal Credit was now not being considered, the Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted the Government was 'keeping all our options open'.
The confusion will add to claims of tensions between Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak over how to provide extra help to Britons, and whether support should be funded through a windfall tax on the massive profits of oil and gas companies.
The PM and Mr Sunak are reported to be at odds over how - or even if - such a levy should be implemented and what the proceeds should be spent on.
Simon Clarke, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said the £20-a-week uplift to Universal