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Well, compared to nothing, this is something. But a short thread on why this is a terrible idea and the Government should make the £20/week boost permanent. https://twitter.com/Steven_Swinford/status/1350370127397740544
First, it's a one of payment and will be very confusing for claimants trying to manage on a tight budget. Many will, but at the same time, many will struggle (there's enough evidence that moving from weekly to monthly payments has caused enough hardship)
Second it's worth half the value of keeping the £20/week boost over this year and much more beyond. Under any sensible measure basic UC awards are not enough to live on long term. £75/week is not enough for a single adult.
Third, 40% of claimants get less than this because they are repaying debts.
Fourth, new claimants won't get any of this boost, and with unemployment rising it'll be harder for claimants to get a job, meaning they have to live off of substandard benefits for longer.
Fifth, increasing benefits so fewer people live in poverty is a great way to improve the economy, because of the way Universal Credit works, claimants will have almost identical work incentives.
Sixth, millions of the beneficiaries with children (UC and WTC) are in work. The benefit tops up their wage because for a single parent a low wage job is not enough. Around two thirds of children in poverty a working parent.
Seventh, most of the newly unemployed on Universal Credit will have previously been in work. It is perfectly fair to offer decent unemployment support when they fall on hard times due to no fault of their own.
Eight, benefit rates have been falling compared to earnings for the last 20 years. This helps restore benefits to a meaningful level.
Ninth, the cost of the boost (£6-7bn) is high, but a fraction of other support spent of the JRS and SEISS during this crisis. If we're willing to provide more support during a crisis, why not more support to those who made unemployed - a crisis for them.
And tenth, median benefit replacement rates are around 50% without the boost. Imagine paying rent, bills and food with half the money - impossible. The fear of losing your home whilst rapidly looking for a job, when few jobs are going, is not good for your health.
A bonus! Benefits come with conditionality - that is those who are able, have to look for work to receive their full entitlement. An extra £20/week does nothing to effect this. If anything it improves the relationship with the jobcentre.
