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Don’t listen to the politicians who claim the UC uplift is too expensive. They are wrong and this is why:
1) The UK has one of the least supportive welfare systems among OECD countries according to the IPPR. EVEN WITH THE UPLIFT. Even the United States pays better benefits!
1) The UK has one of the least supportive welfare systems among OECD countries according to the IPPR. EVEN WITH THE UPLIFT. Even the United States pays better benefits!
2) To overcome the pandemic crisis we must stimulate the economy, as proved by JRF's latest reports. Providing families with money they need to spend on essentials will do just that and if you don't believe us look at recent polling by the JRF of parents on means-tested benefits:
70% of families were cutting back on essentials like food or electricity, 60% were borrowing money, and 50% were behind on rent or other essential bills. The £6bn invested in UC would bear fruit rapidly as families would be able to afford more essentials.
3) Keeping the uplift means supporting the millions of people who will be unemployed through no fault of their own, it means lifting the strain on people's physical and mental health during and after this pandemic. It's not just about economics, but about what society we want.
What's the takeway? The UK needs to foster a virtuous cycle: the government #KeepsTheLifeline, families spend that money on what they need, this stimulates the economy, economic activity goes up and the financial downturn is reverted.
Share our post with your MP to see if they support good economics! It's urgent to make the temporary £20 a week uplift permanent, and extend this uplift to people on legacy benefits.
You can read more about the JRF’s research here: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/strengthen-social-security-stronger-economy
You can read more about the JRF’s research here: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/strengthen-social-security-stronger-economy
