Context
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that the Government's planned cut to Universal Credit will impact 21% of working-age families in Portsmouth South and nearly half of those with children. The Bank of England forecasts a salary decrease by 1.25% after tax and inflation this year.
Question
What assessment has been made of the potential effect of ending the universal credit uplift on the risk of poverty among benefit claimants? To make matters worse, after-tax salaries are forecast to fall by 1.25% due to inflation, affecting my constituents' purchasing power this winter. What immediate plans does the Minister have to support these families?
Answer from David Rutley
The hon. Gentleman's constituents will have opportunities to fill vacancies in their area, and we understand that there will be vulnerable families needing extra support this winter. £1.8 million has been allocated to families in Portsmouth through local authorities.
Not addressed: Specific plans or measures to directly address the impact of Universal Credit cuts were not provided.
How: The Hon.
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