To consider the motion submitted by Councillor Serjeant in accordance with Standing Order No. 21:
Universal Credit
The Chancellor has extended the £20 uplift to Universal Credit for six months in his March budget. Unemployment is expected to continue to rise into the new year.
The UK has one of the weakest welfare safety nets in Europe which has been cruelly exposed by the pandemic – and it would be wrong morally and financially to end the £20 uplift in the future.
The total number of households on Universal Credit across the Borough of Chesterfield is now over 6708. The removal of the £20 increase would cast many more into poverty.
The Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres notes the permanent increase in UC would not only give a financial boost to some of the county’s most deprived families, but would have a positive impact on the local economy – and, therefore, strong reasons for local councils to put pressure on the chancellor.
We call on the Chesterfield Borough Council through the Leader of the Council to:
· Write to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding that the £20 increase to Universal Credit is made permanent and extended to claimants on legacy benefits
· Urge the government to end the five week wait for Universal Credit by converting advances into grants instead of loans.
· Continue to work alongside partner organisations to provide help and assistance wherever possible to all those struggling during these difficult times.
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor Serjeant and seconded by Councillor J Innes that:
Universal Credit
The Chancellor has extended the £20 uplift to Universal Credit for six months in his March budget. Unemployment is expected to continue to rise into the new year.
The UK has one of the weakest welfare safety nets in Europe which has been cruelly exposed by the pandemic – and it would be wrong morally and financially to end the £20 uplift in the future.
The total number of households on Universal Credit across the Borough of Chesterfield is now over 6708. The removal of the £20 increase would cast many more into poverty.
The Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres notes the permanent increase in UC would not only give a financial boost to some of the county’s most deprived families, but would have a positive impact on the local economy – and, therefore, strong reasons for local councils to put pressure on the chancellor.
We call on the Chesterfield Borough Council through the Leader of the Council to:
· Write to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding that the £20 increase to Universal Credit is made permanent and extended to claimants on legacy benefits
· Urge the government to end the five week wait for Universal Credit by converting advances into grants instead of loans.
· Continue to work alongside partner organisations to provide help and assistance wherever possible to all those struggling during these difficult times.
On being put to the vote the motion was declared carried.