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Former work & pensions secretaries urge Chancellor to keep £20 increase to universal credit: 'It is time for Government to listen'

London, 7 July 2021 - Six Conservative former secretaries of state for work and pensions have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging him to extend the weekly £20 increase to universal credit beyond September.

In response to the news Save the Children's UK Impact Director, Dan Paskins, said:

"We are pleased to see six former secretaries of state for work & pensions call on the Chancellor to keep the £20 a week increase to Universal Credit in place past September.

"The £20 increase has been a lifeline for those both in and out of work, and families we work with have told us they have relied on it to buy food and essentials for themselves and their children. If this is cut, even more children will be pushed into poverty and hardship.

"All children deserve to grow up with the opportunities they need to develop and thrive. Now is the time for the UK government to listen to the growing number of voices expressing support, and abandon plans to cut Universal Credit this autumn."