AQW 21913/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/09/2021
Answered On Date: 14/09/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on her discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions on the retention of the £20 per week Covid uplift to benefits; and what action she is taking to mitigate against this loss of financial support for claimants from the end September 2021.

Answer:

Throughout my time in office I have repeatedly demonstrated my determination to protect the most vulnerable people in our society and to targeting resources to those most in need.

In my letter to Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 26 July I expressed my grave concern that the £20 uplift in Universal Credit is being withdrawn, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I have written again on 30 August to Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in a joint letter with the Scottish and Welsh Ministers to seek the continuation of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit. This is similar to a joint letter that was issued on 12 November 2020.

If the uplift is not extended after 5 October 2021, I will include it as part of the planned review of welfare mitigations measures.