The Government was accused of being 'in denial' over the impact of the plan to scrap the £1,040 a year uplift on poorer familiesTop Tory rejects plea over £20 Universal Credit cut as MPs warn of 'severe hardship'Hundreds of thousands of people will be plunged into poverty if Tory ministers press ahead with plans to cut Universal Credit next month, MPs have warned. The number of people claiming Universal Credit has rocketed during the pandemic, with 6 million people receiving the benefit in January, compared to around 3 million in March 2020. He said: "The £20 cut will plunge hundreds of thousands, including children, into poverty. "The Government’s new employment support schemes are welcome, but 40% of Universal Credit claimants are already in work. "The Government must change course to prevent severe hardship for many thousands of families.”

Source: Daily Mirror August 31, 2021 22:52 UTC