Leading health and social care organisations urge government to retain £20 universal credit ‘uplift’ and extend increase to legacy benefits

Groups representing doctors, nurses and social workers highlight 'established link' between poverty and poor health, which is worsening in the face of Covid-19

Leading health and social care organisations have called on the government to retain the £20 universal credit 'uplift' - which was introduced as a temporary measure at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and is due to expire at the end of March 2021 - and extend the increase to legacy benefits.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the organisations - that include the British Psychological Society, the Association of Directors of Public Health, the British Association of Social Workers, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the Royal College of Nursing - say that -

'As organisations working across health and care, we see the irrefutable evidence that poverty has significant negative impacts on individuals, their families and society more widely. This uplift in universal credit has been a lifeline for many people in supporting them through the pandemic, it is crucial that this is maintained as the country seeks to recover from its impacts.'

Noting Joseph Rowntree Foundation analysis which shows that, if the 'uplift' is discontinued, 6.2 million families will face a £1,040 a year cut to their income, with 700,000 more people being pulled into poverty, including 300,000 children, the organisations add that -

'There is an established link between poverty and poor health, which is worsening in the face of Covid-19. The excess mortality rates in the most socioeconomically deprived areas due to the virus is proof of this. We are therefore urging you to make the uplift permanent and to continue to support a recovery that puts health and flourishing at its heart.'

In addition, highlighting that more than two million people on legacy benefits - most of whom are disabled people and people with long-term mental and physical health conditions - have not been offered the same lifeline, the organisations say that -

'Many of these people are at greater risk from Covid-19, and are taking more extreme and prolonged measures, to protect themselves. This not only increases their living costs, but intensifies their mental and physical strain which in turn worsens health. We urge you to ensure that the full support of this lifeline is extended to those on legacy benefits.'

In conclusion, the organisations say that -

'We have recently welcomed what seems to be strong consensus against cutting this lifeline in the middle of a recession. However, we have been concerned of rumours of short-term extensions or one-off payments which would be insufficient and ineffective. We believe making the uplift permanent would be a worthwhile and sensible investment, and strongly urge the government to keep doing the right thing, keep families afloat and keep the lifeline.'

For more information, see British Psychological Society leads calls for the government to keep £20 universal credit uplift to avoid decades of health inequality from bps.org.uk