Between 2016 and 2020, the Government “froze” the rates of welfare benefits and tax credits. Payments weren’t increased in line with inflation. We want the Government to restore benefits to the levels they’d be at had the freeze not occurred.
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The freeze was part of the Government’s response to the 2008 financial crisis. It’s led to benefits today being 6% lower than they should be. In 2019 the chancellor said that the Government had “turned the page on austerity”. The freeze has saved the UK £8 billion.
The coronavirus has put the poor under a particular financial burden. Some of the most vulnerable in society rely on welfare to keep them safe and healthy. Benefits have increased but only temporarily and not for all. It’s time to reverse the freeze.