This week I've written about the Universal Credit debate that took place in Parliament this week. The Government took the decision at the start of the pandemic to increase Universal Credit payments by around £1,000 per year per claimant between March 2020 and March 2021. The Government is currently considering all options post March and will make a decision either at the Budget in March or shortly before.

I've made clear that I'm sympathetic to the Universal Credit uplift being extended beyond March. The reason why there was an increase was because of the immense economic disruption causes by COVID-19 and the reality is that this is hardly going to end in March, therefore I think there is a strong argument for extending this extra support beyond March.

This week the Labour Party have accused Conservative MPs such as myself as cutting support for the most vulnerable. This was absolutely not the case. This is a lie. None of us even voted on the non-binding motion because the decision will be made in March, not now.

The Labour Party continue to play politics with these Opposition Day motions just like they did on free school meals. Please check the facts and if you have any questions about my views on any of these issues, please email me on: tom.hunt.mp@parliament.uk

Full story here - https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/ipswich-mp-tom-hunt-universal-credit-column-6922142