'I'm answering that!' James Cleverly fires back at Dan Walker in Universal Credit grilling
JAMES Cleverly appeared rattled as BBC presenter Dan Walker grilled him about Universal Credit issues.
BBC Breakfast: Dan grills James Cleverly over Universal Credit
Minister of State James Cleverly has fired back at Dan Walker after intense Universal Credit grilling, saying “I am answering that!” The grilling came after Boris Johnson was warned that the cut of the 20-pound uplift, which was put in place to help help families struggling in the wake of the economic fallout, would put more than 800,000 people into poverty.
“There are more than 5 million people who receive Universal Credit losing that 20 pounds a week uplift.
“In the light of this, no doubt increased costs for energy. Will you as a government reconsider looking at Universal Credit issues?”
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James Cleverly replied: “Well, one of the things that we should remember is that the UK economy has shown itself to be remarkably resilient.”
Dan Walker interjected: “Can I interrupt- I didn't ask you about the UK economy, I asked you about Universal Credit.”
Mr Cleverly continued: “And I'm answering about Universal Credit.
“But Universal Credit is about employment than income, employment and income is absolutely linked to the economy.
“And as I say the UK economy has shown itself to be resilient.
“We now have vacancies in the job market, a significant number of vacancies and job market, which means employers will have to offer more to fill those vacancies or retain members of staff who might otherwise move to job offers that are out there.”
He went on: “And that we'll have the good old-fashioned supply and demand curves. There's an increase in demand, that will mean that the wages should rise.
“And ultimately of course that is the healthy sustainable way of making sure that people have good, decent pay packets and that's through employment.”
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Boris Johnson has been warned that more than 800,000 people risk being plunged into poverty as a result of an imminent cut to universal credit.
The government increased Universal Credit by £20 per week during the pandemic, to help families struggling in the wake of the economic fallout, but the uplift will be cut by October.
Some 5.9 million people in the UK are currently receiving Universal Credit.
A government spokesperson said the £20 universal credit uplift had always been a temporary measure.
They said: “It was designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic, and it has done so.
“Universal credit will continue to provide vital support for those both in and out of work and it’s right that the government should focus on our plan for jobs, supporting people back into work and supporting those already employed to progress and earn more.”