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<p>It is not possible to produce a robust estimate of the impact of removing the £20
uplift on poverty or related issues. This is particularly the case at the moment given
the uncertainty around the speed of the economic recovery, and how this will be distributed
across the population.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In addition, foodbanks are independent,
charitable organisations and the Department for Work and Pensions does not have any
role in their operation. There is no consistent and accurate measure of food bank
usage at a constituency or national level.</p><p> </p><p>The latest poverty figures
(2019/20) demonstrate that absolute poverty rates (both before and after housing costs)
for working-age adults in working families have fallen since 2009/10. In 2019/20,
8% of working age adults in working families were in absolute poverty (before housing
costs), compared to 9% in 2009/10.</p><p> </p><p>Discretionary Housing Payments provide
critical support to vulnerable claimants, including those who are at risk of homelessness,
that need help with their housing costs.</p><p>For 2021-22 the Government has made
available £140m in Discretionary Housing Payments funding for local authorities in
England and Wales. In 2020-21 we boosted investment in the Local Housing Allowance
by almost £1 billion and have maintained rates in cash terms for 2021-22. In addition,
earlier this year we extended the exemptions from the shared accommodation rate of
Local Housing Allowance for care leavers and those who have spent at least three months
in a homeless hostel. From 31st May 2021 the care leavers exemption applies up to
age 25 and the homeless hostel exemption applies up to age 35.</p><p> </p><p>Work
Coaches support claimants to address their housing issues by signposting to relevant
housing services. Under “duty to refer” legislation, Jobcentres in England offer a
voluntary referral to claimants who may be homeless, or threatened with homelessness,
to local housing teams for support.”</p><p> </p><p>The Chancellor announced a temporary
six-month extension to the £20 per week uplift at the Budget on 3 March to support
households affected by the economic shock of Covid-19. Universal Credit has provided
a vital safety net for six million people during the pandemic, and the temporary uplift
was part of a COVID support package worth a total of £407 billion in 2020-21 and 2021-22.</p><p>
</p><p>There have been significant positive developments in the public health situation
since the uplift was first introduced. With the success of the vaccine rollout and
record job vacancies, it is right that our focus is on helping people back into work.</p><p>
</p><p>Through our Plan for Jobs, we are targeting tailored support schemes of people
of all ages to help them prepare for, get into and progress in work. These include:
Kickstart, delivering tens of thousands of six-month work placements for UC claimants
aged 16-24 at risk of unemployment; Restart, which provides 12 months’ intensive employment
support to UC claimants who are unemployed for a year; and JETS, which provides light
touch employment support for people who are claiming either Universal Credit or New
Style Jobseekers Allowance, for up to 6 months, helping participants effectively re-engage
with the labour market and focus their job search. We have also recruited an additional
13,500 work coaches to provide more intensive support to find a job. In total, our
Plan for Jobs interventions will support more than two million people.</p>
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