Tory minister Thérèse Coffey accused of not knowing how Universal Credit works

Thérèse Coffey is being roasted on social media after she said claimants can work two hours extra per week in order to make up for the £20 uplift of Universal Credit the government plans to scrap at the end of the month.

But in the interview with BBC Breakfast, she fails to acknowledge the earning taper that means those who work more hours, receive less benefits.

During the interview, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said: “I’m conscious that £20 a week is about two hours’ extra work every week – we will be seeing what we can do to help people perhaps secure those extra hours, but ideally also to make sure they’re also in a place to get better paid jobs as well.”

When asked to provide more details about asking people to work for longer, the minister said: “It’s a temporary uplift recognising the reason that it was introduced is coming to an end.”

Coffey’s comments have led people to accuse her of not knowing how Universal Credit works because it seems Coffey has forgotten that there is an earning taper for claimants - though there were plenty of people online to remind her.

Deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner criticised Coffey’s comments and argued that doing two hours per week simply would not be enough to make up for the £20 that is going to be scrapped by the government.

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She tweeted: “This is a lie and the Work and Pensions Secretary either knows she’s lying or shouldn’t be in the job.

“An additional £20 for a UC claimant isn’t 2 hours work, that’s not how the taper works.

“An extra £20 would require £50+ worth of hours, that is how the UC system works.”

While Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health Dr Rosena Allin-Khan tweeted about the difference the £20 uplift can make to families on a low income which the government plans to get rid of soon.

Resolution Foundation, an independent think tank that aims to improve “living standards for those on low to middle incomes” also explained why Coffey’s comments are not true.

People on Twitter were quick to point this factor out to the Tory minister and also highlighted that for every £1 earned a claimant loses 63p from their Universal Credit money since the taper rate is 63 per cent and so would need to work way more hours than Coffey said in order to earn £20.

A Government Spokesperson told Indy100: “Many claimants are eligible for an in-work allowance, which means that the taper rate does not apply and people keep more of what they earn. For the lowest earners working two hours more per week at National Living Wage can add up to around £20.

“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, getting people back into work and helping those already employed to progress and earn more.”

The Universal Credit uplift was first introduced back at the start of the first lockdown as a temporary measure due to people being affected by the pandemic.

However, this scheme will now end on 6th October as confirmed by the government.

According to research from YouGov and food poverty charity the Trussell Trust, this will leave recipients £1,040 a year worse-off.