Traveller Movement responds to Universal Credit uplift cut and proposed National Insurance increases

Immediate release
Date: 08 September 2021

Traveller Movement responds to Universal Credit uplift cut and proposed National Insurance increases

The axing of the £20 universal credit uplift and proposed changes to national insurance contributions are a hammer blow to those trapped in poverty; who are already on the brink following a decade of austerity and the impact of policy decisions made in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many universal credit claimants, the £20 uplift is the difference between covering basic living costs or not. The impact is even greater for minority communities. Gypsy Roma Traveller people face significant structural barriers in accessing the labour market and public services including, in some instances, access to state benefits delivered at the local authority level.

As the Government takes with one hand, it takes with the other too. Proposed increases to national insurance contributions will disproportionately hit workers whilst the wealthiest in society, who have seen their wealth increase throughout the pandemic, will be left unaffected.

Implementation of such regressive, reactionary policies will be devastating to the working class and, as always, those who are already marginalised will bear the heaviest burden.

The Traveller Movement supports the Keep the Lifeline campaign to maintain Universal Credit at its current levels, and supports proposals by the Labour Party to institute a wealth tax.

ENDS

Contact details
Greg Sproston, Policy & Campaigns Manager
Policymanager@travellermovement.org.uk
T: +44 7481 477229
W: /

Notes to Editor

* The Traveller Movement (TM) is a national community development policy and voice charity who campaign against discrimination, promote inclusion, participation and community engagement for the Irish Traveller and Gypsy communities in Britain. TM is proud to work in partnership with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities together with service providers and policy makers across the UK to better promote social inclusion and community cohesion. Visit website here: /