What is the £20 uplift?
Due to Covid, the Government added £20 a week to Universal Credit. The uplift ended this October, despite the effects of the pandemic continuing to disproportionately impact the UK’s poorest.
Why is it going to court?
Whilst the uplift itself was arguably inadequate, £20 can make a massive difference to people on low incomes; for example, the difference between being able to do the supermarket shop or going hungry. But people on ‘legacy benefits’ - those who have not yet been ‘migrated’ over to Universal Credit - never received the uplift at all. The pending court case is based on the unfairness of this disparity.
Who is bringing the case?
Two disabled people who claim ESA (Employment Support Allowance). One of them, Philip Wayland, has spoken of how ‘for far too long the sick and disabled community have been treated appallingly by many governments. This must change.’ (1)
What’s judicial review?
When government policy and actions are challenged in the higher courts. In this case the government’s decision not to extend the £20 uplift to those on legacy benefits is argued to contravene the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights - unrelated to Brexit) because it discriminates against disabled people.
Wasn’t the uplift always going to be temporary anyway?
Yes, so the claimants are seeking backdated pay up to £1500 each.
Will they succeed?
It’s possible – once the claimants have been granted a full hearing, the government wins 50% of their cases and loses 40%, with the remaining ones being withdrawn or still in progress.
(2). But at the very least, it will further expose this government’s lack of support for the sick and disabled.
The hearing is this week – 17th and 19th November.
Further information: