Cotswold District Council leader Joe Harris has added his name to a letter signed by over 30 Liberal Democrat council leaders in England calling for the £20 increase in Universal Credit, introduced in March 2020, to be made permanent.

The letter follows a vote in Parliament held on Monday, January 18 and in which the government abstained.

The motion to increase Universal Credit was carried by 278 votes to nil with the Liberal Democrats and Labour voting in support.

Cllr Joe Harris, leader of Cotswold District Council, said: “Thousands of people in the Cotswolds are suffering as a result of the pandemic and the uplift in Universal Credit has been a lifeline to them.

"We should be increasing support to unemployed people and their families at this time, not reducing it, so the government should listen to what Parliament overwhelmingly told them on January 18 and make this £20 a week uplift permanent.

Cllr Lisa Spivey, cabinet member with responsibility for Universal Credit at Cotswold District Council, added: “Increasing support at this time is the right thing to do, as this is money which will be spent in local businesses and shops across the country, helping to support our high streets and keeping millions of people in jobs.

"The Conservative government needs to rethink its intention to end this uplift in April and do the right thing in supporting people who have suffered financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, through no fault of their own.”