Today’s papers are splashed with good news on the pace of the vaccine rollout, with over-70s now being invited for a jab. However, the issue currently causing angst in the Tory party is universal credit. Last week, Labour attacked the government over free school meals, today they will put the government under pressure over the universal credit uplift. At the start of the pandemic in April last year, Rishi Sunak increased the payment by £20 a week.
The issue of whether that increase will continue will be discussed at opposition day debate this evening. Boris Johnson is being urged to extend the benefit increase beyond 31 March when it is currently set to come to an end. This is an idea that has won support with many Tory MPs. The Northern Research Group — of over 50 MPs including some in red wall seats — have called on the Chancellor to extend the uplift. A number of right-leaning think tanks have also argued in favour of an extension, suggesting it would help with promises to ‘level up’ the regions.
What is currently lacking in government is a clear sense of what areas should be prioritised when it comes to funding
However, Rishi Sunak is reluctant to make any decision just yet. While
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