Councils have been urged to lobby the Government to make the £20 uplift in Universal Credit permanent by trade union Unite.

The call comes as a new survey shows more than half of the public (54%) support the move to extend the weekly boost beyond next April.

The survey shows 70% of Labour supporters are in favour of the increase, with 40% of Conservatives also backing the uplift.

Unite assistant general secretary, Steve Turner, said: ‘We are urging the chancellor to make Christmas for the poorest families by saying that the £20 uplift will stay beyond next April. Just do the decent thing and give them this small income security.

’This Survation survey provides further strong evidence as why we’re asking Unite members stand in solidarity and to call on councillors and others to join us in a coalition to force the government to retain the £20 increase, end the waiting time and extend payment to all legacy benefits.’

A charity said that over 400,000 more families with children started claiming universal credit since the start of the pandemic.