Laura Sharman 15 September 2021

Report warns UC uplift is 'lifeline' for vulnerable young people

Report warns UC uplift is lifeline for vulnerable young people image

Vulnerable young people leaving supported housing will be disproportionately affected by the cut to Universal Credit, a new report has warned.

Research by the YMCA warned the removal of the £20 uplift would force more young people into shared accommodation, which is often unsuitable for those with complex needs.

It found that young people living in social housing in lower-income areas would see their money halved from £170pcm to £83 without the lift. YMCA argues this is the difference between a young person being able to break even and getting into debt.

Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England & Wales, said: 'For many vulnerable 16-to-24-year-olds, the uplift means that their vital monthly lifeline of £257 – which is already lower than their 25+ counterparts - is boosted significantly by £87 at a critical time in their lives.

'By removing the uplift, the choices a young person has when moving out of supported housing narrow dramatically, impacting the type of accommodation they move in to, access to employment opportunities, and how much money - if any - they have left after covering necessities.

'While YMCA appreciates that difficult decisions must be made in order to support the economic recovery of the country after a truly traumatic time, the removal of this lifeline is not a feasible or a fair decision.'

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