A man from Leeds who's currently living on less than £7 a day has begged the government not to cut Universal Credit payments down to pre-pandemic levels.
The £20 weekly top-up payment for those claiming Universal Credit was introduced by the government to help people, but now ministers are insisting that it be stopped.
Matthew held a position as a sales manager for 8 years, but everything went wrong for him after being illegally evicted from his home shortly after losing his position - at which point he discovered that the existing safety net provided to tax payers by the DWP is minimal.
Instead, he relied on charities and the church to help get him back on his feet. With their help, he managed to get back into having a nice house to live in, but he says he's still been unable to find work.
He told Leeds Live that he feels that there should be more financial support to help get people back into training, not less - saying that living on £50 a week is "impossible at the moment."
“I already don’t pay for my gas, I already cut it out.
“That extra £20 doesn’t seem like a lot but to me it is.”
Saying he is not currently looking for work because he's "trying to survive every day" he added that with a "bit of support, counselling back into work I could quite easily get back into work."
The benefit uplift that ministers want to cut is worth £1,040 a year to around 6 million Universal Credit claimants, many of whom are in low-paid jobs, at a cost to the government of around £6bn a year.
Charities, think tanks and unions across the country have warned against removing the uplift on 6 October, explaining that it will hit some of the poorest families the hardest at a time when energy bills are set to soar and the furlough scheme is coming to an end - which will likely push more people into unemployment.
They have also argued that it could hit the UK's coronavirus recovery, as it will mean millions losing dispoable income for spending on essentials.
All of this means that Rishi Sunak is coming under increasing pressure this week to u-turn on his decision to abandon the benefit uplift after many people have spoken out in defense of those in need, like Matthew.
Fellow minister Grant Shapps attempted to defend Sunak's decision this week but was ridiculed after he wrongly claimed that keeping the uplift would cost “several pennies” on income tax.
However, it was revealed that his claim regarding the cost of keeping the benefit uplift was several times higher than the official figure. HMRC figures have shown that if the chancellor decided to fund the tax this way it would cost less than 1%.
Feature image - Matthew Jeffrey
News
Trinity Kitchen to undergo £15m expansion creating a one-of-a-kind rooftop food hall destination
Trinity Kitchen is about to get a huge revamp with work due to commence in spring.
Trinity Leeds has revealed that Freight Island, the team behind the UK’s leading food hall and entertainment venue, will operate the expanded Trinity Kitchen.
The whopping £15m renovation is aiming to deliver a one-of-a-kind destination food hall experience to Leeds.
The project, which has received planning approval from Leeds City Council, represents Trinity Leeds’ largest single investment since the centre first opened its doors.
The expansion will revitalise a previously unused 15,000 sq ft area above Trinity Kitchen, creating a 63,000 sq ft food and leisure destination that includes a striking new outdoor terrace overlooking City Square.
Image: Supplied
Work will begin late spring and once complete, Freight Island will operate the new food and leisure space.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “Delivering an exceptional visitor experience has always been our top priority here at Trinity Leeds. Since launching in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has been an exciting and evolving concept, and our new plans will mark its most exciting chapter yet.
"The venue will be transformed into a spectacular multi-level dining, entertainment and dynamic leisure venue, enhanced by additional space and a new terrace to bring the atmosphere outdoors.
“Freight Island will help to elevate our food and drink offering, creating an expansive and immersive venue, with exciting opportunities for new brands and operators to join our thriving community. Together, we will build on Trinity Kitchen’s decade-long success, ensuring it continues to grow its appeal as a best-in-class food and leisure destination.”
Dan Morris, Managing Director of Freight Island, said: “Trinity Kitchen is an iconic Leeds destination with a decade-long reputation for championing independent food traders and creating a genuinely social dining experience. We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Freight Island to Trinity Leeds as part of this landmark expansion."
Ne-Yo and Akon announce huge joint arena show at Leeds’ First Direct Arena
Daisy Jackson
Two R&B greats are heading out on a joint headline tour for the very first time, as Ne-Yo and Akon announced the Nights Like This global tour.
Both artists are Grammy Award winners, and each has a formidable back catalogue of chart-topping hits.
For Ne-Yo, that includes songs like Miss Independent, So Sick, and Closer; while for Akon, he's responsible for huge tracks like Smack That, Lonelty, and Right Now (Na Na Na).
Between them, they've shaped and defined radio, nightlife, and pop culture for decades.
This newly-announced tour will see the pair performing on the same stage - for Leeds, that's the First Direct Bank Arena.
They'll perform in a unique back-and-forth set throughout the show, visiting venues right across the UK and Europe, as well as heading across to the USA and Canada.
The nostalgic gigs will feature everything from slow jams to club anthems, with a party atmosphere throughout.
Ne-Yo and Akon will perform at the First Direct Bank Arena on Thursday 30 April 2026, with tickets on sale this Friday 30 January at 10am.
There will be an artist pre-sale on Wednesday 28 January at 10am.
Nights Like This EU/UK 2026 tour dates
Fri 24 Apr – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Mon 27 Apr – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena Newcastle
Tue 28 Apr – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 30 Apr – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Fri 1 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 4 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Georgina Pellant -
29th September 2021 
