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
Historic Leeds watermill to reopen as a canal-side pub, cafe and museum
One of the best-preserved mills in Britain has been taken over by four new owners.
And they've got big plans for the place.
Will Habergham, Terry George, Michael Rothwell and Kirk Allen have taken ownership of Thwaite Mills - a Grade II listed site at Stourton, Leeds, that will start to undergo a full restoration this week, more than two years after the mill closed to the public in April 2024.
The work is expected to take around 12 months and will be carried out alongside volunteers from Friends of Thwaite Mills, the supporters' group the new owners are relaunching as part of the project.
Image: Supplied
No reopening date has been set yet, but early plans include reopening the mill as a working museum, a pub and cafe with canal-side seating, and fully landscaped grounds free for walkers, runners and dog walkers to use.
Not only that, but a programme of free family events is planned and the owners are exploring the return of the craft fairs and car boot sales that the site was once known for.
"Thwaite Mills was saved by its community once before, and it'll be brought back by its community now," said Will Habergham, director of Thwaite Mills.
"We're not going to disappear for a year and come back with a ribbon to cut. We want people watching it happen, turning up, and telling us what they want this place to be."
Built between 1823 and 1825, Thwaite Mills worked first as a flax mill and later produced whiting and paint, operating commercially until 1975, when a broken weir threatened its future. Local volunteers stepped in to save it the following year, and it opened as a museum in 1990, welcoming visitors until it closed in April 2024.
And now, Thwaite Mills is set to enter a brand-new era and you can follow the restoration journey here.
An après-ski themed beer house is opening on Leeds’ Call Lane this October
Clementine Hall
Lederhosen at the ready Leeds, because a new party bar is coming to the city.
Taking over the former Revolución de Cuba venue on Call Lane, the site will close for a major refurbishment before reopening in October as the seventh Barbara’s Bier Haus in the UK.
This isn't your average bar, guests can expect a proper themed experience with dancing bartenders in lederhosen, shot skis, DJs and interactive entertainment alongside beer and cocktail towers, shareable pizzas and wursts bringing the on-the-slopes atmosphere to the city.
Basically, it's time to cancel your upcoming skip trip as Barbara's will be bringing the slopes to you.
Image: Supplied
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said about the opening: “Leeds has a fantastic nightlife scene, so it’s the perfect place for Barbara’s Bier Haus.
"The city is known for its energy and its love of a good night out, and Barbara’s brings something a little different with its après-ski theme, entertainment and big party atmosphere. We’re really excited to bring Barbara’s to Leeds and can’t wait to get the doors open this October.”
Images: Supplied
The upcoming Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Barbara’s Bier Haus across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its core brands following its acquisition of 20 Revolution and Revolución de Cuba venues earlier this year.
Further details on the Leeds opening of Barbara's Bier Haus, including exclusive launch events and entertainment schedules will be announced ahead of October - and we'll of course be bringing you all the details.
Georgina Pellant -
29th September 2021 
