Despite the improvements to the job market that I and other jobseekers have seen first-hand over the last few months - we've been able to apply for a greater number of roles and successfully get interviews - the economy is still going to take much longer to recover, and ending the Universal Credit uplift in October will spell disaster for many young women like me.
Over two-thirds - 69% - of young women who claimed benefits since the start of the pandemic did so for the first time and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has estimated that 500,000 more people will be pushed into poverty when the cut goes ahead.
For me, the Universal Credit uplift has been a huge help. The extra weekly £20 helped me get out of a bad living situation and save up enough for a deposit to move to a better place. Being able to put away savings has given me peace of mind that if something unexpected happens, such as essential items needing repairs, I won’t struggle to afford other basics.
The prospect of not having the extra money to save makes me nervous.
There are many others like me who have seen an improvement to their living standards due to the uplift. I asked some young women from the Young Women’s Trust what impact the uplift had on their lives and what life will look like for them if cut goes ahead.
Liz
"I honestly didn't think an extra £20 would make such a huge difference, but it really has. I am so much calmer now and the thought of losing this boost is terrifying. I know what I will be going back to - uncontrollable anxiety, isolation, a worse diet and constant mental maths for how much every single thing will cost me.
"This has been a lifeline, not just for me, but for so many people I know, and I'm scared for everyone on UC to lose this during what are still very difficult times with such an unpredictable winter & future ahead of us."
Roxanne
"It has enabled me to feel a bit more secure as a disabled person, if I receive benefits and require care, I have to pay towards this cost, which can be in excess of £300 to £500.
"I will feel pressure to obtain enough as to not need to rely on UC and I’m worried about facing potential months needing to rely on this and what my quality of life will look like."
Gemma
"The £20 uplift has given me the opportunity to improve my online portfolio and blog which improves my employability and since improving my digital presence I have had a couple of interviews.
"When uplift is ended, I will not be able to keep my online presence active, making my job search much harder and forcing me to rely on Universal Credit for longer."
Other young women have told Young Women’s Trust that their physical and mental health has been significantly improved by the uplift. They spoke of the reduced financial stress, being able to buy more fruit and vegetables for their children and being able to cater for their allergies.
These are the young women who have been picking up the pieces during the pandemic, juggling childcare, loss of income and some of the most dangerous frontline jobs.
With increasing food prices, the last thing struggling people need is a loss of this vital support, and every pound counts. Cutting the uplift will lead to more people turning to food banks for help. A Food Standards Agency report in July this year revealed that almost one in three people whose only income was through social security had been to a food bank in the last year. The evidence is clear: this is not the right time to cut Universal Credit.
I am not alone in urging the government to keep the uplift. 100 organisations have signed an open letter to the prime minister, asking him to reconsider. There is power in numbers, and if more of us can challenge this impending cut, our voices cannot be ignored.
