Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Raising the value of benefits would have been preferable to sending out a string of lump sum cost of living payments to households, according to a leading UK economics thinktank which has dubbed the sporadic cash boosts an “ineffective sticking plaster”.

Cost of living payments are ‘ineffective sticking plaster’, warns IFS

Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised a levelling-up White Paper in the recent Queen's Speech

Research reveals most urgent issues facing North East Bedfordshire residents

The increase in payments was only designed to last a year. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Universal Credit payments could be decreased in April 2021 - here's why