Edward Pickering of CAB CITIZENS Advice is urging the Government against ‘devastating’ cuts to Universal Credit which it warns could plunge many Craven households into further hardship. It says half of those now seeking its advice on benefits have never needed its support before, and in Craven, the number of people claiming Universal Credit has risen 84 per cent since the coronavirus pandemic started. Now, it fears that families could be pushed into further hardship if the £20 per week Universal Credit ‘uplift’ ends as planned in April. Families will struggle with the loss of £20, which it says to many is the equivalent of three days food, and almost seven days energy costs.