Tory peer who helped set up universal credit calls for urgent increase in benefits

Baroness Stroud wants government action to tackle the rising cost of living

- ASHLEY COWBURN

A Conservative peer who helped set up the universal credit system has called on the government to urgently increase benefits in line with inflation as the cost of living crisis bites. Baroness Stroud, a former adviser to Iain Duncan Smith, also told The Independent that she thought the £20-per-week uplift, which was removed last autumn, should be restored by the Treasury.

"We're sitting on a cost of living crisis; we have the opportunity to intervene; we have done so in the past under difficult situations when it affected everybody," the Tory peer said. "But if governments have a responsibility to do anything, it is to act on behalf of vulnerable people. This is a moment to do that."

Lady Stroud's comments came amid escalating pressure on Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to introduce further support for families struggling with surging energy bills and food prices. On Wednesday it was revealed that inflation had soared to 9 per cent in the 12 months to April, hitting a 40-year high, as the chancellor admitted: "The next few months will be tough."