More than two million benefit claimants could get £1,040 in back pay if the government loses a legal battle over whether it was fair to exclude disabled people from extra Covid support.
At the start of the pandemic, Chancellor Rishi Sunak introduced a £20 a week uplift for more than six million Universal Credit claimants struggling due to Covid.
However, the boost, which was described as a lifeline, did not include those on so called ‘legacy benefits’, the majority of whom are disabled, sick or carers.
Two recipients of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) this week challenged this decision at the High Court for judicial review.