The Tory Chancellor is understood to be ‘open to the idea’ of keeping a one-year rise beyond April 2021 – but sources say it will depend on where we are’ despite warnings of mass poverty

Rishi Sunak is refusing to rule out slashing Universal Credit by £20 a week next April.

The Chancellor is understood to be “open to the idea” of keeping a special one-year Covid rise in the benefit.

But with weeks to go before ministers must confirm benefit rates for 2021, he is holding out on pledging the cash.

The Government announced a one-year, £1,040-a-year rise in Universal Credit in April to help households through the coronavirus crisis.

The change massively boosted the standard allowance for singles over 25 from £318 to £410 a month.