The scrapping of the uplift of Universal Credit will not be reversed after the Chancellor announced his budget.

Rishi Sunak did not mention the scrapping of the uplift, that was worth £20 a week, instead he announced changes to the taper for those in work to allow people to keep more of what they earn without losing out in benefits.

Sunak said the taper which is set at 63% would be reduced to 55%.

He said it was helping with the cost of living.

He said: “For many of the lowest paid there is a hidden tax on work.

He said of the taper of 63%: “It’s too high”.

He added: “To make sure work pays I’ve decided to cut it by not 1% or 2%, but by 8%

“This is a tax on working people and we’re cutting it to 55%.”

He said it was worth over £2bn. £1000 a year and it would be introduced this within weeks no later than December 1.

He said a single mother of two renting on National Minimum Wage would be better off by £1200.

A couple renting with two children, one working full time, one part time would be better off by £1800.

Sunak said: “This budget helps with cost of living.”

He also announced the increase in the National Living Wage for people aged 25 and over to £9.80 an hour.

The taper change was welcomed but would not make up for the cut for many not in work, it has been noted.

Labour shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said: "We Welcome the decision to reduce the Universal credit taper rates.

Working people still face a higher marginal tax rate than the Prime Minister

"Those unable to work will lose £1000 a year.

"Millions will still struggle to pay the bills this winter."

Citizens Advice Scotland Chief Executive Derek Mitchell said: “Changes to Universal Credit so working people can keep more of what they earn are very welcome, and something Citizens Advice Scotland has been campaigning for.

“However, for many it will not make up for the impact of reducing Universal Credit by £20 per week earlier in the month, particularly as inflation is rising and energy bills have gone up."