// Iceland boss Richard Walker urges Tories to increase Universal Credit for those on low incomes

// He described Liz Truss’ priorities as “odd” as he spoke at the Conservative Party Conference

Iceland boss Richard Walker has called on the Conservative Party to increase Universal Credit to £20 a week.

Walker, who is the managing director of the frozen food retailer, described new Prime Minister’s Liz Truss’ priorities as “odd” as he spoke at the Conservative Party Conference.

He added that he was puzzled by tax cuts for the wealthy coupled with a lack of support for those on low incomes.

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The government resisted calls to increase benefit support to help with the rising cost of living, while unveiling huge tax cuts for the highest earners and scrapping caps on bankers’ bonuses.

Walker twice told delegates that he believed a £20 uplift for those on low incomes would make a huge difference.

He added that the government do understand – “but not fully” – the scale of the struggles people on low incomes are facing.

“We really do have to look after the most vulnerable,” he said.