Minister refuses to rule out extending UK benefits freeze

Freeze imposed in 2015 was planned to last until end of 2019-20 financial year

The government has refused to commit to ending its freeze on benefits despite a promise to turn the page on a decade of austerity.

The work and pensions secretary, Thi(C)rise Coffey, said she could not give a definitive answer about whether the freeze on most working-age benefits and tax credits would continue beyond its initial four-year term.