UK ‘in violation of international law’ over poverty levels, says UN envoy

Exclusive: Special rapporteur Olivier De Schutter to urge ministers to increase welfare spending on visit to country this week

Poverty levels in the UK are simply not acceptable" and the government is violating international law, the United Nations' poverty envoy has said ahead of a visit to the country this week, when he will urge ministers to increase welfare spending.

Olivier De Schutter, the UN's special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, cited research showing universal credit payments of 85 a week for single adults over 25 were grossly insufficient" and described the UK's main welfare system as a leaking bucket".