Calls for the UK Government to reverse decision
Politicians across the region have labelled the findings of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report as an “eye-opener”and “devastating.”
Commenting, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said:“The £20 uplift has been a lifeline for millions and is currently preventing half a million families across the UK from falling over the edge into poverty.
“At a time when many are still suffering from the triple whammy of Brexit, the pandemic and a decade of Tory austerity cuts, the last thing the UK Government should be doing is slashing people’s benefits.
“These new figures are a true eye-opener of the scale of the impact locally. It’s clear that Boris Johnson, backed by the Scottish Tories, does not care about the people of Rutherglen and Cambuslang – instead they are happy to snatch over £1000 from 5000 families with children in this Westminster seat.
“If they go ahead with these brutal cuts, it will be another example of the Scottish Government putting money in people’s pockets, through game-changing policies like the Scottish Child Payment, only for the Tories to shamelessly take it away again.”
Neil Gray, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, said:“This is an issue I have been campaigning hard on. The UK Government did the right thing bringing in the £20 per week uplift at the start of the pandemic, but it was a recognition that UK social security levels simply aren’t enough.
“The evidence from local foodbanks I have been speaking to is that this uplift has saved people from having seek their help but wiping £1040 of annual income overnight will put so many both in and out of work into poverty.
“I brought the relevant committees from all four parliaments across the UK together for the first time to write to UK Ministers calling for the uplift to be made permanent as I know the devastating impact this cut will have here, but also across the UK.
“Along with colleagues I will keep doing what I can to try to convince the UK Government to keep this lifeline and extend it to other benefits that didn’t get the same uplift.”
MSP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, Fulton MacGregor said:“This news is absolutely devastating and will impact so many families in my constituency who are already struggling in such an uncertain time.
“I completely oppose this
cut and would urge the Tory Government at Westminster to show some compassion for once and reverse this decision immediately.
“If any of my constituents in Coatbridge and Chryston require assistance, my office is here to help as always.”
And Lisa Cameron MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow added:“At a time when furlough is ending, it is wrong to reduce the value of Universal Credit, which so many families across East Kilbride Strathaven and Lesmahagow rely on – there’s still time for the Prime Minister to cancel this cruel and savage cut, and ensure the most vulnerable in our constituency get the ongoing support they need”.