Drive to keep benefit increase
Charity’s call backed by local politician
A voluntary organisation supporting families in Strathearn and beyond has taken a stand against cuts to Universal Credit by the UK government which are due to come into force next month.
Home-Start Perth and Kinross is concerned about the effect reducing the weekly payment by £20 will have on people balancing tight family budgets.
At the start of the pandemic, the UK government boosted benefits by £20 a week, which equates to £87 a month.
However, this top- up is set to stop overnight from October 1.
Home-Start Perth and Kinross is calling on the UK government to keep the “lifeline”, campaigning with other organisations and politicians of all parties for the government to reverse its decision.
Jill Scobbie, Home-Start Perth and Kinross lead coordinator, said: “It is crucial that the government keeps the £20 Universal Credit top-up for families.
“Growing up in poverty restricts children’s life chances, from affecting their wellbeing, to how they are able to learn and achieve at school, and their future prosperity.
“Families with children have been among the worst affected, with job losses and increased costs of living from repeated lockdowns and school closures, causing many families to struggle financially.
“If we are to ensure more families are not swept up in a rising tide of financial insecurity, with increased living costs, low pay, insecure employment, reduced opportunities and austerity, we must act together across society to create an environment where all families and children can thrive.”
Becky Saunders, head of policy for Home-Start UK, commented: “Parenting is a difficult enough task, and poverty restricts parents’ options and many are locked in a daily struggle to make ends meet, leaving them in impossible situations, making impossible choices for their families.
“With rising living costs and unstable work, poverty is holding families down and leaving parents unable to think about a different future.”
Perth and North Perthshire MP, Pete Wishart, gave his backing to Home-Start for its stance.
He said: “I fully support the call by Home-Start Perth to halt the £20 a week cut to Universal Credit.
“It is appalling that after the difficulties of the last 18 months the chancellor is taking this lifeline away from families that might be plunged into poverty as a result.
“The SNP group at Westminster will continue to oppose this reactionary decision.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions defended the plan and suggested the Scottish Parliament could do more to help reduce costs to families using its exisitng powers.
They said: “As announced by the chancellor at the budget, the uplift to Universal Credit was always temporary.
“It was designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic.
“And it has done so, providing vital support for those both in and out of work.
“The Scottish Parliament has significant welfare powers and can top-up existing benefits, pay discretionary payments and create entirely new benefits in areas of devolved responsibility.”