Credit cut is simply wicked
5
I TRY NOT TO describe political actions as good or evil, but there is a wickedness in the government’s decision to cut universal credit by £20 a week from 6 October. By definition, people claiming Universal Credit are amongst the poorest in our community. In Edinburgh East there are currently 9,108 of them. Eighteen months ago, as part of Covid support, the UK Government uprated the payments from £75 to £95 a week. Now they are taking it away. This is just cruel.
Everyone has had a difficult time during the pandemic. But some have had it worse than others. Two groups in particular. Firstly, those who have been made redundant and were unable to benefit from the government’s furlough scheme. Secondly, those in low-paid but essential jobs such as shopworkers, carers and delivery drivers. These people have kept working throughout, often harder than ever. They have been the heroes who have helped the rest of us get through this.
CUTS TO CASH
Many people in both these categories rely on Universal Credit to top up their income, pay their bills and feed their families. For them, the government’s plan to cut their money is a major kick in the teeth. These cuts will kick in just as inflation is rising, electricity prices are being allowed to soar, and VAT is being increased. It will cause pain and hardship.
But this will affect all of us indirectly. Poverty hangs like a shroud across our communities. It worsens physical and mental health. It builds pressure on hard-pressed public services. Community solidarity is weakened and misery increases.
These cuts also mean that up to £10 million could be taken out of the local economy next year - that’s just in one constituency. That will be another blow to local shops and leisure. None of this needs to happen. Yes, it would cost money to keep the £20 a week uplift. About 2% of what the government has spent on dealing with Covid.
That’s two percent.
Unfortunately, here in Scotland, our own government cannot change these policies, as 85% of welfare expenditure is reserved to Westminster. Independence is the only way we can ensure that we are able to make these decisions for ourselves. Until then, I will continue to demand action until the UK Government agrees to do what is right.