Natalie Don MSP has condemned the Conservative UK Government’s decision to cut the £20 uplift to Universal Credit as “inhumane”, with more than 13,000 low-income families in Renfrewshire already being hit with the additional pressures of increased prices on their household budgets expected to suffer dire consequences.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West says the Tories’ cut shows they are out-of-touch with the reality of the everyday financial problems faced by people who are disabled or have disabled children, have caring responsibilities or experiencing in-work poverty, as new research from the Scottish Parliament’s independent information service (SPICe) revealed 13,372 low income families across Renfrewshire will lose more than £1,000 a year.
Natalie Don MSP says the UK Government’s Universal Credit cut is inhumane.
Natalie Don MSP said: “This Tory UK Government’s decision to inflict the biggest cut to welfare since World War II is inhumane and demonstrates that they are completely out-of-touch and simply do not care about the poorest people in Renfrewshire’s communities.
“With food and energy prices already rising, more than 13,000 hard-pressed families across Renfrewshire will be devastated by the Tories’ callous cut to Universal Credit and I dread to think about how many will cope during the winter months as they are driven much deeper into poverty.
"To cut support to people already struggling during a global pandemic, regardless of the consequences, is cruel and heartless, and shows exactly why the Scottish Parliament should has all the social security powers required to protect those that need supported most.”