Ruth Cadbury MP has urged the Government to reverse its plans to strip £20 a week from the 17, 293 people in her constituency who claim Universal Credit.
On Monday Labour MPs are forcing a vote in the House of Commons to demand that the Government scraps its planned cut to universal credit.
This will hit thousands of households in Brentford and Isleworth, with a cut equivalent to the cost of the average family’s annual electricity, gas and internet bills combined.
Before the pandemic more than one third of those claiming Universal Credit in the constituency of Brentford and Isleworth were in work. The number of individuals claiming Universal Credit has more than doubled since the start of 2020.
Speaking about this cut in full Ruth said,
“It is shocking that this Government want to push thousands of people locally further into hardship in the middle of a pandemic.
This cut will have a huge impact here, especially as Universal Credit barely or fails to cover the high cost of renting in West London, let alone the price of food, heating and clothes.
On top of that many people on older legacy benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance have not even received any additional support since the start of this pandemic.
The UK has suffered the worst recession of any major economy. Now the Government is trying to shift the burden of its mismanagement onto those who are struggling the most.
I will be voting against this deeply damaging cut tonight.’’