North MSP slams UK Government plans to cut £20 from Universal Credit as 'reckless'
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PLANS by the UK Government to cut the additional £20 on Universal Credit this month have been described as "reckless."
The criticism was made by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP, Maree Todd, who wants to see the extra money being retained.
The £20 uplift was introduced last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic to help people who were struggling because of the crisis.
Mrs Todd said new research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has revealed that more than one in three (37 per cent) of families with children in Scotland will lose £1,040 per year if the Tory cuts go ahead.
She said the Universal Credit uplift has been a vital lifeline to many families in her constituency.
"The Tories plans to slash the benefit are reckless and will only further cement poverty and inflict hardship on our most vulnerable.
"A cut to benefits could not be more poorly timed. The risk of increased financial insecurity is already significant with the furlough scheme due to be scrapped at the end of September. Food prices are also set to hike as we continue to pay the high price for the Tories botched Brexit deal which has imposed supply chain issues on the food sector.
"If the Tories want to avoid plunging thousands of families in the Highlands into poverty, they must maintain the £20 uplift to Universal Credit.
"This really is a tale of two governments. At a time when the Scottish Government is introducing progressive social security benefits, like the Scottish Child Payment, the Tories are seeking to implement cruel cuts."
The Scottish Child Payment is a new benefit that has been introduced by the SNP Government to tackle child poverty in Scotland. It is intended to help low-income families with the costs of raising a child. Eligible families receive a payment of £10 a week for each child.
In the latest official statistics, more than 108,000 children in Scotland have benefited from the payment between its introduction in February and 30 June 2021, with 12,250 payments to the value of £623,180 issued in the Highland area.
Mrs Todd added: "The Scottish Child Payment has been described by charities as game-changing.
"Not only is the payment giving low-income families extra support but coupled with other payments such as the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, eligible families could receive up to £5,200 extra by the time their child turns six.
"In Scotland, we are building a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect – a direct contrast to Westminster’s appalling system."
