First Minister Mark Drakeford has signed a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging the UK Government rethink its decision to scrap the £20-per-week Universal Credit uplift.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government increased Universal Credit payments by £20 a week – but this was only a temporary measure and has since been withdrawn.

Mr Drakeford signed the letter alongside Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as well as Northern Ireland’s First Minister Paul Givan and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

The devolved leaders described the decision to end the £20 uplift as “short-sighted” and urged Mr Johnson to reverse the decision to withdraw the uplift “with the upmost urgency”.

The letter read: “Your Government is withdrawing this lifeline just as the country is facing a significant cost-of-living crisis. This winter millions of people are facing an untenable combination of increases to the cost of food and energy, rising inflation, the end of the furlough scheme, and an imminent hike to National Insurance contributions. 

“There is no rationale for cutting such crucial support at a point when people across the UK are facing an unprecedented squeeze on their household budgets.”

The letter added: “To support a meaningful recovery from this pandemic we must first ensure the needs of our most vulnerable are met. This cut threatens to undermine the recovery by diminishing the capacity of six million people to make ends meet. 

“It is not too late for you to reverse the decision to take money out of the pockets of the poorest in society at a time when they are facing a serious cost of living crisis.”

In August this year, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, alongside Scottish minister Shona Robson and Northern Irish minister Deidre Hargey, wrote to the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey, calling for the uplift to remain in place.

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney’s Labour MP Gerald Jones also wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for the £20 uplift to stay, saying his constituents would “suffer” if the cuts went ahead.

Mr Jones’ letter was signed by Steve Evans-Jones, manager of Rhymney Valley Foodbank, as well as Caerphilly County Borough Council leader Philippa Marsden.

It was also signed by the managers of Merthyr Cynon Foodbank and Taff Bargoed Foodbank respectively, as well as representatives from Merthyr Valleys Homes, Merthyr Tydfil Citizens Advice and Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association.

In August, a UK Government spokesperson told Caerphilly Observer: “Universal Credit has provided a vital safety net for six million people during the pandemic. The temporary uplift is part of a £400 billion support package which continues beyond the ending of restrictions.

“Our focus now is on our multi-billion pound Plan for Jobs, which will support people in the long-term by helping them learn new skills and increase their hours or find new work.”