MP calls on Government to back down on plans to end £20 Universal Credit uplift

A Member of Parliament has called on the UK Government to back down on plans to reverse Universal Credit increases.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government increased Universal Credit payments by £20 a week until September 2021.

But Gerald Jones, who represents the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency, said families will “suffer” if the cuts go ahead.

Across the constituency, which covers the Upper Rhymney Valley and the entirety of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, there are more than 8,500 people claiming Universal Credit.

Mr Jones has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for the £20 uplift to stay in place after September.

In his letter, Mr Jones said the plans to drop the £20 uplift would see almost £9m taken from the pockets of his constituents over the next year.

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

It has also been 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.

The letter reads: “We write ahead of the planned cut to the Universal Credit uplift from next month – the largest single cut to the basic rate of social security since the Second World War.

“As the MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, and agencies working on behalf of local people, we call on the UK Government to cancel the cut and to extend the £20-per-week uplift to all claimants, including those on legacy benefits.”

In the letter, Mr Jones said the £20 uplift is a “vital lifeline for Universal Credit recipients and their families – a considerable percentage of whom are in work”.

He added: “If your cut to Universal Credit proceeds, it will cause considerable hardship to some of the most deprived communities who are already hurting as a result of the closure of heavy industry and the Covid-19 pandemic.”

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.”