Planned cuts to Universal Credit could still go ahead after an attempt by Labour MPs to block the cut was ignored by Tory MPs: https://news.sky.com/story/mps-call-for-universal-credit-cut-to-be-scrapped-but-tory-mps-ordered-to-abstain-by-pm-12191930
Around 40% of UC recipients are in work. The cut of £20 a week in the middle of a pandemic will hurt millions of families at a time when they need the most support.
Conor McGinn MP says: “This Tory plan to cut Universal Credit by £1,000 a year will affect more than 6 million families nationally and over 8,000 households just locally here in St Helens North.
I voted with my Labour colleagues in Parliament to protect working families and help the poorest in our community through these unprecedented tough times.”
Marie Rimmer MP says: “The Tories have chosen to cut support for families in the middle of a pandemic by slashing Universal Credit.
Speaking before the vote in Parliament, Labour Leader Keir Starmer said:“Families across the UK have spent the past year worried for their loved ones, their jobs and their family’s security.
“Millions of people have had to juggle childcare with working from home, have seen jobs or incomes cut or been excluded from self-employed support. If we don’t give a helping hand to families through this pandemic, then we are going to slow our economic recovery as we come out it.
“We began 2021 with one of the worst death tolls in Europe and the deepest recession of any major economy. Without action from Government, millions of families face a £1,000 per year shortfall in the midst of a historic crisis.
“We urge Boris Johnson to change course and give families certainty today that their incomes will be protected.”
Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the result of the vote on Labour’s Universal Credit Opposition Day debate, said:
“It is disappointing that the Conservative Government refused to vote with Labour to provide families with certainty and secure our economy. They can still do the right thing and drop their plans to cut Universal Credit.
“Britain is facing the worst recession of any major economy because of the Government’s incompetence and indecision. Families cannot be made to pay the price.”