Luke Pollard is today (18th January 2021) voting against the Conservative Government’s plan to cut Universal Credit by £20 per week.

There are over 20,000 people on Universal Credit in Plymouth. This cut would mean that £1,000 a year is taken from each of their households. Cutting support for families while Britain is in the worst recession of any major economy and in the grips of a deadly pandemic is simply wrong. A third of Plymouth’s children are living in poverty today and this cut will force even more families into poverty.

The planned cut is yet another example of the Conservatives’ appalling record on tackling poverty. Just a couple of months ago, the Government had to be publicly shamed into feeding hungry kids by Marcus Rashford, and only a few days ago the Conservatives cause public outrage by sending utterly inadequate food parcels to struggling families.

Commenting on the matter, Luke said:

“This cut is wrong and I suspect our Tory MPs oppose it deep down. That’s why instead of spending the day trying to spin their way out of it they should just back the motion to protect UC payments for thousands in Plymouth.

“Ultimately, I want to see Universal Credit scrapped and replaced with a system without the cruel five week wait, the two child limit, the awful treatment of disabled people. I want a new system that provides not just security for all but the dignity and respect people deserve.”