York MP launches petition to reverse the cut to Universal Credit
Rachael Maskell is urging the Government to reverse the cut to Universal Credit
Last updated 6th Oct 2021
York Central MP Rachael Maskell has today (Wednesday, 6 October) launched a petition against axing a pandemic-inspired benefits boost.
Since the start of the pandemic universal credit claimants have received a £20 per week uplift.
The Government is scrapping the scheme which will result in more than 12,000 people in York losing around £1,000 a year, figures suggest.
Department for Work and Pensions figures show there were 12,566 people claiming Universal Credit in York in July – the latest available data.
Of those, 53% were not in work.
They are among more than 5.8 million claimants across the UK who may face a struggle to make ends meet, according to anti-poverty campaigners.
Despite months of campaigning, the uplift is due to end on October 6, with claimants expected to receive final payments containing the uplift up to October 13.
Anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the end of the uplift represented the "biggest ever overnight cut to social security" and claimed the Government's decision could plunge up to half a million people into poverty.
Katie Schmuecker, from the JRF, said:
"The Prime Minister is abandoning millions to hunger and hardship with his eyes wide open."
She added the decision "flies in the face of the Government's mission to unite and level up our country".
“People’s bills won’t get cheaper from Wednesday and families are already anxious about how they will get through a looming cost of living crisis," she said.
"This decision shows a total disregard for the consequences."
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, said:
“I know this will be a hugely worrying time for many of the 11,610 households across York in receipt of Universal Credit, with the £20 a week uplift ending today.
“At a time when the cost of living is increasing and wages are stagnating; when furlough is ending, and the Government are raising taxes; when supply chain issues are impacting on food banks and donations are decreasing; and when energy bills are rocketing just as we head into winter, this cruel, unjustifiable cut must be reversed.
“Social security is there for all of us and is supposed to be strong enough to protect people in times of difficulty. However, instead of helping people escape poverty, this Government are making decisions which they know will push people further into it. They know the devastating impact that removing the uplift will have on people, and yet they continually choose to ignore this. We are seeing a Conservative Government, once again, push for economic recovery at the expense of those on the lowest incomes.
“As a Human Rights City, York must unite and fight for people’s human rights. It cannot be right that we live in the 6th richest country in the world, and yet remain the second most inequitable. People should not be in a position where they cannot afford to pay their rent, heat their homes, put food on the table, or pay their bills.
“By signing this petition, we can show the Government that the people of York stand united and opposed to this decision, and that they must reinstate the uplift. This is the very least this Government should be doing, and they must do it now.
“If you are struggling or are worried about the impact of this cut, please reach out to my office and we will do all we can to help: 01904 623713 / Rachael.maskell.mp@parliament.uk__.”
The petition can be found by clicking here.
A Government spokesperson said:
“We’ve always been clear that the uplift to Universal Credit and the furlough scheme were temporary.
"They were designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic, and they have done so."
He said Universal Credit would continue to provide support for people in and out of work and added that it was right for the Government to focus on its Plan for Jobs, which aims to support people back into work and help those already working to progress.