"I'm worried that we're walking into another crisis unlike anything we've ever seen before"
Tom Godwin from Citizens Advice Plymouth says the impact of universal credit cuts are going to be 'huge' across the South West
Universal credit cuts are set to hit nearly 6 million people across the UK.
That is according to Citizens Advice, who say that the benefit is set to be slashed by £20 a week by the autumn.
The organisation is campaigning against the cut, saying it has been a 'vital lifeline' for many throughout the pandemic.
Tom Godwin, the Director of External Affairs at Citizens Advice Plymouth, tells us that the changes will have 'huge impacts':
"£20 a week is about six days worth of energy costs, three days worth of food for a low-income family. We are literally talking about the ability for people to put food on the table and heat their homes going into the winter.
"Coming out of the pandemic where we’ve done so much for our health and looking to be supportive of society generally, my worry is for our financial health - that we’re walking into another crisis unlike anything we’ve ever seen before."
Tom Godwin - Citizens Advice Plymouth
Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as of May 2021, suggests that approximately 318,300 people living in Avon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall will be affected by the change.
Citizens Advice say support is available for anyone who needs it:
"I would say if you’re on universal credit and you are staring down the barrel of this, now would be a good time to come and speak to an advice charity.
"It’s really important that we look after the financial health of people in our area, because we’re only as good as the amount of support we give the most vulnerable."
Tom Godwin - Citizens Advice Plymouth
For more information on how to seek help, visit the Citizens Advice website here.