Save the Children Wales want Universal Credit cut plan abandoned
The government are due to make a £20 a week cut to Universal Credit
Families in Wales will have less to spend on living essentials when Universal Credit is cut by £20 a week.
In October, the UK Government is planning to cut the increase in Universal Credit that was put in place at the beginning of the pandemic.
Save the Children Wales are urging people to write to their MPs to express their concerns about this change by the government.
They say today (Tuesday 17 August) is the day of ‘action’ and want the UK government to keep the ‘lifeline’ and abandon its scheduled cut to Universal Credit.
300,000 households in Wales receive Universal Credit, and 130,000 of those are households with children.
Save the Children is holding a day of action today, calling on UC claimants, local leaders, and other members of the public to write to their MPs.
Melanie Simmonds, Head of Save the Children in Wales said: "The £20 increase is a lifeline for many families living in Wales. Families we work with tell us that they’re relying on it to buy essentials like food and clothing for themselves and their children. Without it, many more people will be pushed into poverty.
“That’s why we’re calling on the UK government to abandon its plans to cut Universal Credit this autumn. Across political divides, a growing number of voices agree that our social security net has got to be strong enough to catch people when they need it most.
“The role of Welsh Government and local authorities will also be crucial in reducing child poverty to ensure that no child is disadvantaged because of family income.
“Today is the day of action. So we are urging people to write to their MPs to explain their concern about the twenty pounds a week cut to Universal Credit. There’s more information about how you can do that on our website along with some statistics.
“Child poverty matters to everybody. It children continue to live in poverty, the cost to society as a whole is massive. So actually investing in families and children now is everybody’s business to make sure that parents have what they need to be able to support their children.
“It will mean families having to make a choice between heating their home or putting food on the table for their children.
“We know that bills are set to go up now with autumn coming and school starting again – and with this coming, that’s going to make things very difficult for families.”
According to a survey, families in Wales will now have to spend less on food, essential bills and clothes.
Save the Children have published new polling which found that 47% of those on Universal Credit across the UK say they do not think they will be able to live on a household budget that is £20 per week lower.
The survey found that a further 18% say they do not know if they will be able to manage, meaning only a third (35%) of those on Universal Credit are confident about the cut.
Mother of one, Stacey, from Newport had to abandon her baking business due to the pandemic and claim Universal Credit and is concerned about the oncoming cut:
“Myself and my partner have managed ok until now but receiving £20 less a week will definitely make a difference in terms of our food shop and also in paying off some of our debts.
“It’s worrying with the winter months coming in as we’ll be paying more for gas and electricity but may then have less money to live on.
“Our daughter is also starting school and possibly that £20 will be taking away things we need to buy for her in terms of school uniform or activities she can take part in. She has currently started to go to gymnastics classes as well which is around £5 a session.
“The cut could mean I won’t be able to afford for her to go to after school classes which would be a pity as she is a very sociable little girl and wants to try everything.”