Welsh politicians say Universal Credit drop is 'cruel' and 'inconceivable'
The UK Government's decision to cut Universal Credit payments has been widely criticised
Last updated 16th Sep 2021
Wales Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt has sternly criticised the UK Government's decision to revoke the £20 increase in Universal Credit introduced during the pandemic.
Hutt said the move could see a 'breakdown for families already on the breadline' and that the decrease is 'cutting a lifeline' to those worse off in society.
She told Senedd members that there is still time to make a U-turn over the decision after the Universal Credit cut was discussed during a Plaid Cymru debate yesterday afternoon.
During the debate, Leader of the Plaid Cymru party Adam Price also voiced his disapproval on the matter, explaining that there couldn't be a worse time to cut Universal Credit and that families in Wales "will continue to suffer" because of it.
The UK Government yesterday argued that it would cost an extra £6bn to retain the extra payments, which will start to be reduced by the end of September.
The Social Justice Minister for Wales, members of the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are yet to receive a reply to a joint letter they sent to UK Government leading bodies.
The letter asked for an assessment on the impact that the cut could have on poverty levels across the UK.
Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “It is inconceivable that the UK Government would now choose to abandon those who need us the most and who played their part in protecting our country from Covid-19.
Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds also expressed her concerns over the decision during the Plaid Cymru debate on the cut yesterday afternoon, labelling it a 'cruel' move by the UK Government.