Jonathan Reynolds responds to Trussell Trust report on the impact of cut to UC

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the Trussell Trust’s report on the impact of the Government’s proposed cut to Universal Credit, said:

“It is completely wrong that parents are worrying if they can make ends meet and have enough to feed their kids because the Government plan to cut their income by £1,000 a year.

“Britain is facing the worst recession of any major economy because of this Government’s incompetence and indecision – yet they want struggling families to pay the price.

“The Chancellor must offer certainty to families now and secure our economy by cancelling this cut.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

· A report from the Trussell Trust released today (Thursday) shows nearly a quarter of a million parents on Universal Credit fear not being able to properly feed their children if cut to benefit goes ahead. The report warns of growing need for food banks from people claiming Universal Credit as one in five people on the benefit say that they are ‘very likely’ to turn to one, if the £20 rise is removed. The Trussell Trust is urgently calling on the government to keep the £20 weekly uplift to Universal Credit due to end in April, as a survey reveals the alarming consequences of cutting it.