I will oppose the Government's cut to Universal Credit to protect 5300 families in Gower.

This week a vote will be brought in Parliament by opposition MPs to reverse the Government’s planned cut to Universal Credit.

At the start of the pandemic, the Government increased the standard allowance of Universal Credit by £20 per week which is set to be removed in five weeks’ time.
This cut of over £1,000 a year to millions of families is the biggest overnight cut to the social security system since World War II.

In Gower, 5300 families will be affected, including 3046 children.

The Government had originally planned to implement the cut in April 2021 but were forced to change course after Labour successfully won a vote in House of Commons in January.

Since then, the Party have continued to call for the Government to cancel this cut and are now bringing another vote on the matter on Wednesday 8 September 2021.

Labour have warned that the cut would damage the country’s economic recovery by taking money out of the economy that would have been spent with local businesses.

The cut has been opposed by prominent Conservatives, including Sir Iain Duncan Smith along with five of his successors as DWP Secretary of State. Dozens of charities have also voiced their support for the campaign, warning that proceeding with cut would push 500,000 more people into poverty.
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Commenting on the announcement, Tonia Antoniazzi MP said “People think this cut will only impact the unemployed but 41% of people claiming Universal Credit in Gower are in work. It is shameful that the very workers who got us through this crisis are in the firing line for a £1000 cut to their income every year. Making the biggest ever overnight cut to social security would be morally and economically irresponsible.