MP IN FRESH CALLS TO HALT UNIVERSAL CREDIT AS FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO EAT
Motherwell and Wishaw MP, Marion Fellows has reiterated the SNP’s calls to halt the roll out of Universal Credit as foodbank use in Scotland and North Lanarkshire soars.
Figures from the Trussell Trust show that in Scotland, 87,981 emergency supplies to people in crisis between April and September 2018, a 15% increase on the same period in 2017.
Across North Lanarkshire during the same period, 2037 three-day emergency food supplies were given to local people in crisis, with 651 going to children.
The increase coincides with Universal Credit moving to ‘full service’ in Motherwell and Wishaw in April this year with any new claimants being directed towards the new system and having to wait as long as five weeks for their first payment.
Commenting, Mrs Fellows said:
The Tories’ Universal Credit system is returning us to the Victorian era with families – many of whom are working – being forced to turn to foodbanks just to survive. It has to be halted.
Forcing people onto Universal Credit is leading to the sharp rise in foodbank use. Our friends, family, colleagues and neighbours are bearing the brunt of the Tories’ punitive policies. As the roll out continues, more and more people will suffer.
Halting Universal Credit will provide the time to fix the numerous problems with it. But the Tories are determined on pushing on regardless of the impact it is having on people’s lives.
The idea of a consolidated social security payment is good, but Universal Credit’s roll out has been a complete disaster with unnecessary conditions and millions suffering cuts compared to the previous ‘legacy’ payments.