Mark Drakeford is calling for a reversal of the UK Government’s £20-per-week cut to Universal Credit.
In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Mr Drakeford joined Nicola Sturgeon and Paul Givan in criticising the benefits cut, calling it “short-sighted”.
The UK Government increased Universal Credit payments by £20 per week last year in response to the pandemic. The scheme officially ends on October 6.
Devolved leaders now say that the reduction will “undermine” recovery from the pandemic and are calling for a change of heart.
The letter goes on to say: “Your Government is withdrawing this lifeline just as the country is facing a significant cost-of-living crisis.
“This winter millions of people are facing an untenable combination of increases to the cost of food and energy, rising inflation, the end of the furlough scheme, and an imminent hike to National Insurance contributions.
“There is no rationale for cutting such crucial support at a point when people across the UK are facing an unprecedented squeeze on their household budgets.”
In the letter, the devolved leaders cite research from the Resolution Foundation, The Trussell Trust, and The Legatum Institute, which all show the positive impact that an additional £20 per week has afforded millions of people over the last year.
The letter continues: “To support a meaningful recovery from this pandemic we must first ensure the needs of our most vulnerable are met. This cut threatens to undermine the recovery by diminishing the capacity of six million people to make ends meet.
“It is not too late for you to reverse the decision to take money out of the pockets of the poorest in society at a time when they are facing a serious cost of living crisis.”
Mr Drakeford and the other devolved leaders sign off by saying “we urge you to consider the moral, social and economic harms of this cut, and do the right thing”.
The full letter can be read below:
A UK Government spokesman said: “We’ve always been clear that the uplift to Universal Credit and the furlough scheme were temporary.
“They were designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic, and they have done so.
“Universal Credit will continue to provide vital support for those both in and out of work.”
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