Defiant Renfrewshire councillors have again demanded the £20-a-week Universal Credit (UC) uplift is made permanent despite already having a previous request turned down by the UK Government.
The benefit boost which was put in place in response to the coronavirus crisis is set to end next week.
Earlier this year, councillors agreed to write to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging them to make the uplift permanent and extend it to those on legacy benefits, which was rejected.
But elected members from across the chamber have refused to take no for an answer and rallied together at Thursday's meeting to slam the Westminster government.
The motion from Councillor Jim Sharkey - which was backed by 31 members - said: "Council condemns the cut of £20-per-week from UC payments and demands the Tory government retain the payments on a permanent basis.
"Failure to do so will show that this government has, in the memorable phrase of Theresa May, gone 'back to being the nasty party'."
Conservative group leader Neill Graham and Councillor John McIntyre lodged an amendment arguing it was the right time to remove the boost now that restrictions are largely non-existent but only managed to attract seven votes.
"With restrictions having almost completely eased it is right to shift the focus on getting people back into work and preventing a legacy of debt being passed on to the next generation," said Councillor Graham.
Councillor McIntyre added: "The UC uplift was introduced in a time of emergency and when the lockdown restrictions were at their most severe. It was always meant to be a temporary measure."
The uplift will officially stop on October 6 but the exact date money will stop being paid will vary depending on the day people usually receive UC, meaning some will have already had their final higher payment.
Councillor Sharkey argued it would help the economy if the UK Government kept the scheme in place.
He added: "If you give money to those who need it most, they spend it.
"The money goes back into the economy. The cut of £20 at this time when we need to push the economy is actually economic illiteracy of the highest order.
"The Conservatives need to address that."
SNP councillor Michelle Campbell branded Councillor Graham's amendment as "shambolic" while her party colleague Cathy McEwan said she was "disgusted" by it.
"I really do disagree with Councillor Graham," said Councillor Campbell.
"Forty per cent of UC claimants are actually in work. Every single councillor who is not of a Tory persuasion has spoken about this in the chamber at some point.
"The amendment is shambolic."
Councillor McEwan added: "Councillor Graham, open your eyes. What world are you in?
"I am absolutely disgusted with what I’ve listened to from you."
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