Boris Johnson's Universal Credit cut will inflict "poverty, hardship and misery" on hundreds of thousands of working people across Liverpool, MPs have heard.
The £20-a-week cut, which will go ahead next month, will impact an estimated 134,000 people across the Liverpool City Region - tens of thousands of whom have children.
Tory Treasury minister Simon Clarke defended the move today, telling MPs the “best anti-poverty” strategy is a “jobs strategy”.
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His comments were slammed by Merseyside MPs, who accused the minister of "living in a parallel universe".
Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley said the policy would "inflict poverty, hardship and misery on working people", adding: "I would contend that this government's current policies will more likely lead to a hand being clasped around the throats of this country's working people, the unemployed, the disabled, and tragically their children.
"This isn't levelling up, it's grinding down, this isn't building back better, it's a new round of austerity designed yet again to make the poor pay for another fine mess of this government's own creation."
The comments came as Labour sought to use a House of Commons debate to force the government to rethink the policy.
Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker, speaking in favour of the Labour motion to extend the Universal Credit uplift, said: “If this pandemic has taught us anything it is this – life is precious and life is for living. Yes, contributing to society for those who can, and crucially getting something back and being able to enjoy our time with family and friends.
“Not having to receive state support whilst in work, not having to rely on foodbanks, not having to work three jobs just to make ends met. The system is not on the side of our people and indeed most callous of all, retirement itself is fast becoming a distant dream for so many who fear, in areas like mine in the North West, they will not be able to afford retirement.”
She added: “If the Government were serious about supporting our people their priorities would be wholly different.
“We would not see a hike in National Insurance, we would not see the scrapping of the £20 Universal Credit uplift. We would see a proper funding settlement for local government rather than backing our cash-strapped local councils into a corner over regressive tax increases.”
Addressing MPs, Treasury minister Simon Clarke there was "no plans to alter the course" on the uplift, which is due to end on October 6.
He added: "It’s clear that the world of September 2021 is a very different place to that of March 2020; the success of our vaccine rollout means that most restrictions have now been lifted and we’re seeing the benefits of our approach.
“These new circumstances therefore require a new response. We believe the best anti-poverty strategy is a jobs strategy, and the best way to help vulnerable people is to provide them with the opportunities they need for well-paid work."
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