RONA MACKAY CONDEMNS SCOTTISH TORIES FOR BACKING “SHAMEFUL CUTS TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT”
The Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelming to support cancelling the Tory UK Government’s planned £20 cut to Universal Credit next month. Following the vote, Rona Mackay MSP condemned the Scottish Tories for backing the cut which will rip over £1,000 from 5,111 households throughout East Dunbartonshire.
The Scottish Government has written to the UK Government on eight occasions throughout the pandemic asking for them to make the uplift permanent and to extend it to legacy benefits. This is in addition to hundreds of anti-poverty campaigners, human rights experts, cross-party committees and the devolved Governments all urging the UK Government to keep the lifeline.
The Tory’s planned cut has also faced opposition from their own Conservative colleagues in Westminster - including former Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson and six former Tory DWP Secretary of States. This is on top of the four Cross Party Social Security committees of the devolved Parliaments.
Commenting SNP MSP Rona Mackay:
“The Scottish Parliament has overwhelmingly spoke and demanded the Tory UK Government halts their plans to scrap the uplift to Universal Credit. Sadly, we also witnessed every single Tory MSP failing to stand up to their Westminster bosses in opposing the £20 a week cut – the biggest welfare cut since the 1930s.
“I was proud to stand up for the 5,111 households across East Dunbartonshire and send a strong message to the Tories at Westminster that we reject its plans to rip more than £1,000 a year out of the hands of the most vulnerable at a time when they need it most.
“I’m shocked, but not surprised, that the Scottish Tory MSPs not only voted to back the Universal Credit cut which will condemn thousands of families to poverty, but actively defended it.
“History will remember them for this; a deliberate, calculated decision to impoverish my constituents which cannot be allowed to stand.