Badenoch MSP hits out at proposed Universal Credit Covid change
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Thousands across the Highlands will lose out under UK Government plans to end vital coronavirus support to people receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Badenoch's MSP has said.
Around 16,500 households are receiving Universal Credit across the region.
But Kate Forbes has said they will likely be impacted as the £20-a-week uplift – that was brought in to provide a lifeline during the pandemic – looks set to be scrapped.
Instead the UK Government is expected to reinstate the Minimum Income Floor by April 2021.
A Scottish Government report calculates that the decision will cost households in Scotland almost half a billion pounds in 2021-22.
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “Universal Credit, as flawed as it is, has been a lifeline for many constituents during this very difficult time.
“Many have found themselves with no other choice but to apply for universal credit, and many have then written to me asking how the UK Government can expect anybody to survive on the Universal Credit amounts.
“The additional £20 has made a difference – it must be continued and extended.
“If the Chancellor can extend furlough and the Self-Employed Income Support, then he should also extend the more generous Universal Credit amounts.”
More on the details is expected to be revealed when the UK Government publishes its spending review on Wednesday.
Highlands MSP Edward Mountain (Scottish Conservatives) said: “I welcome that the Chancellor has extended the uplift to Universal Credit to the end of the financial year to help families in the Highlands and across the UK.
"It’s time the SNP stopped pointing the figure at others and started spending the millions it is holding back to save jobs and support our NHS.”
