UNIVERSAL CREDIT DEBATE

During the debate today on Universal Credit, which is causing such hardship to many people in North Ayrshire and Arran, I pointed out to the Tories the impact of cuts, including those to the Work Allowance.

The average parent will lose in the region of £800 per year, with some losing as much as £2000 under Universal Credit. Single parents are particularly hard hit, and with 91% of single parents being women, it is clear that this issue has a disproportionate impact on women.

Regrettably but not surprisingly, this was met by the Tory benches by a refusal to accept what we can all see. Universal Credit is not fit for purpose and it should be halted and these injustices fixed. The Chancellor could do so in the Budget at the end of this month, if he chooses to do so.