The Government’s chronic mismanagement of the pandemic has caused Britain to suffer the worst recession of any major economy. Now the Government is trying to make low income families pay as a result of their incompetence. The Government isn’t just inefficient, it has the wrong priorities.

This cut will impact 6.2 million families (8,500 in Garston and Halewood), including those on working tax credits. This £20 is what enables some of them to put food on the table at the end of the week.

In September 2020, analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) found that the withdrawal of the benefit increase will risk bringing 700,000 more people, including 300,000 more children into poverty.  It could also bring 500,000 more people into deep poverty (classified as being more than 50% below the poverty line).

Millions of families are relying on this lifeline as we come through this crisis, especially as they face increased costs associated with the pandemic. Now is the time for more support, not cuts.

Today I will be voting against cutting the £20 a week benefit increase.

The Government has spent £22 billion on a test and trace system that does not work and has shovelled billions in contracts without any proper tendering. They cannot cut the £20 a week benefit increase at the toughest time of the pandemic.

This Government doesn’t understand what families need. Whether on exams, free school meals, access to remote learning or childcare, families are not a priority for this Government.