Letter to Julie Marson MP: Scrap the Cut to Universal Credit

Dear Ms Marson,

I hope my letter finds you well.

As I’m sure you’re aware, the Labour Party plans to table an Opposition Day motion on Monday 18th January calling upon the Government to scrap the planned cut to Universal Credit due to come into effect in April. This cut would see those who need it most lose £20 per week, equating to £1000 per year in total.

As the Coronavirus pandemic goes on, with businesses under strain and people losing work, many families in our community and across the country are struggling to make ends meet. Today, millions are relying on Universal Credit in order to get by.

Just this week we saw horrendous images on social media of the thread bare food parcels being distributed to families as part of the Free School Meals scheme, and I’ve spoken to residents who are worried about how they’re going to put food on the table for their children.

It’s clear that this cut to Universal Credit would be a hammer blow to those struggling in our community and across the country. We must support families in this time of need and it would be immoral to ask the poorest households in Britain to shoulder the economic burden of the Coronavirus crisis. More than ever, people in our community need support.

That’s why I’m calling on you to support Labour’s motion in Parliament on Monday and vote to scrap the cut to Universal Credit.

This is not the time to play party politics or rigidly follow the whip - this is about the very real lives of vulnerable people in our community and across the UK. They have made enormous sacrifices in the national fight against Coronavirus and the Government cannot repay them by putting them in financial jeopardy.

I hope to see you stand up for local people and vote to scrap this cut on Monday, and look forward to reading your reply.

Kind regards,

Josh Dean

Chair, Hertford & Stortford Labour Party