Angus MSP condemns support for Universal Credit cut

The Scottish Parliament last week voted overwhelming to oppose the UK Government’s planned £20-a-week cut to the benefit which is due to apply from next month.

After the vote, Mr Dey denounced Scottish Conservatives for backing the cut, which will he said will remove more than £1000 per year from 8163 families across Angus.

Pressure on the UK Government to scrap its plans has been building for a number of months.

The Scottish Government has written to its UK counterpart on eight occasions throughout the pandemic, asking for the uplift payment to be made permanent and to extend it to legacy benefits.

Anti-poverty campaigners, human rights experts, cross-party committees and the other devolved Governments have also urged the UK Government to keep the payment.

The Conservatives ’ planned cut has additionally faced opposition from their own benches at Westminster – including former Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, and six former DWP Secretaries of State.

This is on top of the opposition expressed by the four Cross-Party Social Security committees of the devolved Parliaments.

However, Scottish Conservatives have defended the move, in line with the party’s national policy.

Mr Dey said: “It was only right to stand up for the 8163 families here in Angus who will be hit by these incredibly callous and irresponsible cuts, by voting at Holyrood to reject them and demand their cancellation.

“The Scottish Parliament has done this overwhelmingly, despite the shameful position of Tory members defending the move.

"Though we had heard that Tory MSPs were ‘lobbying’ their Westminster bosses to reverse these plans, in the end they failed to grow a backbone and act in the interests of their constituents.

“This cut is an attack on the most vulnerable in society at a time when support is most needed – a clear demonstration of Westminster failing the people of Scotland, and the Scottish Tories can be sure their role will not be forgotten.”