Senior Hartlepool Labour figures hit out at Government over potential £20 a week Universal Credit cut

Boris Johnson has faced criticism for refusing to guarantee he will not end the additional support provided during the coronavirus pandemic from April which is worth £1,000 a year to families.

Labour put forward a non-binding motion in the Commons on Monday night (January 18) pressing the Government to maintain the increase and were supported by six Tory rebels.

Downing Street insisted no decision has been made on whether to keep or scrap the increase, and said Chancellor Rishi Sunak will update the public on the Government’s plans “shortly”.

Following the vote Hartlepool MP Mike Hill accused the Government of cruelty saying: "Tonight they refused to reverse the cut to Universal Credit, which for low income families can be the differences between eating and going hungry, between heating and living in the cold, between dignity and poverty.

“People have suffered so much in this pandemic and as we see light at the end of the tunnel, their Government is abandoning them.

“People need certainty, reassurance and support from their Government and the Tories provided none tonight.”

He said the extra £20 a week also helps the local economy where it is spent.

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Senior Labour figures for Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar, and Darlington, have signed a joint statement expressing their support for the additional £20 a week.

The statement, signed by people including Mike Hill and Hartlepool Labour Group Leader Councillor Brenda Harrison, says axing it would plunge thousands of families in the region into poverty.

It added: “In the face of the worst economic downturn in Europe and soaring unemployment the Government is abandoning those who are worst hit.

"We call on all responsible political leaders to join with us to defend families in our region from further hardship imposed by this Government.”

Boris Johnson said to reporters on Monday: “What we have said is we will put our arms around the whole of the country throughout the pandemic.

“We have already done £280 billion worth of support and we will keep all measures under constant review.”

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