The SNP has challenged the UK government to introduce “game-changing” policies to tackle child poverty, ahead of the Spring Budget next week.
Alison Thewliss MP has called on the Chancellor to:
- Legislate for an Essential Guarantee in Universal Credit.
- Reverse Tory welfare cuts including the bedroom tax and two-child cap.
- Match the Scottish Government’s Scottish Child Payment UK-wide.
Ms Thewliss has said that with a cost of living crisis hammering households across the UK, and with both the Tories and Labour in agreement on fiscal policies, now is the time for the Chancellor to deliver “bold and progressive action”.
Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:
“The upcoming Spring Budget is an opportunity for the Chancellor to deliver game changing policies that households have been crying out for.
“That is why the SNP have set out three clear challenges to the Chancellor.
“Firstly, the UK government must legislate for an Essential Guarantee in Universal Credit, which would provide those who need it the most with the most basic of necessities, benefitting 8.8 million families.
“Secondly, the Chancellor must commit to reversing cruel welfare cuts like the bedroom tax, the two-child cap and the rape clause – the latter of which currently impacts 90,000 children in Scotland.
“And finally, the UK government must match the Scottish Government’s Scottish Child Payment UK-wide – a policy that has been described as ‘game-changing’ by charities in Scotland.
“The SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate these policies, including spending almost £75 million through Discretionary Housing Payments for people affected by the bedroom tax and almost £8 million to support those hit by the benefit cap.
“However, it cannot mitigate everything.
“It’s high-time the Chancellor heeds the warnings and delivers the bold and progressive action needed during this Westminster-made cost of living crisis.
“Families cannot wait any longer.”
