In two weeks thousands of families in East Durham will by forced below the breadline as the Government cut £20 a week from Universal Credit.

In East Durham, over 10,000 families will be affected taking more than £11,000,000 a year out of the local economy.

While families will face the choice between heating and eating this winter and businesses that have benefited from this additional money in our local economy will be forced to cut back.

This is a dangerous and damaging cut that is a stranglehold of the aspirations and opportunities for young people in East Durham.

We will see demand for foodbanks rising as families once again fall below the poverty line.

The widespread use and growth of foodbanks in Britain over the last decade is not some sort of great achievement.

Foodbanks are a sign of economic, political and moral failure.

They are an acceptance that as a nation we can no longer feed our people, who must now rely on charity, donations and volunteers at a time of hardship.

The reshuffle provided Boris Johnson an opportunity to change course of Universal Credit. He didn’t. The Conservative Government are intent on making life more difficult for low paid workers and the poorest in society.

They are cutting Universal Credit, hurting working families in East Durham.

They are raising tax, creating a social care levy meaning the poorest workers are paying to cap care costs for those with wealth and assets.

They are breaking their promises through increasing taxes and failing to maintain the triple lock to protect pensioners.

Boris Johnson made the British public six personal guarantees at the last election. He has now tore up these promises. If he can no longer keep his promises to the British public, he should explain why and make his case at a General Election.

The decision; Boris Johnson’s choice to break his election promises will plunge thousands in East Durham and millions nationally into poverty.

Our country deserves better than a Prime Minister who lies time and again.

Universal Credit Uplift: Cancel the Cut
Universal Credit Uplift: Cancel the Cut
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