Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has spoken out to support Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) with their campaign to raise awareness of rising living costs and cuts to Universal Credit under Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government.

CPAG highlights that millions of families are facing a huge real term cut to their benefits unless the UK Government acts to help. Whilst Universal Credit (UC) is increasing in April by 3.1%, inflation is predicted to peak at over 7%. This means that families will see their UC fall by around £570 a year on average. This is on top of the recent £20 a week cut to UC.

This will be important in the Caerphilly constituency because, in November 2021, there were 2821 families with children relying on Universal Credit.

Furthermore, families that are in poverty will be hit hardest by rising prices. With energy bills increasing by over 50% this April, a higher proportion of these families’ income will be spent on keeping their homes warm.

Wayne David said “Everyday people will be hit with a triple whammy of rising energy and fuel bills, rising National Insurance and an increasing rate of inflation. The help proposed by the Conservatives does not go anywhere near to addressing this. It is extremely important that less well-off families are not forced to choose between heating or eating.

“The Conservatives do not care about how desperate the situation is getting for people on Universal Credit. They have failed because they are indifferent as well as being incompetent. Labour on the other hand have put forward a plan that would save up to £600 for those who are worst off”.