Dundee West MP Chris Law has called on the UK Government’s new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to extend the Cost of Living Payments to cover those who receive benefits but currently fall outwith the scope of additional support.
The UK Government announced earlier this year that they would introduce two Cost of Living Payments to help those on certain benefits, such as income-based Universal Credit and Pension Credit. The first payment of £326 was made earlier in the summer, with a further payment of £324 expected to arrive this Autumn to coincide with the rise in the energy cap.
The UK Government previously claimed Cost of Living Payments were introduced to help the most vulnerable in society deal with rising energy and food costs, with inflation driving the cost of living up and energy prices set to double for most households from October 1st.
Controversy has surrounded their decision, however, to exempt people currently sanctioned from receiving the Payments, as well as limiting the extent of the programme to only cover certain benefits.
In a letter to the new Secretary of State, Mr Law called on the UK Government to extend the scope of the Payments to cover those on additional benefits, such as New Style Employment and Support Allowance, and to reverse their decision to exempt those who are currently sanctioned from the Payments.
Mr Law said:
“The new Work and Pensions Secretary of State comes into post with the country facing rampant inflation, food prices rising and energy prices through the roof.
“Urgent and drastic action is needed to help protect the country’s most vulnerable people this winter. The UK Government cannot continue to stick their heads in the sand in the hopes that this will go away.
“I have heard from constituents who receive benefits, such as New Style Employment Support Allowance, who will not receive these Cost of Living Payments. The UK Government recognises that additional support for these people is required yet has decided to exclude them. Make no mistake: this will do incredible damage this coming winter.
“The decision to also exempt people currently sanctioned from additional support is simply heaping misery upon misery, and the UK Government must urgently reverse this decision.”
Chris Law 