TORY BENEFIT CAP HITS 140 FAMILIES IN D&G

The number of households in Dumfries and Galloway hit by the Tory government’s ‘harmful’ benefit cap has soared by 57% since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

New statistics show that as of May this year, a total of 6,034 households in Scotland were hit by the benefit cap – an increase of almost 76 per cent. In Dumfries and Galloway, around 140 households saw the money they received cut by this policy.

Shelter Scotland has warned that the controversial benefit cap, which the SNP has called to be scrapped, is forcing families into poverty during this Coronavirus crisis.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said:

“Austerity is having a devastating impact on thousands of families in Dumfries and Galloway and across Scotland, with vulnerable people hit hard by the benefit cap, as well as a host of other Tory welfare cuts.

“The SNP has long called for an end to the benefit cap, which hits families with children hardest, and leaves people in Dumfries and Galloway worrying about how they’ll pay rent or put food on the table.

“In government, the SNP has done everything it can to support those hit by the benefit cap – but as long as the key levers remain in the hands of Westminster, we are fighting poverty with one hand tied behind our backs.

“Now, more than ever, these shocking figures must serve as a wake-up call to Boris Johnson and his government. If they were really serious about improving the lives of people in Dumfries and Galloway they would scrap this harmful policy now.”

www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-number-of-households-capped-to-may-2020

Number of households that had their benefits capped at May 2020 – TOTAL BY LOCAL AUTHORITY [FIGURE 1]
UNIVERSAL CREDIT – FEBRUARY 2020 [FIGURE 2]
HOUSING BENEFIT FEBRUARY 2020 [FIGURE 3]
TOTAL FEBRUARY 2020 [FIGURE 4]
UNIVERSAL CREDIT – MAY 2020 [FIGURE 5]
HOUSING BENEFIT MAY 2020 [FIGURE 6]
TOTAL MAY 2020 [FIGURE 7]
PERCENTAGE RISE [FIGURE 8]
Dumfries and Galloway
140
40
50
90
100
41
141
57%