COUNCILLORS in Torfaen have backed a motion opposing the decision to scrap the £20 uplift in Universal Credit, while pledging to offer support to those impacted in the borough.

The ending of the temporary increase in Universal Credit – introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic – will hit around 7,000 households in Torfaen, cutting their income by £1,000 per year.

A motion passed by Torfaen council on Tuesday opposes the UK Government decision to end the uplift, and expresses concern about its impact on residents.

Put forward by council leader, Cllr Anthony Hunt, the motion states: “We recognise that the uplift was not meant to be permanent, but believe that now is certainly not the time to make this cut, with rising energy and food costs coming on top of the economic impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”

Cllr Hunt questioned the timing of the decision to end the uplift, saying it was “a dangerous moment” to cut the income of 7,000 households in the borough.

The motion also supports the decision of the local authority to increase housing support payments by £4 per week, and community initiatives to provide food support to help those in need.

The increase in Discretionary Housing Payments, intended to help offset the ending of the uplift, will help about 700 households in the borough.

“We believe stepping in is the best thing we can do to help those families and to prevent crisis occurring,” Cllr Hunt said.

“£4 a week might not seem a lot but of course it’s four loaves of bread, a chunk of the heating bill, it helps them meet the costs of rent as well.”

Supporting the motion, Cllr David Daniels said it was “terrible timing” to be ending the uplift amid increases in costs of living.

But Conservative councillor Nick Jones objected to the motion describing the ending of the uplift as a ‘cut’ to Universal Credit payments.

He said the motion “does not recognise all of the effort put in by the government to support the most vulnerable” during the pandemic.

Cllr Jones also said it was ‘inappropriate’ to link a national political issue with support being offered by the council, and suggested that the motion should be split in two parts.

Independent councillor Gwyn Jenkins gave his backing to the motion, despite objecting to the term ‘cut.’

“I support anything we can do for other people,” he said.

Two alternative motions put forward by Cllr Jones were defeated, before the original motion was passed.

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