Oxford MPs respond to concerns about Universal Credit cut
Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds and Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran have written back to Elmore to agree with our concerns about the £20-per-week cut to Universal Credit and the overall Universal Credit system.
Based on the insights of frontline caseworkers, Elmore had written to all Oxfordshire Members of Parliament to express concerns about the cut and encourage them to represent these concerns to the Government.
Anneliese Dodds MP has confirmed that she shares Elmore’s opposition to the cut and will be further representing our viewpoint. The MP also thanked our frontline caseworkers for supporting some of the most disadvantaged people in Oxfordshire and for hosting her on a recent visit to the team. Layla Moran MP echoed Elmore’s concerns.
Separately, Elmore’s advocacy and campaigning was acknowledged by Vale of the White Horse District Council when that Council’s elected members passed a motion at the Council meeting on 6th October calling on the Government to reverse the Universal Credit uplift cut.
Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Elmore Community Services said: “It’s hard to understand life without enough money if you haven’t ever experienced it. The social security system plays a critical role in meeting people’s basic needs, but instead of helping, it is getting in the way of people accessing support and things are set to get even worse. The £20 cut to pre-Covid levels adds to the problems facing the people we support. As Anneliese Dodds MP has confirmed, there is a real need for well-funded support to vulnerable individuals and families. Without it, there is no financial safety net for the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our society to depend upon.”
The letter to MPs about the £20-per-week cut to Universal Credit can be read here.
The response from Anneliese Dodds MP can be read here.
The response from Layla Moran MP can be read here.
Elmore’s Chief Executive Tom Hayes was interviewed by BBC South News about this issue. The video is available here.