As the Conservatives slash Universal Credit for 4879 households in Stratford, new analysis reveals the cut will leave families £220 worse off by Christmas.

The Universal Credit cut comes in on Wednesday 6 October, leaving recipients facing 11 weeks of reduced support before December 25th. The cut comes amid a wider squeeze for working families including rising energy prices, the proposed National Insurance hike and widespread fears that the Conservatives plan to raise council tax to fund its social care commitments.

The Universal Credit cut will see 4879 households (7805 recipients) lose £1,040 a year – at a cost of over £5m to the local economy.

Cat Price, Chair of Stratford CLP, said:

“Working families across the district are taking an absolute battering from the Conservatives. Higher tax, lower support and rising energy prices – this is a perfect storm and local families are being abandoned by this Tory Government just when they need them most.

“Ministers like to pretend that this crisis won’t hit families hard but the truth is that those on Universal Credit will be down £220 by Christmas alone – that’s more than half the average family Christmas budget.

“People in Stratford need real support, but all they get from this Conservative government are empty slogans and a cost of living crisis that could ruin Christmas. Hardworking families deserve better.

“We are calling on Nadhim Zahawi MP to stand up for Stratford and object to the budget on October 27th if it doesn’t reinstate the £20 uplift for UC claimants and hope residents who agree will sign our petition to share their views.“