Citizens Advice Wigan Borough joins coalition of organisations opposing planned cut to Universal Credit

Citizens Advice Wigan Borough has joined up with a coalition of charities across Greater Manchester to express concerns around the planned cut to Universal Credit. 

In October, hundreds of thousands of Greater Manchester residents will face an overnight loss of £20 a week if the Government ploughs on with the planned cut to Universal Credit.

The coalition of organisations includes Citizens Advice branches from across Greater Manchester. The group has written directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to stop the planned cut to Universal Credit.

The letter sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Lisa Kidston, Chief Officer, says:  

“At a time when our region is recovering from the economic impact of coronavirus, this cut could be devastating to Greater Manchester. If the cut goes ahead, it will remove over £193 million from our regional economy, damaging businesses and putting jobs at risk. It will also push many parents out of work as they lose their entitlement to Universal Credit and the benefit’s childcare element.

The impact on Wigan, Leigh, and Makerfield residents’ wellbeing, as well as the impact on the region’s economy, are in direct opposition to the Government’s ‘Levelling Up Agenda’ and risk worsening the north-south economic divide.

Harming the region’s economy and risking an increase in child poverty will have a long-lasting impact on our region. This is why we have joined this coalition of organisations committed to advocating for residents and businesses across Greater Manchester, to urge the Government to reconsider the planned cut.”