Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has said the austerity threat to families in South Lanarkshire shows why independence for Scotland is so crucial, following stark warnings on the impact of real terms benefits cuts in the area.

Across Lanark and Hamilton East, 10,577 households are set to be subjected to the largest real terms permanent benefits cut in a single year according to analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

As a result, Ms Crawley has submitted an Early Day Motion to parliament calling for the UK Government to uprate benefits in line with inflation.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“The latest threat facing more than 10,000 households here in Lanark and Hamilton East goes to show exactly why independence is so crucial.

“Amidst a brutal cost-of-living crisis local families and households are set to be affected by the largest permanent benefits cut in a single year ever.

“Households in Lanark and Hamilton East can no longer afford rising prices and must be able to escape with the full powers of independence.”

EDM 449 – Uprating benefits in line with inflation is available to view at: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/60163