Over 6,700 households across Lanark and Hamilton East have been directly impacted by the cut to Universal Credit according to new statistics.

Analysis from the House of Commons Library has revealed that, as of August 2021, 6,756 households across the constituency saw their incomes slashed by £1,040 per year – at the same time the country was gripped by a global pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis.

Across Scotland, more than 340,000 households have been affected by the cuts.

The Scottish Child Payment was introduced this year and is set to be doubled to £20-per-week from April – a move that has been endorsed by a number of key stakeholders.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“This latest analysis from the House of Commons Library is damning..

“As a result of the Universal Credit Cut cut, over 6,700 households across Lanark and Hamilton East will be facing a harsh and difficult 2022.

“The Scottish Government continues to help those on the lowest incomes with commitments to doubling the Scottish Child Payment and to introducing a new winter heating benefit to help around 400,000 low-income families across the country.

“Only with the full powers of independence can Scotland deliver a social security system with fairness and justice at its heart.”