Government Failing Londoners on Universal Credit

Marina Ahmad AM proposed, and Joanne McCartney AM seconded, the following motion:

“This Assembly notes that London now has more than 1 million people claiming Universal Credit. 

This Assembly notes that 4 in 10 claimants in London are employed but do not earn enough to support themselves and their families.

This is an outcome of economic mismanagement from the Government, who have overseen a long-term decline in jobs and wages. On top of this, a record 2.6 million are out of work because of ill health3, many of whom would be able to return to work if the Government tackled NHS waiting lists.

The Assembly welcomes the Mayor supporting Londoners with the cost of living, including freezing transport fares, extending free school meals for primary school children, providing free holiday meals for children and running a successful pension credit campaign.

The Assembly notes the Mayor’s long-term investments that will help address the cost of living in the future, such as the affordable housing programme, encouraging employers to sign up to the London Living Wage and insulation programmes to help with heating costs.

This Assembly condemns the Government’s economic mismanagement that has led to one million Londoners having to claim Universal Credit. 

This Assembly further condemns attacks of workers’ rights, which will cause a decrease in pay and conditions, such as the minimum service level legislation. 

The Assembly calls on the Mayor to lobby the Government to urgently take action to address low wages and insecure work. This Assembly also calls on the Government to address NHS waiting lists to help claimants get the care they need to return to work.”

Following debate and upon being put to a vote, the motion was agreed, with 13 votes being cast in favour and 7 votes being cast against.