That the Parliament agrees, along with opposition parties in the UK Parliament, that the UK Government’s planned reduction to universal credit should be reversed; recognises the cross-party efforts of opposition parties in the UK Parliament and the social security committees of each of the four nations' parliaments and assembly in this aim; notes Scottish Government analysis that the reduction of universal credit could reduce welfare expenditure in Scotland by £461 million a year by 2023-24 and push 60,000 people, including 20,000 children, into poverty; agrees that the inadequacy of the payment is just one of many issues with universal credit, alongside the two-child cap and the abhorrent so-called "rape clause", the five-week wait for a first payment, the benefit sanctions regime and the so-called "bedroom tax"; believes that this reflects the UK Government’s uncompassionate approach to welfare, which has been challenged by opposition parties across the UK, and acknowledges Scotland’s human rights-based approach to social security.
Supported by:
Ben Macpherson
Result 88 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote Vote Passed
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
No Party Affiliation
Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Monday, September 27, 2021
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Result 28 for, 88 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote Vote Defeated