THREATS of a return to austerity were on the table at PMQs this week. Opposition MPs called for no return to austerity in next week’s Budget, highlighting the very fragile economic position many find themselves in. But realistically, we all know austerity never left us, despite Theresa May’s declaration in 2018. When the Conservatives have their hands on the economy, welfare is never at the top of their agenda.

WATCH: Boris Johnson refuses to rule out return to Tory austerity cuts

But it was the question from Stuart C McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth & Kirkintilloch East MP) that really impacted at PMQs. Mr McDonald urged the PM to have his Chancellor read the most recent report from the Trussell Trust, “Dignity or Destitution: the case for keeping the temporary uplift to Universal Credit”. As he highlighted to the House, the PM and his government have been very generous to their friends with PPE contracts – now is the time to deliver dignity to six million claimants on Universal Credit and make the temporary uplift of £20 per week permanent.

Catriona C Clark
Falkirk