CLYDEBANK'S MP has urged the UK Government to reverse its 'devastating' cuts to Universal Credit.

Martin Docherty-Hughes' plea came as new analysis showed more than 9,000 people in West Dunbartonshire could see their incomes slashed by £1,040 per year from October when the £20 per week uplift is due to end.

Analysis from the House of Commons Library, using the latest DWP data, has revealed that almost half a million (477,996) people in Scotland could be hit by the cut – at a total cost to Scottish families of around £430 million a year.

Of those, almost 10,000 live across Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven – representing 16.8 per cent of West Dunbartonshire’s adult population aged 16 to 65. 

Now Mr Docherty-Hughes is urging the UK Government to make the £20 a week uplift permanent as well as extending it to legacy benefits including Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support and Working Tax Credits.

He said: "It is crucial that the UK government scraps the devastating Tory Universal Credit cuts, which could slash the incomes of almost half a million Scottish families by £1,040 from October. 

"At a time when energy bills and the cost of living are soaring, it would be unthinkable for the Tory government to go ahead with cuts that would decimate the incomes of almost 10,000 local families in West Dunbartonshire. 

"The UK is already suffering from a growing Tory poverty crisis, with the worst levels of poverty and inequality of any country in north-west Europe - and the highest levels of in-work poverty this century as a direct result of Tory cuts, tax hikes and the cost of Brexit.

"I am urging the Chancellor to U-turn on these Tory cuts, and instead make the £20 Universal Credit uplift permanent and extend it to legacy benefits - as part of a wider package of measures to protect household incomes."

A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "As announced by the Chancellor at the budget, the uplift to Universal Credit was always temporary. It was designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic, and it has done so.

"Universal Credit will continue to provide vital support for those both in and out of work and it’s right that the Government should focus on our plan for jobs, supporting people back into work and supporting those already employed to progress and earn more.

"The Scottish Parliament has significant welfare powers and can top-up existing benefits, pay discretionary payments and create entirely new benefits in areas of devolved responsibility."