Pressure is mounting on south Scotland Conservative MPs Alister Jack, John Lamont and David Mundell to oppose a forthcoming cut to universal credit, after more Conservative MPs backed calls to halt the change.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson, whose constituency lies just across the border, said the £20-per-week increase, brought in as a response to the pandemic, should be made permanent.

The UK Government announced that the pandemic universal credit uplift of £20 a week will be withdrawn at the end of September despite widespread public and cross-party opposition to the move, leading to cuts of up to £1,000 a year for tens of thousands families across South Scotland.

Earlier this month Colin Smyth wrote to South Scotland Conservative MPs Alister Jack, John Lamont and David Mundell calling on them to oppose a cut that will hammer thousands of families in their constituency. 

Colin Smyth said: “There is near universal opposition to this shameful and callous cut and I’ve written to the Tory MPs across the South of Scotland calling on them to stand up for their constituents and oppose this move.

“Pressure is now mounting on Alister Jack, John Lamont and David Mundell to oppose the cut, especially after one of their own colleagues in a neighbouring constituency has written to Boris Johnson asking that the £20 a week increase be made permanent.

“By the government’s own reckoning, there could be hundreds of thousands or even millions of people across the UK self-isolating in September because of the current Covid strategy, yet the Tories see fit to slash support for those in need that will hit tens of thousands of families across the South of Scotland.

“Reducing Universal Credit will hit the most vulnerable people in our society hardest. It’s time our Tory MPs see sense, backed struggling families in our area and joined the growing calls to reverse this cut.”