South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has called on the Tory Government to reverse their “catastrophic” cut to Universal Credit.

The call comes after new figures from Scottish Labour revealed the devastating impact the cut will have in Dumfries and Galloway, where up to 24 per cent of households will be affected.

This means up to 17,130 households locally will lose up to £1,040 a year when the cut kicks in this week.

Colin Smyth has demanded the Tories “cancel the cut” and called on the SNP to show “ambition” setting out a better path in Scotland.

Colin Smyth said: “The Tories are inflicting untold damage on local people with this disgraceful cut.

“There was never any justification for this, but it is all the more dangerous to press ahead with this cut as a cost of living crisis grows with rising energy bills and prices rocketing in the shops.

“In Dumfries and Galloway, thousands of households will be hit, forcing them to make impossible choices to try and make ends meet this winter.

“It’s not too late for the Tories to do the right thing and cancel this catastrophic cut.

“This uplift was an essential lifeline during the pandemic, but it was also an admission that our social security system is not fit for purpose. It wasn’t good enough for those who needed it during the pandemic and it’s not good enough for those who need it now.

“The Tories have given up any pretence of caring about the most vulnerable in our society. If they refuse to cancel the cut it will go down in history as a particularly shameful act from a cruel and uncaring government.

“If the Tories are intent on this heartless approach, we can and must take a different path in Scotland – but it will require real ambition from the SNP.

“Both governments must pull out every stop to prevent poverty and deliver a truly fair recovery from the pandemic.”