The threat of the withdrawal of the £20 uplift to universal credit is weighing heavily on the consciences of very many of us (The universal credit cut is outrageous, but this callousness is nothing new, 22 September). But I feel helpless. I have written to my MP, who says that he and his colleagues “will continue to press the government to think again”. Unobjectionable but clearly ineffective.
Is the opposition so cowed that it cannot effectively demonstrate that it really cares? If words don’t work, isn’t it time to take some action, disrupt parliamentary procedure, organise demonstrations of public solidarity with the most vulnerable people in our society, or even have the courage for civil disobedience? This cruel threat to hurt the poorest people has to be resisted, and if not by the opposition, then by whom? The government is counting on the inability of the victims of their cruelty to organise themselves, and on the docility of opposition parties. How cowardly and despicable.
David Evans
Exeter
• We wish to express our profound concern about the government’s plan to withdraw the £20 uplift to universal credit as of 1 October (The £20 benefit cut is the most morally indefensible thing I’ve seen in politics, 22 September). Analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that this action will result in 500,000 more people falling into poverty, including 200,000 children, even before taking into account the effects of the increase in fuel prices and national insurance. Many of those affected are the very people who have already suffered disproportionately from Covid-19. This is simply unacceptable and a stain on our society. We call on the government to rescind this proposal with immediate effect.
Rabbi Alexandra Wright Senior Rabbi, Liberal Jewish Synagogue, Rabbi David Mason Muswell Hill Synagogue, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg New North London Synagogue, Rabbi Rebecca Birk Finchley Progressive Synagogue
• Despite the prime minister’s comment (made on 21 September) that “wages and energy prices are rising”, I have not noticed any difference to my school caretaker’s payslip. I have, however, noticed a sharp increase in energy prices. Surely Boris Johnson wasn’t speaking half-truths?
Ian Roberts
Pett, East Sussex
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
