COUNCIL chiefs in Sunderland are to write to Government ministers over the removal of the £20 uplift for those on Universal Credit.

It came after a motion was put forward at the latest City Council meeting by Labour councillors looking to address Government cuts in financial support to the most vulnerable. 

Read more: Iconic Dorman Long tower to be demolished after special status removed

However Conservative councillors hit out at the move, questioning the number of letters the council writes over such issues.

The motion, which was ultimately agreed upon by councillors, labelled the decision to remove the uplift provision for those on Universal Credit “deplorable”, adding it will “push many struggling families further into poverty.”

The motion will see the council pledge to support those at risk of financial difficulties by offering solutions through local employment schemes.

It also calls on them to utilise and enhance the current Welfare Rights Service for those most vulnerable, supporting local job clubs and training provision.

Finally a letter on behalf of the council will be written to the Chancellor and Prime Minister demanding the Government re-introduce the payment as a matter of urgency Labour’s Cllr Karen Noble, who proposed the motion, called on everyone to come together to support residents impacted.

She said: “Universal Credit is there to help and support people on low income, the unemployed.

“I want us to help support our residents to get jobs and to get better jobs, if they can.

"If they can’t, then I don’t want this uplift to go.

“Now is not the time to increase food banks, now is the time to make our residents more financially, emotionally and mentally resilient.”

Several Labour councillors at the meeting spoke in favour of the motion, along with Liberal Democrat representatives.

However Conservative group leader Cllr Antony Mullen hit out at the motion, adding comments made by some Labour councillors were “intentionally insulting” to his group.

He said: “For the second meeting in a row Labour has proposed writing a letter, I think they have run out of ideas for our city.

“I do want to keep the uplift, but this motion I think was intended for Labour to put on a united front.

“It wasn’t intended for the Conservative group to support it and so we will be abstaining.”

He added they already previously voted on a motion to say they would like to keep the £20 uplift.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054