The benefit cap, which was introduced by the British Government in 2013, blocks households from getting all the help they are entitled to from the social security system, as it does not generally rise with inflation. Indeed, figures show that households outside London lose out on a massive £1,800 a year compared with what they would have got if the cap had risen with prices. The SNP want to see the benefit cap abolished entirely, which is reflected back to me by my constituents, particularly in Parkhead and Lilybank, where this petition originated.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to grant time for the Second Reading of the Benefit Cap (Report on Abolition) Bill and commit to passing all stages of my Bill in the House.
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of the residents of the constituency of Glasgow East,
Declares that the UK benefit cap is a punitive measure which forces families unnecessarily into poverty; notes the figures from the Poverty Alliance which suggest up to 150,000 households outside of London will have their benefit capped and could lose up to £1,800 per annum in social security support.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to grant time the Second Reading of the Benefit Cap (Report on Abolition) Bill and commit its support to passing all stages in the House.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P002794]