COLCHESTER Council has been urged to plead with the Government to reverse the upcoming reduction in Universal Credit payments which will cause “a great deal of misery and suffering”.

The £20 a week boost to the benefit, introduced because of the pandemic, is set to come to an end this autumn.

Despite calls from charities, councillors and its own MPs, the Government is so far staying firm in its commitment to go-ahead with the change.

Speaking at a meeting of Colchester Council’s cabinet, Tim Young (Lab) urged the authority to do all it could to try to halt the move.

He told the Cabinet more than 1,600 Colchester Borough Homes tenants were on Universal Credit, including 475 in his ward of Greenstead.

Mr Young said the reduction would equate to £1.68million lost income for Colchester residents, and read emotional testimonies from those who receive the benefit about how the change would impact them.

“This is something which will effect residents in every ward,” he said.

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“Conservative MPs have written to the Government urging them to stop this cut, which will cause a great deal of misery and suffering.

“The effect on the foodbank and other charities will be enormous and the social cost of this cut is incalculably huge.”

Councillor Martin Goss, who is also the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman, said after the meeting: “Colchester has had to pull itself through this pandemic, while dealing with this incompetent heartless Conservative government, This cut will do untold damage to so many of our local families.

“There is no question that Government has to reverse this needless cut and support normal working people here.

“Colchester Liberal Democrats are calling for the Universal Credit uplift to be made permanent.”

Mr Young added: “This isn’t an issue for me about party politics, this is an issue about morality and humanity.”

Council leader Conservative Paul Dundas said he would look at further information provided by Mr Young and explore the authority’s options.