Ben Lake MP urges the UK Government to strengthen welfare protections after new figures revealed almost a million people have applied for Universal Credit in the past fortnight.
Ben Lake MP said the current system of Universal Credit was not generous or flexible enough to properly support the millions of people that need help amid the coronavirus crisis.
Plaid Cymru has called on the UK Government to use the tax and welfare system to boost support and ensure no one is left behind – by introducing a temporary Emergency Basic Income for everyone.
Ben Lake MP said: "The staggering news that almost a million people have applied for Universal Credit in the past fortnight alone highlights the huge scale of the crisis we face – and proves beyond doubt that more support is needed.
"The UK Government must listen to those of us who have been calling for welfare protections to be significantly strengthened to help people through this unprecedented emergency.
"Plaid Cymru have repeatedly called for the Chancellor to introduce a temporary Emergency Basic Income for everyone. That is the simplest way to ensure everyone has the support they need. It is clear that the current jobs retention and self-employed schemes are failing to cover everyone.
"The Universal Credit system must be urgently improved so it is more generous, flexible, and responsive to people's needs – including by tackling the delays and introducing an immediate upfront payment. People shouldn't have to wait weeks to get the help they need right now."
Mr Lake added: "Every MP will have constituents who are desperate for greater help. The UK Government rightly brought in the rules to keep people socially isolated but they must now match that by protecting their incomes.
"The flaws in the UK's welfare system are not new - but the scale of this crisis means they must now be urgently addressed so millions are not left struggling to get by."