The Tories’ callous cut to Universal Credit this week will push hardworking families into even more hardship.

In my constituency of Bristol West, over 10,000 people will have their incomes slashed by more than £1,000 a year. This means nearly 5,000 children in families with less money for food, heating, rent or clothes.

Almost half of people receiving Universal Credit are already in work. The Work and Pensions Secretary is so out of touch that she thinks that people would only need to work an extra two hours to make up for the cut. If only it were that simple. In fact, to replace the £20 a week that is being cut, someone on Universal Credit would have to work nine extra hours.

Right now, the rising cost of living is hitting people hard. Instead of helping families, the Tories are choosing to cut their incomes further. This winter, people will be forced to choose between heating their homes and eating.

In Parliament, my Labour colleagues and I have been urging the government to recognise the squeeze faced by millions of people across the country and cancel the cut (for example see my questions here and here). Ministers have not listened.

This government can find billions for dodgy contracts for ministers’ mates, but when it comes to helping working people, they deliver nothing but broken promises.