THE Labour Party has “let down the UK’s working class” after abstaining on Monday's vote on the welfare cap, the SNP have said.
The decision, which will limit the amount the UK Government can spend on certain social security benefits and tax credits, was voted through in the House of Commons on Monday night – with only fourteen Labour MPs voting against the motion alongside the SNP.
The decision comes at a time when the UK faces a cost of living crisis with soaring inflation, rising energy bills and upcoming tax increases.
Welfare cap votes by party
It also comes on top of the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit being scrapped, which charities have warned will cause child poverty to rise.
Commenting, the SNP’s shadow chancellor Alison Thewliss MP said: “One has to question what the point of the Labour Party is if they fail to vote down a welfare cap which directly impacts the lowest earners in our society.
“As the UK faces a Tory-made cost-of-living crisis, it is the duty of the opposition to fight for those being directly affected. However, yet again, the Labour Party are posted missing and continue to let down the UK’s working class.
READ MORE: SNP issue demands to ease cost of living crisis as PM 'sleepwalking into catastrophe'
Thewliss said the UK Government’s decision to vote in favour of this cap is "nothing short of scandalous".
She continued: "It is disgraceful that, once again, the Tories are trying to balance the books on the backs of those on the lowest incomes.
“It's clear that whether it's a Labour or Tory UK Government, Scotland will always be vulnerable under Westminster control.
"The only way to keep Scotland’s families safe is to become an independent nation with the full powers needed to build a strong, fair and progressive country.”
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