Universal Credit uplift must be extended to prevent hundreds of thousands falling into poverty

Steve McCabe MP, Birmingham-Selly Oak, is a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee who in a report released today, recommend that the Chancellor must maintain for another year ‘at the very least’ the £20 per week increase in Universal Credit (UC) and Working Tax Credit introduced to support families during the coronavirus pandemic.   The report notes that sinceContinue reading Universal Credit uplift must be extended to prevent hundreds of thousands falling into poverty

Birmingham MP warns of benefit cuts as unemployment soars

Steve McCabe MP for Birmingham Selly Oak has called the Government’s proposed plans to cut Universal Credit reckless, as unemployment rises again.  Figures released today show an estimated 1.72 million people were unemployed between September and November 2020, which is the highest rate of unemployment in five years. Locally in Birmingham Selly Oak 7.4% were claiming unemployment benefits in December 2020. ThisContinue reading Birmingham MP warns of benefit cuts as unemployment soars

Birmingham MP Stands with Businesses in calls to Protect Jobs

Steve McCabe MP, Birmingham Selly Oak is calling on the Chancellor to act now to save jobs, businesses and livelihoods in Tier 3 Birmingham.  Figures released today show a bleak trend of rising unemployment across the country. In Birmingham Selly Oak constituency 7.5% of the population are now claiming unemployment benefits, well above the nationalContinue reading Birmingham MP Stands with Businesses in calls to Protect Jobs

Reverse Advent Calendar, please join my foodbank appeal

We have all been affected by coronavirus this year but it’s true to say that people will have had very different experiences. Too many people are being pushed further into poverty and as unemployment continues to rise, I am worried this is going to get worse before it gets better. The Trussell Trust Foodbank NetworkContinue reading Reverse Advent Calendar, please join my foodbank appeal

Birmingham MP pledges to work with DWP and local businesses to tackle unemployment

Steve McCabe MP for Birmingham Selly Oak pledged to work with the Department for Work and Pensions and local businesses to tackle unemployment as latest figures reveal growing unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic.   Figures released today show there were 5,630 people in Birmingham, Selly Oak constituency claiming unemployment benefits in October 2020. This equates to 7.5% of the populationContinue reading Birmingham MP pledges to work with DWP and local businesses to tackle unemployment

MPs call for starter payments to prevent hardship during wait for first Universal Credit payment

Steve McCabe MP for Birmingham Selly Oak sits on the Work and Pensions Committee who in their latest report say a starter payment should be made to people claiming Universal Credit (UC) for the first time to ensure that everyone has enough money for basics such as food and heating during the wait for theirContinue reading MPs call for starter payments to prevent hardship during wait for first Universal Credit payment

Unemployment continues to rise as city faces jobs car crash in wake of new restrictions

Figures published today by the Office for National Statistics reveal that the number of people who are unemployment in Selly Oak constituency is now 5670 , a huge 61% increase since March before lockdown began. This represents a rate of 7.7%, compared to 6.5% nationally. Unemployment across Birmingham now stands at a shocking 11.2%. ThisContinue reading Unemployment continues to rise as city faces jobs car crash in wake of new restrictions

Support for Events, weddings, night clubs and creative industries

It is clear that financial support for certain industries will be needed for longer than any of us would have hoped back in March. In his statement last week, the Chancellor said nothing about sectors that cannot re-open including events, weddings, nightclubs and the creative industries which employ hundreds of thousands of workers across theContinue reading Support for Events, weddings, night clubs and creative industries