Express & Star

Gordon Brown calls on Government to halt benefit changes in West Midlands speech

Gordon Brown today called on the Government to suspend the roll-out of Universal Credit – claiming the number of children in poverty in the West Midlands would rise to half a million.

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Gordon Brown

The former Prime Minister was appearing with deputy Labour leader Tom Watson in West Bromwich Town Hall this afternoon.

And he urge Chancellor Phillip Hammond to axe the changes to the benefit system in his November 22 budget , saying it causes 'chaos and confusion' and will 'do nothing' to alleviate poverty.

“Today four million children are in poverty and the National Health Service is close to breaking point," he said.

"By 2022, five million children will be in poverty and the NHS will be £22billion a year short of the cash it needs.

“In the West Midlands the figure will rise from 400,000 to 500,000.

“These statistics are tragic and please be in no doubt: Britain is suffering a poverty and NHS emergency.”

Mr Brown said that the number of people living in low income households with at least three children in the West Midlands was almost twice as high as the South East.

He said the decision to limit tax credits and universal credit to the first two children will have a bigger effect on incomes in the West Midlands, and so will see a bigger rise in poverty as a result.

He also revealed fresh statistics showing that 52,537 people in the West Midlands were dependent on three-day emergency food supplies given by food-banks during April and September, 2017.

Mr Brown is currently touring the country to promote his new book My Life, Our Times, which was published last week.

He was also appearing at Warwick University today.

A Government spokesman said: "The best way to help people improve their lives is through work, and Universal Credit claimants are moving into work faster and staying in work longer than the old system.

"The vast majority of people are paid their Universal Credit in full and on time and advance payments and budgeting support is available for anyone who needs extra help."