Bill Wiggin (MP for North Herefordshire) and Jesse Norman (MP for Hereford & Herefordshire South) have both joined the vast majority of Conservative MPs in abstaining from a vote to scrap the upcoming cut in universal credit.
There were 278 votes in favour of the motion, with no votes against recorded. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had ordered Conservative MPs to abstain from the vote but a few did go against the government by backing the motion.
Conservative MPs Robert Halfon, Stephen Crabb, Peter Aldous, Jason McCartney, Anne Marie Morris and Matthew Offord all supported the motion.
A £20-a-week increase in Universal Credit was introduced last year to help families cope during the pandemic. However, this is set to end in April, but with the ongoing lockdown and the likelihood of restrictions continuing until well into the Spring, many have called for this to be extended rather than scrapped so that struggling families continue to be supported at this difficult time.
The motion was put forward by Labour and pressure is now expected to mount of the government to scrap plans to cut universal credit.
