WITH more than 30,000 people in Wirral receiving universal credit the cut to the £20-a-week increase, which was axed on October 6, has affected many.

The weekly increase was introduced during the pandemic to support those on low income.

New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions have shown that people in Wirral will lose more than £1,000 a year as a result.

Cllr Jo Bird said: "This cruel Conservative government have cut £20 every week from every person on Universal Credit.

“Their cut directly affects 1,600 adults in Bromborough ward and 30,700 across the Wirral - and takes £32 million out of the local Wirral economy. #CancelTheCut."

Figures show that 30,764 people were claiming Universal Credit in Wirral in July – the latest available data. Of those, 63% were not in work.

Birkenhead and Tranmere ward had the most people receiving universal credit in Wirral standing at 3,688 meaning residents have lost £73,760 a week.

Residents in the Heswall ward claiming universal credit, the lowest out the wards at 382, has lost £6,560 a week.

See full list of data on the number of adults affected for every ward on Wirral below.