PRESSURE in growing on the Chancellor to bring an end to the benefits freeze which costs families affected in Glasgow hundreds of pounds a year.

In his budget tomorrow, Philip Hammond has the opportunity to end the freeze which has been in place for the last two years and due to last until 2020.

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Research shows that 700,000 families in Scotland are hit by the freeze which affects all working age benefits depriving households of £300m with on average families in Glasgow losing out on £450 a year.

Anti-poverty campaign groups backed by MPs in the city want the UK Government to abandon the freeze, instead of forcing greater hardship on benefit claimants for another two years.

Across the whole of the UK, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates half a million people will be in poverty if the freeze is allowed to continue until 2020.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “It has become increasingly apparent in recent months that the freeze to benefits is impossible to justify either on the basis of efficiency or effectiveness.

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“We now know that the continuation of the freeze will be one of the main causes of increased poverty over the coming years.

“As the cost of living continues to rise, keeping people’s incomes the same is causing real financial hardship to families and trapping people in poverty.

“If the UK Government is genuinely interested in helping those who are ‘just about managing’ then this harmful policy must end.”

Politicians have called for the freeze to be ended with all Glasgow’s seven MP’s in favour of the Chancellor calling it to a halt and allowing increases again.

SNP, Labour, LibDem and Green MSPs also support ending the freeze.

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Chris Stephens Glasgow South West SNP MP, said: “The benefit freeze is pushing more and more of our poorest and most vulnerable citizens further into deeper poverty. We are a wealthy society, and it is shameful that so many are forced to choose every day between heating and eating.

“Continued austerity is hitting the least wealthy the hardest, with local voluntary groups and food banks expected to pick up the pieces. It’s time for a fairer social security system that protects and support those who need our help, rather than punishing people for being poor.

“The budget is a chance for Philip Hammond to show the UK Government is serious about tackling poverty. I hope he takes it.”