He said: “For many decades the UK prided itself on providing a reasonable measure of social security to its citizens who had fallen on rough times – be that through illness, old age, unemployment or poverty.  

“Guaranteeing security for the most vulnerable in society is a sign of a civilized country.

“The  proposal that the poorest people in our midst – those relying on benefits – may see a real terms cut in their already meagre support seems so immoral.
“It is essential that Government commit to upgrading benefits to at least keep pace with inflation.  The poor must not be sacrificed in an attempt to shore up the Government’s credibility with the markets. Making the poor poorer is not an act of fiscal prudence, it is an act of injustice”.