Two Welsh Conservative representatives have criticised the Labour government as thousands more households in two South Wales constituencies claim Universal Credit since the general election.

Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Conservative executive member Gareth Potter and Edward Dawson, chairman at the Heads of the Valleys Conservative Federation, have both slammed the Labour government as 2,095 households in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney and 1,852 households in Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare have signed onto Universal Credit since Labour took office.

They claim the rise in households claiming Universal Credit is due to Labour's record tax burden and "strangling" of businesses with regulations.

Gareth Potter, Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Conservative Executive member, has slammed the Labour Government over the increase in Universal Credit claims (Image: Gareth Potter) The Chair of the Heads of the Valleys Conservative Federation, Edward Dawson, said: "After Labour attacked businesses with higher taxes and more regulation, it was a sad inevitability that it would result in fewer opportunities here in Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, and more people signing onto Universal Credit.

"Only the Conservatives understand that it is the makers who create jobs and growth, not the Government.

"But with more tax rises coming this Autumn to pay for Labour’s failures, it is people and businesses in Blaenau Gwent,........

© South Wales Argus