More people are receiving Universal Credit in the North West than any other region in the country.

127,851 people in the North West are currently claiming the benefit which is pushing families into poverty and debt. Over 47,000 of those are in Greater Manchester alone.

· The Government’s own data shows that one in four new claims is not being paid in full in six weeks and half of Universal Credit recipients need a loan to cover the first six weeks.

· The delay is driving people into debt, arrears and even evictions. Half of families in arrears under Universal Credit have said that their rent arrears started after they made their claim.

· 42 per cent of families in arrears under Universal Credit state that it is due to the waiting times to receive payment, support being delayed or stopped, or administrative errors in the system.

Labour is calling on the Government to pause the rollout of the benefit while the problems are addressed.

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on today’s Universal Credit statistics, said:

“The increase in the number of people on Universal Credit is worrying given the Government's chaotic handling of its roll out.

“The Conservatives have finally listened to Labour and scrapped the premium phone helpline for claimants, now they need to listen to the calls of charities and councils and back Labour's motion today to immediately pause and fix the roll out of Universal Credit, before more people are pushed into rent arrears, poverty and homelessness.”