Gordon has called on the Prime Minster and her Government to make the Universal Credit helpline free - saying the system was letting down some of his most vulnerable constituents.



He brought up the issue at Prime Minsters Questions after being contacted locally by the Salvation Army and Streetlife about the problems claimants were having around Universal Credit and benefit sanctions - some of whom are suffering from mental health problems.

In his question to Theresa May, he said: "Does the Prime Minister know that the Universal Credit process is failing my constituents. Locally the Salvation Army and Streetlife report that vulnerable Blackpool people are juggling a month’s money without help. That there are unfair sanctions for people with mental health issues, that a six-week wait for money is causing more stress, and that there is a phone helpline that Citizens Advice says can cost claimants 55p a minute and take 39 minutes to answer.

"Can she start by getting them a freephone number?"

Mrs May failed to answer Gordon's specific ask on the issue of helpline charges, only saying "The DWP is constantly looking at the scheme and how it is operating around the country to ensure that any problems that people raise are addressed".