Growing revolt over Universal Credit as McVey admits ‘some will be worse off’

THERESA May faced a growing revolt over the rollout of Universal Credit last night.

It came after Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey admitted the new system will leave some worse off.

Conservative MPs including Iain Duncan Smith, the architect of UC, yesterday called on the Chancellor to pump more money into the welfare reform.

Yesterday former prime minister Sir John Major warned ministers risk a poll tax-style backlash if the changes are seen as unfair. UC combines six benefits – jobseeker’s allowance, tax credits, housing benefit, income support, child tax credits and employment and support allowance – into one monthly payment. But according to reports, millions of families could be left up to £ 00 a month worse off.

Sir John said there was ‘a real danger it will be introduced too soon and in the wrong circumstances’. Miss McVey declined to confirm or deny claims some people would lose out to the tune of £ 00 a month but did say some will be worse off.

Mr Duncan Smith yesterday said an additional £ billion must be pumped into it to make it operate as planned.

Nigel Mills, who is a Tory member of the work and pensions committee, urged ministers to slow down the rollpay out until the system is shown to be capable of making payments accurately and on time. Tory MP Johnny Mercer said UC was ‘politically undeliverable’ in his Devon constituency.

The Government said it was ‘listening to concerns’.