Discredit Council leader warns of shock to come

The policy of Universal Credit has been a disaster for Newcastle upon Tyne, after it was chosen to test out the new benefit system, senior figures have warned.

Nick Forbes, Labour leader of Newcastle City Council, said the rest of the country would be “in for a hell of a shock” if the full roll-out followed the same format. He said most people on Universal Credit in the city were behind on their rent payments, sometimes by as much as 16 to 18 weeks.

Your Homes Newcastle, which manages homes on behalf of the council, told MPS that it was struggling to prevent claimants becoming homeless.