Tories braced for rebellion on Universal Credit plans

MINISTERS are braced for a Commons rebellion this week over Universal Credit, with up to 25 Tory MPS said to be ready to vote for a pause in the plans.

Labour is also examining whether it can amend the legislation underpinning Universal Credit to force the Government to stop the roll-out of its flagship welfare reform. The party has secured a full-day debate to demand a rethink on the reform and is in talks with Tory rebels to join them.

Labour sources said they expected between 15 and 25 Tory MPS to support a motion on Wednesday to pause an acceleration of the roll-out of Universal Credit. One source said the party was now examining whether its MPS could amend the legislation behind the rollout, potentially stopping it in its tracks.

Universal Credit combines six benefits into a single payment, which is paid out monthly. Tory MPS are concerned that claimants lose out when they switch from their existing benefits because there is a six-week delay when they change over. They want this cut to four weeks. There are also concerns over the rate at which people lose their benefits when they move into work.

The scale of the potential rebellion will alarm ministers because the Government only has a working majority of 12 MPS, with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party. The Daily Telegraph understands that DUP MPS are planning to abstain on the vote on Wednesday.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “No one who needs support should have to wait six weeks. That’s why advance payments are available to new claimants who need one within five working days, and the same day to anyone in urgent need.

“The best way to help people pay their rent is to help them into work. We also know that over time people adjust to managing monthly payments, clearing any rent arrears, and making arrangements for their rent to paid directly to landlords.”

There are 590,000 people on Universal Credit in England and Wales, with around 50,000 new claims each month.