Ministers prepare to cut benefits wait time

MINISTERS are preparing to announce plans to cut the wait time for Universal Credit as part of a significant climb-down expected in the Budget, The Daily Telegraph understands.

The change means claimants could wait four or five weeks to get their benefits, amid fears many would be affected over Christmas.

Asked about the changes Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, refused to rule-out cutting the wait time from six weeks last night, instead saying the Government will “continue to listen, to learn and to apply that learning”.

Theresa May had faced opposition from her own MPS over the policy, which switches claimants from a series of different benefits on to one payment.

Downing Street said yesterday that advance payments to people moving from the old system to Universal Credit have increased in recent months.

But some Conservative and Labour MPS had raised concerns about the six week wait, which had forced some to turn to food banks and led to fears of eviction for failing to pay rent.

Yesterday, during Prime Minister’s Questions, Jeremy Corbyn revealed that 350 tenants received eviction notices in advance of the roll out in his area.

Letting agent GAP Property informed tenants that they may be evicted due to rent arrears caused by the switch in North East Lincolnshire on Dec 13.