Tories let the North suffer in roll-out of new regime

NORTHERNERS are being hit hardest by the cruel welfare shake-up.

The roll-out of Universal Credit to the North first has led to more than double the number of benefits sanctions than in the South, says Labour.

MP Stephanie Peacock said: “The North is bearing the brunt of a policy that the Tories have delayed imposing on their own constituencies.”

Statistics compiled for Labour show the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber had 41% of all sanctions applied, with 194,564 northerners being hit.

The House of Commons Library figures show more than double the proportion were hit than in the South.

The Department for Work and Pensions said due to the roll-out schedule, the North West “obviously” has more claimants. “Sanctions are rare and the proportion being sanctioned has halved in the last year.”