Labour in vote bid to expose Tory divisions on Universal Credit roll-out

LABOUR will seek to expose Tory divisions over Universal Credit by calling a House of Commons vote today to demand that controversial roll-out of the flagship benefit reform be paused.

Amid reports that up to 25 Tory MPs could be willing to rebel over criticism that people are waiting six weeks for any money and getting into debt, Labour will call on ministers to “pause and fix” the benefit.

Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke has insisted the roll-out of UC will continue, with the system tweaked so that claimants are offered advance payments upfront.

But after a dozen Tory MPs sent a letter to Mr Gauke urging him to pause the overhaul ahead of the Conservative Party conference earlier this month, Labour will hope to win a symbolic victory in an opposition day vote today.

Last month, Labour received backing from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which is propping up the minority government, in opposition day votes on NHS pay and tuition fee increases, which forced the Tories to abstain on the non-binding motions.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams said: “The government has so far not listened to MPs’ concerns about the mounting issues with their flagship social security programme. We must stand together to make our voices heard.

“I urge Conservative MPs to vote with their conscience and support our motion to pause the roll-out of Universal Credit.”

Meanwhile, Welsh MPs have joined forces to campaign for the UK government to halt the roll-out of Universal Credit.

In a joint letter Stephen Kinnock, Tonia Antoniazzi, Christina Rees, Carolyn Harris and Geraint Davies said: “Universal Credit (UC) is supposed to simplify and streamline the benefits system by putting Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Working Tax Credit into a single registration and payment mechanism.

“So far, so good. We have no problem in principle with anything that makes our welfare state and social security more effective and less complicated.

“But the proof, as always, is in the pudding. And the way in which the UK government has handled the set-up and roll-out of Universal Credit has been a total disaster, from start to finish.”