THIRSK and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake has raised concerns in Parliament about how the payment system for the troubled Universal Credit (UC) rollout is affecting his constituents.

Mr Hollinrake sought confirmation from Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd that steps are being taken to ensure that people receive support at the right time.

He said: “Some of my constituents get paid on four-weekly cycles. This, of course, means that they can get paid twice in the same month and therefore appear to be earning more than they actually do.”

In response, Ms Rudd said that the Government has “updated the guidance” for UC so that job centre “work coaches” can ensure that, where the situation occurs, “appropriate adjustments are made”.

The reassurance came off the back of an announcement that the next stage of the rollout has been postponed. MPs were to vote on whether to expand UC in the next few weeks, but this vote has been delayed in favour of a small trial.

Mr Hollinrake said: “I am delighted that Mrs Rudd has listened to concerns and I think that is an example of good governance.

“UC is a modern benefit based on the sound principles that work should always pay and those who need support receive it. I have always made it clear that my door is always open to constituents with particular issues and I will do everything I can to help them.”

A spokesman for Thirsk & Malton Labour said: “It was right of Kevin Hollinrake to raise his concerns last week about the effects that the introduction of the UC system is having. The Government backtrack on the further introduction of the scheme is indicative of the problems it is having. This is not only teething problems with how the benefits are paid but the complicated method of applying and the arbitrary way that decisions are made into who is able to be paid benefits.

“Our welfare state was founded on the assumption that no one in this country would go hungry, lack a roof over their heads or need fear illness or old age. How far we have come from those ideals is witnessed by the homeless on our streets, working people having to rely on food banks to feed their children and the continuing underfunding of our health and education services.”