THOUSANDS of households in South Lakeland could be affected by the introduction of a new benefits system.

At a meeting of Cumbria County Council's Local Committee for South Lakeland, South Lakes Citizens Advice manager Karen Evans said that 6,000 working households will be 'impacted' by the new Universal Credit.

"Where it has rolled out there is a severe delay in payments being made," she said. "So again increasing indebtedness."

She said that some people were waiting for up to 10 weeks to receive payments.

"10 weeks without an income makes a major impact," she said.

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people in or out of work. It replaces some of the pre-existing benefits and tax credits such as housing benefit, child tax credit, income support, working tax credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related employment and support allowance

And Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has called for the government to pause the roll out of Universal Credit.

In a letter written to the DWP secretary, David Gauke, Mr Farron has asked for the roll-out of Universal Credit to be put on hold until no one is left waiting more than six weeks for an income, those who need it get a payment within two weeks, claimants are able to access a minimum standard of support to help adaptation to the Universal Credit system and staff who handle Universal Credit helpline calls are fully trained in all aspects of its workings and are able to provide correct guidance to claimants

“I’m hugely concerned that Universal Credit is pushing people further into debt and putting an even greater strain on public services," he said.

However, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said that the department did not recognise the IT issues raised in the letter and that latest research showed that around 80 per cent of all new claims were paid in full and on time.

“Universal Credit lies at the heart of our commitment to help people improve their lives and raise their incomes," they said. "It does that by providing additional, tailored support not available under the old benefit system, including more help for those in work so they can eventually stop claiming benefits altogether, and under UC people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer than under the previous system.

“The vast majority of claimants are comfortable managing their money, and for anyone who needs extra help, we have budgeting advice and benefit advances. Continuing to rollout Universal Credit in a safe and controlled way will mean many more will benefit from moving into employment.”