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| PMQs: Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn in universal credit clash | PMQs: Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn in universal credit clash |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Theresa May has defended the expansion of the government's flagship welfare reform as Jeremy Corbyn said it was increasing poverty and homelessness. | Theresa May has defended the expansion of the government's flagship welfare reform as Jeremy Corbyn said it was increasing poverty and homelessness. |
| The PM said the government was listening to concerns about universal credit and said it was getting more people into work. | |
| During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Corbyn urged her to "wake up to reality" and pause the rollout. | During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Corbyn urged her to "wake up to reality" and pause the rollout. |
| And he called it "absurd" that calls to the helpline cost up to 55p a minute. | And he called it "absurd" that calls to the helpline cost up to 55p a minute. |
| Universal credit, which merges six working-age benefits into a single payment, is being introduced in 50 job centres across the UK every month. | Universal credit, which merges six working-age benefits into a single payment, is being introduced in 50 job centres across the UK every month. |
| It is paid in arrears, and there have been complaints about the six-week wait for payments, with almost a quarter of claimants waiting for longer because of delays in the system. | It is paid in arrears, and there have been complaints about the six-week wait for payments, with almost a quarter of claimants waiting for longer because of delays in the system. |
| In the leaders' first clash since Parliament returned from party conference season, Mr Corbyn said the reform was "driving up poverty, debt and homelessness", with people facing eviction due to a shortage of cash. | In the leaders' first clash since Parliament returned from party conference season, Mr Corbyn said the reform was "driving up poverty, debt and homelessness", with people facing eviction due to a shortage of cash. |
| It was "irresponsible to press on regardless", he said, also urging the PM to "show some humanity" and make the helpline - which costs between 3p and 55p a minute from a mobile phone - free of charge. | It was "irresponsible to press on regardless", he said, also urging the PM to "show some humanity" and make the helpline - which costs between 3p and 55p a minute from a mobile phone - free of charge. |
| Mrs May said the government was building a welfare system that provided a safety net for those who need it and which also helps people to get into the workplace and earn more. | Mrs May said the government was building a welfare system that provided a safety net for those who need it and which also helps people to get into the workplace and earn more. |
| Responding to questions about payment delays, she said more people were receiving advances which are available to those in need, adding that the government would continue to monitor the roll-out. | Responding to questions about payment delays, she said more people were receiving advances which are available to those in need, adding that the government would continue to monitor the roll-out. |
| The previous system put in place by the Labour government of 1997 to 2010 was "far too complicated" and left many people better off on benefits, she added. | The previous system put in place by the Labour government of 1997 to 2010 was "far too complicated" and left many people better off on benefits, she added. |
| Conservative MP Heidi Allen also quizzed the PM on universal credit, saying the six-week delay "just doesn't work". | Conservative MP Heidi Allen also quizzed the PM on universal credit, saying the six-week delay "just doesn't work". |
| Mrs May agreed to have a meeting with Ms Allen. | Mrs May agreed to have a meeting with Ms Allen. |