THE full implementation of Universal Credit in Slough will not be paused, despite the council pleading with the Government to delay it.

The new Universal Credit system is intended to bring multiple benefits, such as housing benefit and child tax credit, into a single system. The Government claims the new system will make benefits fairer and simpler, allowing them to be slowly withdrawn as claimants re-enter work rather than abruptly stopped. However, critics have raised serious concerns over the amount of time it takes for payments to arrive – which can be as long as six weeks – and that people under Universal Credit are being granted less than they were before.

Currently, the Universal Credit benefit system is only partially in place in Slough, applying only to certain groups like single adults and couples without children. The full introduction will continue as planned, currently scheduled for February, 2018.

At a recent full meeting of Slough Borough Council, Labour members heaped criticism on the new scheme, which they say has left vulnerable people without access to the support they desperately need. Cllr Preston Brooker (Lab) said: “This Universal Credit is a truly evil invention of the Conservative government.

“It’s up to six weeks before you get the money, and that’s if they get your case right. We don’t want people to go to loan sharks just to eat.”

Cllr Wayne Strutton (Con) argued that the problems with Universal Credit lay in its implementation, not the system itself. He said: “If it’s so evil, why do you want to wait and change it, instead of scrapping it completely? The problem is that Universal Credit is often implemented in a very draconian way. People who contest cases often win. We’re not working effectively enough with our partners to ensure change. We need to write a letter to get our MP to work with us on this.”

The Labour Group passed a motion to write to the government and ask for its implementation to be delayed until issues are addressed. However, the government has decided to press ahead regardless.

Speaking to the Observer about the decision, Cllr Brooker said: “There’s research to show that this system will plunge half a million people into poverty. These people are working people – the welfare state was supposed to be set up to provide a safety harness.”

Cllr Amarpreet S Dhaliwal (Con) said: “Overall I agree with the system – as always, the issue is in its implementation. The government does recognise the issues, and must address them before the full roll-out.”