THE roll-out of Universal Credit has caused a significant increase in people requiring support, a councillor has claimed.

The service was fully rolled out in Blackburn with Darwen borough on February 14 and the local authority’s executive member for resources, Cllr Andy Kay, said demand for advice and support is far greater than originally indicated.

Figures released in January showed there were 2,820 people claiming the credit across the borough. Cllr Kay said since February there has been a large jump in the number of people needing help. Three council-funded posts were created in the Blackburn job centre to try to tackle the issue.

The scheme was introduced to help with living costs for people on a low income or out of work. It has replaced child tax credit, housing benefits, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and working tax credit.

Critics say claimants have to wait up to six weeks for their first payment and it puts people already struggling into debt. But government officials say the programme is more effective in helping people find work than the previous system.

Cllr Kay said: “Despite the so called “efficient” service, and to improve the coordination between the council, the DWP and claimants on Universal Credit issues, three council funded posts have been co-located in the DWP office (two of our own customer service staff and resources from Shelter).

“Whilst it is still early days in the roll out, the number of individuals and families requiring support with debt and budgeting advice has increased significantly beyond that which was originally indicated to the council. The council will continue to monitor the impact of Universal Credit and will report back to members and the management board on a regular basis.

“Because of the lack of support from DWP to claimants, we will continue to give support to claimants in whatever way we can so that any negative impact on their lives is minimised as far as possible.”

Universal Credit is paid directly to one person in the household each month and can only be claimed online.

Rent, which is included in the Universal Credit payment, has become the responsibility of the claimant to pay their landlord.

Single people and couples with no dependent children can apply for the new credit if they meet all the criteria set by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The issue will be discussed at a council forum meeting on Thursday.