Universal Credit users could be given HUNDREDS more under new proposals

BRITS moving onto Universal Credit should keep ALL of their existing benefits for an extra two weeks under new proposals to help ease the lengthy wait.

And Brits who are already on the system shouldn't all have to make a fresh application or face getting their payments cut altogether, influential MPs on the Work and Pensions committee said.

Ministers are considering how best to move millions of Brits from the old benefits system to the new one.

They will vote within weeks on their rules on how best to do this - but some are calling for that vote to be delayed so there's enough time to fix vital issues.

They said in a fresh report that there must be an additional two week payment for those on Universal Credit to help ease the pain. 

And they said there should be NO five-week wait for those who transfer over, and anyone who the DWP already have the information for should not have to apply again.

At the moment Brits are entitled to two weeks of extra help with their housing payments, making the wait for their next sum effectively three weeks.

Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed in the Budget that this will be extended to people on JSA and ESA - but not until 2020.

That still means anyone on tax credits won't get the extra two weeks of help.

Committee chair Frank Field said of the Universal Credit changes: "The Committee’s main proposals seek to ensure that the risk of moving claimants from the old system of benefits onto Universal Credit lies with the Government and not on the shoulders of poorer people.

"The Government is thankfully making and then remaking its policy on how best to transfer existing claimants onto Universal Credit.

"It would be a pity if the Government undermined this new way of thinking by not giving Parliament and SSAC enough time to comment on its latest changes before it pushes Parliament into a vote."

The new system, which replaces six benefits with one, is being rolled out across the country - and will be in every area by the end of the year for new claimants.

But it's been beset with problems and Brits say it's forcing them into debt and they never have any idea how much they will be getting.

One single mum said she was forced to take £30 for sex work just to make ends meet while she waited for her benefits to come through.

The new DWP boss Amber Rudd has vowed to "fix" problems with the benefit system - and has even hinted she could slash the five week wait for payments.

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