MPs have backed calls for the Government to reduce the standard waiting time for Universal Credit from six weeks to a month.

Senior Labour MP Frank Field said the motion had been passed unanimously and called on Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke to address Parliament on Monday.

The vote came in a backbench business debate led by Mr Field, is non-binding on ministers and was not contested by the Government.

The debate saw fresh angst among some Tory MPs over the flagship welfare reform, with some supporting the reduction in waiting time.

Media reports this week suggested the move was being considered by ministers and an announcement would be made in the coming days.

Welfare minister Damian Hinds told MPs that Universal Credit was the biggest modernisation of the benefits system in a generation and he was determined to get its rollout right.

Speaking after the vote, Mr Field said: "The whole House has unanimously asked the Government to move, and that's what I want the Secretary of State to address on Monday."

Earlier Mr Field, the chairman of the Work and Pensions select committee, branded Universal Credit a "national scandal" condemning people to the brink of destitution.

"The six-week wait for payment is the main force pushing people to no food, risking everything and on the brink of destitution," he said.

"The great architect of this reform (Iain Duncan Smith) ... couldn't ever, ever, ever have envisaged that this is where a reform of noble intent should actually end, in this personal nightmare for our constituents."

Tory MP Heidi Allen, a frequent critic of the Government on welfare, called for compassionate Conservatism and said reducing the six-week waiting time was her top priority for reform.

"The reputation of this place has hit rock bottom again in recent weeks. Let's turn it around," said the South Cambridgeshire MP.

Tory backbencher Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar) said the wait for the initial payment should be reduced as a "matter of urgency".

Conservative Chris Green (Bolton West), meanwhile, said he did not agree with pausing its rollout but added: "I'm equally clear the initial wait must come down from six weeks to one month."

Mr Hinds said Universal Credit would boost employment for 250,000 people when fully implemented and was being rolled out at a measured pace.

"It's the biggest modernisation of the welfare state in a generation," he added.

"It is a lot of change. A new benefit, a new IT system, a new operational system, new ways of working with partners and yes, that does bring with it some challenges.

"We will continue to work with claimants, with stakeholders and partners, with honourable and right honourable members across the House to resolve these challenges as they arise and improve Universal Credit as it is introduced across the country."