THE latest delay in implementing a controversial new benefits system has been met with "a sign of relief" by members of the Barrow community, according to a prominent disability charity.

Universal Credit was due to be rolled out in Barrow in July but is now being pushed back until December to allow the revenues and benefits service to be brought back in house.

Julie Everett, benefits adviser at Barrow and District Disability Association (BDDA) believes the changes will have a significant impact on many people across the borough.

The 51-year-old said: "I think people will have a big sigh of relief that it has been pushed back. First it was April, then July, now December.

"It's going to impact hugely our client group because we have a high level of vulnerable clients.

"We think initially everyone will struggle as each person doesn't know how these changes will affect them, they don't know how much time a person will need to get used to them."

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Miss Everett and her team at the BDDA received training on the changes last year but will be attending a refresher course in May, because of the continuous delays.

Having previously worked as an adviser at the job centre and Age UK, Miss Everett has significant experience in helping those entitled to benefits obtain them.

She added: "In the last five years I have seen more changes with the introduction of PIP and Universal Credit then I've seen in my whole career."

Speaking about the delays, councillor Brendan Sweeney said: "We approached the DWP as our revenues and benefits service will come back in house in October.

"We want to make sure we are doing everything we can at our end and we will be watching out for people with it being near to Christmas."

Cllr Sweeney also defended the new in-house system which will take effect on October 1, once the current contract with Liberata UK ends.

He added: "We want to make sure we are doing a good job and I think this will give us more flexibility and will save us more money in the long term."

A total of 21 job centres have now experienced delays including a number of centres in Scotland and Wales, Middlesborough

Employment minister Alok Sharma said: "The implementation of Universal Credit continues to make good progress and the full service is now operating in 250 jobcentres and we expect to complete national coverage as planned by December 2018."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said that the move should not be seen as a delay, but an adjustment to the schedule so the service could be rolled out as smoothly as possible.

They added: “We continue to rollout Universal Credit in a safe and controlled way and the expected completion date remains the same.

“Any changes to the rollout schedule are carefully considered and allow us to work as effectively as possible with local authorities and stakeholders to deliver Universal Credit.”

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a payment which helps with living costs and is paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

People who are on a low income or out of work could claim for it but this depends on where you live and on your circumstances.

If you are already in receipt of Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Working Tax Credit you will soon switch to Universal Credit, which will replace your current benefit(s).

Universal Credit has been being introduced across the UK in various stages, to ensure a smoother transition for recipients.

You don’t need to do anything until you hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving to Universal Credit, unless you have a change in circumstances.