A COUNCIL has vowed to campaign to see the "disastrous" Universal Credit stopped so it does not impact on the "hardest pressed" Furness families.

Barrow Borough Council has pledged to support a national movement of campaigning to halt the government's controversial welfare reform. Universal Credit merges six means-tested working-age benefits into one payment and this system is being rolled out around the UK.

Universal Credit is paid in arrears and there are concerns around the six-week wait for payments increasing poverty, debt and then people facing eviction and homelessness.

Councillor Brendan Sweeney called on the local authority to get behind a campaign to overturn the system and said: "The Universal Credit is having an appalling impact. People are waiting six weeks to get money. We are seeing increased use of foodbanks and increased rent arrears. It is a deeply flawed system."

Councillor Anne Burns said: "What is this doing to hard-pressed families in the town? How are they supposed to feed their families and pay the rent?"

Cllr Burns said voices needed to be heard.

She said: "Stop the roll out of this disastrous policy.

"We have massive use of the foodbank. These are hard pressed families, they need to stop hurting people."

Councillor Dave Roberts said: "It has been a nightmare for so many people.

"I would hope the government will keep looking at this and make it more amenable."

Council leader, Councillor Dave Pidduck, said Barrow Borough Council would support the campaign and that it would do this through the Local Government Association.

Cllr Pidduck said: "What they are doing to welfare form is absolutely appalling, we will campaign."