A LIFELINE service offering guidance and support to Universal Credit claimants has been launched.

Citizens Advice Bureau has introduced a Universal Credit service which offers guidance, information and full support to claimants across Barrow.

The service, which is based at Ramsden Hall in Abbey Road, Barrow provides use of a secure computer as well as trained advisors ensuring every claim is successfully completed.

Since Universal Credit’s roll-out last December, there has been a notable rise in claimants in five of Cumbria’s six districts, with Barrow and Carlisle seeing the biggest increase of 2.7 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively.

Barrow mayor, Cllr Bill McEwan, supports the launch of the new benefits service.

He said: “I am 100 per cent behind this service. I think it’s absolutely fantastic as there are a lot of people out there who rely on this benefits system and don’t understand how to use it.

“Barrow Borough Council are brilliant in helping people fill out forms and go through the minefield that is Universal Credit.

“It’s a service which has got to be more accessible to people.

“A lot of people get really anxious about filling in these forms which can cause a lot of mental stress so it’s really good this has been introduced.”

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “It is good the Universal Credit support service has finally been rolled out nationwide but this extra help alone will not be enough to fix the grave problems with this system.

“The whole principle of UC, streamlining the benefits system to replicate the world of work, is completely null and void when people are forced to seek expert help simply to make their initial claim.

“Staff at Citizens Advice Barrow and the job centre are dedicated to helping claimants but it is up to the work and pensions secretary herself to act on the fundamental concerns she has rightly conceded exist with the system.”

The service is open from Monday to Friday 9am until 4pm.

Alternatively residents can call them free on 08001 448 444.