South Hams joined the nationwide rollout of Universal Credit last month as local Labour Party members met with the government minister in charge of the new benefit for working-age people to demand a rethink.

The controversial single monthly payment for people in or out of work replaces six separate benefits. These include Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Under the new system payments for all six elements will be made in a single monthly payment.

The system was supposed to be up and running by April 2017, but it has been beset by problems. On Tuesday, there were reports of further delays and the rollout is now not expected to be complete until December 2023.

MP Sarah Wollaston said: “I am glad that the minister with responsibility for Universal Credit, Alok Sharma MP, came to visit Totnes job centre to meet the team.

“There are also advantages to UC compared to the complex system it replaces for many of those who are on benefits. The right way forward is not to scrap UC but make sure that it can be as effective as possible and that it is properly funded.

“I have joined calls for the Chancellor to restore the work allowances for single-parent families and second earners with children to the levels that were set pre-2015.

“This would help to boost the incomes for 9.6m low-income parents and deal with many of the concerns raised.

“I also raised an issue that has been raised with me by self-employed artists who are concerned about the impact of UC.

“This is written in advance of this week’s debate, where I hope to hear further details of a delay in moving families from the exiting system until there is more funding to prevent a drop in income.”

Cllr Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council’s executive portfolio holder for Customer First, welcomed the move to universal credit, saying it would “enable us to provide a consistent unified service to everyone who applies”.

However, Totnes and South Devon Labour Party demanded that the Government pause the rollout in the South Hams and Teignbridge district council areas until issues with the new benefit, which they say is causing hardship for families, disabled people and people starting up in business, are resolved.

Representatives of its disability and benefits working group held a meeting in Totnes with Mr Sharma together with Sarah Wollaston earlier this month.

Cllr Louise Webberley, Laurel Ellis, Colin Luker and Celia Minoughan, asked Alok Sharma to abolish the rule limiting child allowances to two children in any family, to restore the Severe Disability Premium and permitted work for those on disability benefits, and to review the present policy on self-employment and universal credit.

Lynn Alderson, chair of Totnes and South Devon Labour Party, said “While the minister was unable to accede to our requests, we met with the Department for Work and Pensions liaison officer, the manager of the local job centre, the manager of Citizens Advice South Hams, and senior job centre staff. We will continue to monitor and lobby to pause and fix Universal Credit.”

The idea of Universal Credit is that it can be claimed by people who are in and out of work. Unlike with the previous system, there is no limit to the numbers of hours you can work as the payment gradually decreases as you earn more.

Janie Moore, of Citizens Advice South Hams, said: “Many people who are transitioning on to Universal Credit will find the move a huge change. I would urge anyone who experiences difficulties with the new system to contact us, especially if they have problems receiving the benefits, budgeting or if they face a sanction and need to challenge it.”

Contact Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444, email www.southhamscab.org.uk or visit the weekly drop-in sessions.