Top Tory warns Universal Credit could see Jeremy Corbyn get keys to No10 – as 20 MPs could be at risk
UNIVERSAL Credit could hand Jeremy Corbyn the keys to No10, a top Tory warned today as new data revealed TWENTY seats might be at risk.
Leading backbencher Johnny Mercer said bungling the benefits system could see voters boot the Tories from office.
His comments come after The Sun Online crunched the numbers to pinpoint exactly where the new welfare system could put the Conservatives most at risk in a snap election.
The list includes ex-Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Tory Chairman Brandon Lewis.
Mercer, who has been an outspoken critic of the new system, today said: "This is exactly the sort of policy we need to be getting right.
"But get it wrong and with our inabilities elsewhere at the moment, it’s the sort of thing that could cost us an election."
He added that the Tories' welfare policy should represent a "modern compassionate Conservative party committed to careful and caring, but fair, social reform."
The Tories’ flagship benefits programme is being slowly rolled out across the country - and millions more are set to be transferred next year.
But the controversial new system has already been beset with problems, from Brits waiting months for their first payment to claims it could even be driving women to prostitution as they faced drastic cuts to their incomes.
The Sun Online crunched the numbers of how many Brits are on the new Universal Credit system in each MP's constituency - and compared it to the majorities each politician has there.
Although there's no direct correlation between being on Universal Credit and voting choice - the data shows that the sheer amounts of people being rolled out in marginal constituencies could put the Tories in trouble.
In Amber Rudd’s Hasting’s constituency she has a majority of just over 300 - insisting on several recounts in last year’s snap election.
But there are more than 6,500 households already on Universal Credit as of August, which could prove a threat to her seat.
And in Brandon Lewis’ constituency of Great Yarmouth, there are almost 8,000 Brits already on the new system.
Even his 7,973 majority could be at risk if Brits revolted over it in a snap election.
Tory Vice Chair Tom Pursglove’s seat could be at risk too - alongside other MPs on small majorities Theresa Villiers and Zac Goldsmith.
Last week Sir John Major made similar warnings - saying the Tories would be in "deep political trouble" if they made cuts that were seen as unfair - and the issue could become the new poll tax.
MPs who could be at risk from a Universal Credit backlash
Amber Rudd
Royston Smith
David Morris
Jackie Doyle-Price
Craig Whittaker
Stephen Kerr
Robert Buckland
Trudy Harrison
Tom Pursglove
Bill Grant
Zac Goldsmith
Theresa Villiers
Chris Green
Derek Thomas
Jack Brereton
Richard Harrington
Kirstene Hair
Matthew Offord
Brandon Lewis
Stephen Crabb
The news comes after it was revealed this morning that ministers are planning to delay the rollout of the benefits system so they can make major changes which will help those on Universal Credit.
Leaked documents reveal that Brits could get paid for an extra two weeks to stop them going into debt when going onto the new system.
Testing was meant to start in January, and 95,000 people each month were set to be told to move across. Now ministers are set to use the time to fix problems in the system - but the programme won't be halted or scrapped.
The documents also revealed that more help would be given to the self employed, and that the advance payments will be spread out and paid back over a longer amount of time.
Last weekend ministers were forced to deny they were planning an emergency election if Theresa May’s deal fails to get passed in the Commons.
Steven Saxby - Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster, told The Sun Online that he’s seen people in his area who are “terrified” about going on to Universal Credit - and the issue could win Labour seats.
“Universal Credit isn’t working for most people, it’s a slap in the face for poor and vulnerable working families in areas like Westminster,” he said.
“It’s better to scrap it - people associate this toxic brand with something that’s cruel and harmful.”
Ministers have insisted no one will be worse off going on to the new system when it’s rolled out for people who are on the old benefits next year.
Those on housing benefit, child tax credits and job seekers’ allowance will be made to go onto Universal Credit in the coming months.
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
If you are experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover it, here are your options:
Apply for an advance - Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit pay out.
Alternative Payment Arrangements- If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently , or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.
Budgeting Advance - You may be able to get help from the government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
Cut your Council Tax - You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your payments aren't enough to cover your rent.
Foodbanks - If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
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The new system aims to simply the Department for Work and Pensions, and give all claimants one single monthly payment.
But Tory MPs are already rebelling about the rollout - after it emerged that millions could be £200 a month worse off after the switch.
The Government has promised £3 billion worth of transitional protections, but it’s not known how long that cash will last.
A group of MPs - led by architect of Universal Credit, Iain Duncan Smith, wants Philip Hammond to plough an extra £2billion into the system in the upcoming Budget to offset the cuts introduced by George Osborne.
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