A PROTEST was held in the city centre over the roll-out of controversial benefit changes in the area.

People claiming welfare benefits in Worcester will move onto Universal Credit in October.

The new benefit combines child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, and working tax credit into one monthly payment.

Unite Community held a demonstration against Universal Credit outside the Guildhall this morning.

The union said the benefit leads to debt, with claimants facing long waits to receive it.

Liane Groves, head of Unite Community, said: “Universal Credit is creating a hostile environment for people who claim it and is not fit for purpose and should be stopped.

“Despite knowing that Universal Credit causes serious problems for those claiming it the government is ploughing ahead regardless while claimants are descending further into debt, relying on food banks and getting into rent arrears and in many cases are being evicted from their homes.

“In order to claim Universal Credit claimants need an internet connection which many simply can’t afford.

“Unite is demanding a cut in the long waits to receive money, for people to be able to apply in job centres, not just online, better help for people when the system fails, landlords to be paid directly to avoid people getting into rent arrears and losing their homes, an end to benefit sanctions for people in and out of work.”

However a spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “Universal Credit lies at the heart of our commitment to help people improve their lives and under Universal Credit people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer compared to the previous system.

“We’ve made significant improvements to Universal Credit, such as removing the seven waiting days, paying two weeks’ extra housing support for claimants moving onto Universal Credit and increasing advance payments to 100 per cent.

"Landlords can also apply to have rent paid directly to them if their tenants are in arrears. Universal Credit is being rolled out to jobcentres in a safe and secure way and our jobcentres continue to work closely with local stakeholders so people get the support they need.”

Universal Credit will also be rolled out in Malvern in September.