Ian Lavery MP, Member of Parliament for Wansbeck in Northumberland and Chair of the Labour Party has demanded the “immediate scrapping” of controversial benefit Universal Credit.

The system will worsen child poverty, increase homelessness and even lead to people taking their own lives, Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery has claimed.

Mr has called for an end to Universal Credit, predicting dire consequences for Northumberland if the rollout goes ahead.

His words come as one charity says it’s preparing for a huge spike in demand as Northumberland sees the full introduction of the controversial system, which rolls job seekers’ allowance, tax credits, housing benefit and income support into one payment, in November and December.

Previously one of the country’s “live service areas”, where the new benefit was first introduced to single unemployed people without children, while families and others awaited the full introduction, following changes to the system in January, Northumberland will now see Universal Credit introduced for almost everyone before the end of the year.

In November, the benefit will be fully introduced in Ashington, Berwick, Cramlington and Morpeth job centres.

By December, it will be introduced Alnwick, Bedlington, Blyth, and Hexham.

Mr Lavery said: “This political policy will lead to the deaths of people across the UK and in addition to worsening almost every social issue imaginable, from child poverty to increases in homelessness, I believe for the most vulnerable in our communities and especially those with mental health issues, I fear this cruel and callous decision will tip people over the edge.

“We are passed the point of no return and the only reasonable action is for Universal Credit to be immediately scrapped.”

Mr Lavery’s Northumberland Office Team are making arrangements to handle the rollout and have had several meetings with organisations in the local area to see how it can help people directly ahead of what he predicts will be a ‘devastating’ impact on local communities.

He is encouraging residents in the Wansbeck area to get in touch to be guided to the right place for support and assistance with Universal Credit, please email; ian.lavery.mp@parliament.uk / 01670852494