WOMEN are being particularly badly affected by the introduction of Universal Credit, a leading Welsh charity has claimed.

Gender equality organisation Chwarae Teg has also claimed Brexit could affect services for women more than men.

The rollout of Universal Credit, which was introduced in Newport earlier this month, has been marred with reports of long delays in payments, with many claimants having to wait weeks before receiving any money.

The charity’s chief executive Cerys Furlong said: “European structural funds are currently used for a wide range of services that support women in the workplace and those looking to re-enter the labour market.

“There is a danger that many of these services could be lost due to Brexit.

“At the same time greater pressure is being put on the unemployed and those working part-time by Universal Credit.

“Evidence from the roll-out of Universal Credit shows that women are experiencing a disproportionate negative impact.”

She said the charity was calling for the introduction of the new benefit to be paused so the problems could be dealt with.

“It is also crucial that the UK Government commits to ensuring that those services currently in receipt of European funding will continue to be funded and available beyond Brexit,” she said.

“Funding must remain redistributive so that the poorest areas benefit most and there is no worsening of economic inequalities.

“It’s also imperative that monies do not get locked in the UK Treasury but instead come direct to Wales.”

In Wednesday’s budget chancellor Philip Hammond announced a number of overhauls to Universal Credit, allowing claimants to take out advances on payments.