NOW Parliament is back following the conference season, proceedings have been in part dominated by calls to pause the roll out of Universal Credit – calls which I have joined and wholeheartedly support on behalf of constituents being moved to this benefit.

 Universal Credit is the Government’s new monthly payment which is meant to support people on a low income or out of work, replacing six existing benefits: income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support. 

Since June 2015, rollout in Newport has only included very limited groups of people, but in November will be available to all new claims including families with children. In Caldicot this will happen in March. 

Whilst everyone would welcome simplifying the benefits system and making work pay, the problem comes with its implementation.

Nationally what we have seen in areas with full roll out is that rent arrears, food poverty and in-work poverty have all increased.

Some people are waiting up to 12 weeks for their first payment with 57 per cent of applicants having to borrow money before their first payment. 

Following pressure, the Government conceded and people will now have better access to an advance, but this is a loan to be paid back. 

It’s clear that people aren’t getting the help when they need it and as Jeremy Corbyn pointed out at PMQs, for those 30 per cent of people who have had to make 10 or more calls to a helpline to sort out their claim, the cost is up to 55p per minute. 

I know DWP staff locally are doing what they can to help but as the PCS union who represent DWP staff have said, it is unacceptable that they will have to deliver an untested and failing system to some of the most vulnerable people in society. 

I will continue to raise this with ministers on behalf of constituents, but as we look ahead to Christmas the Government need to stop and look again. 

Thousands of local steelworkers past and present who are part of the British steel pension scheme will now be receiving notification of the new options agreed by the pensions regulator.  

Information packs are being sent out, and many will have received them already. 

Member meetings will be held nationwide, including in Newport, and a member hotline has been set up for free impartial advice.

The Trustees are asking members to confirm their choice by December 11.  

For more information go to www.bspensionschoose.com or call 0800 043 8341.