PEOPLE moving to the full Universal Credit system once it is introduced in Newport next month could face waiting until after Christmas for their first payment, an MP has said.

The new system, which has recently caused controversy, with widespread reports of delays in making payments, is due to be introduced in the city on Wednesday, November 15.

People on the system, which replaces Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Working Tax Credit with a single monthly payment, are required to wait six weeks before their first payment.

And speaking in Parliament earlier this week, Newport East MP Jessica Morden said she was seriously concerned about the impact on people in the city.

"Given the six-week waiting period, my constituents will be lucky to receive their payment on the day after Boxing Day if it is on time, and not until the new year if it is not," she said.

"No payments before Christmas will mean real hardship, and any payment received will be used to survive and to pay for food and heating, which by then, after six weeks with no income, will be a greater priority than paying rent."

Although some claimants are being offered advances before the first payment is made, Ms Morden said she was concerned this was not an adequate solution.

"People are being put into debt immediately," she said.

"If half the number of new claimants have to rely on advance payments, the system is clearly wrong."

Torfaen and Islwyn MPs Nick Thomas-Symonds and Chris Evans have also called for the introduction of the new system to be put on hold.

And, speaking in the Senedd earlier this week, Newport West AM Jayne Bryant called for the six-week waiting period to be reviewed.

Meanwhile communities and children secretary Carl Sargeant said he was "deeply concerned" about the impact of the change and Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM Steffan Lewis called for a dedicated fund to be set up to support people hit by the changes.

For full details on the introduction of Universal Credit in Newport visit http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/15607457.BEHIND_THE_HEADLINES__Universal_Credit___the_roll_out_continues/