Disability campaigners in the north of England are raising money to help local communities bracing themselves for the government’s latest benefits overhaul.

Ahead of the rollout of the universal credit benefits cut, Disabled People Against Cuts Sheffield announced yesterday that it was on a fundraising drive to help vulnerable people.

The group is aiming to raise £2,000, to give training to community volunteers who will help those on low wages, lone-parent families, the elderly and disabled people.

The group said: “We support Labour’s call to halt the rollout, but in the meantime we must arm ourselves and each other against this threat to our class.”

Debt charity Citizen’s Advice has also backed Labour calls for problems with universal credit to be fixed before it is rolled out further.

It warned that one in 10 of those switching to it were waiting over 10 weeks for their first payment and many were put at greater risk of being evicted due to arrears.