LABOUR took a swipe today at the government’s “hugely embarrassing” delay in the full roll-out of its punitive universal credit (UC) scheme.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Margaret Greenwood was one of many MPs to criticise the benefits reform system that has pushed households into debt and rent arrears, making millions of families turn to foodbanks.

Full implementation of the system is yet again being delayed to 2024, adding £500 million to its overall cost. It was meant to be fully live by April 2017.