THE roll-out of the widely criticised universal credit (UC) benefit scheme could be put on hold after Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd claimed today that her department has “particular concerns … about the most vulnerable in society.”

Her suggestion that the shake-up could be suspended while problems are fixed came after Labour MP Rosie Duffield, a member of the work and pensions select committee, told Ms Rudd that the panel has evidence showing that late UC payments and consequent financial hardship were causing women to be driven into prostitution.

Ms Rudd responded that these cases should be reduced by claimants getting money earlier, adding: “I believe that, overall, women will be winners from universal credit.”