New figures show that thousands of households in Carlisle remain on legacy benefits despite the Government's intention for Universal Credit rollout by 2024.

The figures, from House of Commons library, estimate 6,344 households in Carlisle were claiming Universal Credit in February after being transferred from legacy benefits, while an estimated 3,719 remained on the old system - meaning 37 per cent of those on benefits within Carlisle remain on older-style benefits such as Employment Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseekers allowance.

34 per cent of households remain on legacy benefits despite the rollout towards Universal Credit starting in 2013.

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A debt charity, StepChange, have raised worries that many claimants will be pushed into further financial difficulty by having to wait more than a month for their first UC payment, following a move from the traditional legacy style benefits.

Ed McDonagh, senior public policy advocate, said: "Overall, Universal Credit can work to support people, but it also has features that can cause real hardship and can actually worsen people’s debt as they try to work around them."

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That being said however, there is currently an initiative implemented to thwart the difficulties arriving from the shifting of income methods.

The Universal Credit (UC) transitional protection allows for an extra 'transitional' amount which tops up your Universal Credit award so that you are not substantially worse off when you move onto Universal Credit payments.

The Transitional protection is open to those who have moved over to Universal Credit even though nothing has happened which makes them start a new benefit claim and those who were eligible for the Severe Disability Premium.

Whilst there is a five-week wait on for applicants awaiting their first UC payment, claimants will have the ability to apply for an advance loan, of which is paid back each month over a two-year period.

Households still on legacy benefits also missed out on the £20 uplift to Universal Credit introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.

Across the UK, 4.8 million households were claiming Universal Credit in February- making up for 66 per cent of the total number receiving benefits.

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