Stephen Timms MP, Labour’s Acting Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to figures showing the cost of Universal Credit has increased to £15.8 billion, said:

“These new figures from the government’s Major Projects Authority have shown how wrong Iain Duncan Smith is to claim Universal Credit is ‘on time and on budget’. Universal Credit costs have risen by £3 billion despite only 65,000 people claiming Universal Credit. It will take 495 years to fully roll out Universal Credit at the current rate.

“The government should call in the National Audit Office to review urgently the management of Universal Credit to deliver greater value for money for taxpayers and clamp down on the endless delays.”