Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to today’s PAC hearing on the Universal Credit, said,

“David Cameron’s flagship project is now in total chaos.

"Parliament’s watchdog has blown apart yet another cover-up by Iain Duncan Smith who it seems has tried to hide further write-offs on his disaster-hit Universal Credit project. We’re now told there was no ministerial accountability and financial control was so weak that secretaries were signing huge purchase orders.

"Iain Duncan Smith must now come to the Commons and explain why he tried to hide this from MPs last week. And he must now publish the damning report by his auditors PWC.

"As usual with David Cameron’s out of touch Government they try and blame everyone but themselves. We must get to the truth ministers are trying to hide. It’s now clear ministers, not officials got this wrong.”