Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to reports in tomorrow’s Financial Times of senior Whitehall sources warning that Universal Credit must start delivering results by the next election or risk being “drastically scaled back or even abandoned” said:
 
“There are now serious questions whether the Government has the capability or commitment to deliver Universal Credit.
 
“David Cameron and Iain Duncan Smith promised Universal Credit would be ‘on time and on budget’, yet millions have been squandered and the project has suffered endless delays. Francis Maude, Tory Minister for the Cabinet Office, has called the roll out of Universal Credit ‘lamentable’.
 
“It’s time for ministers finally to get a grip of their flagship welfare reform and end the waste and delays which are costing taxpayers millions.”