Universal credit: Benefits shake-up a 'damp squib'

The government's overhaul of the benefits system will not tackle the "soaring social security budget", the shadow work and pensions secretary has claimed.

The universal credit, which merges several benefits and tax credits into one monthly payout, comes into effect on Monday for a small number of new claimants in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, before being rolled out across the UK over four years.

Liam Byrne said the move was "a very small measure being delivered very late in the day".