Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the High Court ruling on Universal Credit deductions, said:

“This is a welcome judgement on a frankly absurd policy that disproportionately pursued those with very little means, just at the point they had begun to turn their life around.

“Universal Credit deductions and the five-week wait for payments have been a disaster – forcing people already struggling to get by into debt and destitution.

“Labour would replace Universal Credit with a fair and compassionate system that offers security to all.”