A PEMBROKESHIRE Assembly Member has said she is ashamed of her own party over the delay in payment when applying for the new Universal Credit.

Universal Credit – the Government’s new plan for six benefits including Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to be received in a single monthly payment – is rolling out across the UK.

Pembrokeshire is expected to ‘go-live’ with Universal Credit from Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Cardigan JobcentrePlus offices in May 2018.

Many people have been left struggling by the in-built six week delay in applying for, assessing and receiving the “in arrears payment”.

South Pembrokeshire AM Angela Burns has said she is "ashamed" of the Government with regards the delay in receiving payments.

In an email seen by ITV Cymru Wales political editor Adrian Masters the Conservative AM states: "I have to say to you all that I think this position is indefensible and if I’m challenged I will say so. For the life of me I cannot understand why a 6 or 4 week gap is deemed acceptable. It should be a seamless transition and it’s not beyond the wit of man to make it so. I’m all for UC and I agree the benefits system should be overhauled and people paid appropriately but this cavalier attitude that the poorest can muddle through is callous at best and downright cruel at worst. I’m ashamed of my Government."

The email is understood to have been mistakenly sent to all Conservative AMs and staff before it was shown to Mr Masters.

A local charity supporting those facing financial difficulties, PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship), has criticised the delay in receiving payments and has already seen people referred to its food bank because of the system.

"We have already seen an increase in referrals due to UC. Proud people that hate having to use us. Not only is it putting people in poverty (or further poverty) it's taking away dignity as well.

I have no problem with UC, it's the huge wait that is the issue," stated the charity earlier this month.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said there was "no question" that Universal Credit was a better type of benefit as it "actually encourages people to take up jobs and increase their hours rather than penalising them for wanting to work”.

“But, as with every benefit that requires assessment and processing, the time lag between a claim being made and money being sent out will be a problem for some claimants. My own view is that six weeks is just too long for many claimants. But Ministers are currently looking at this to see if it can be reduced. I have had very few complaints about UC locally but it is early days in the roll-out,” he added.

Regional AM Eluned Morgan has criticised South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart and Mr Crabb for not voting to “pause and fix” Universal Credit at a debate tabled by Labour on October 18.

It aimed to stop the six week wait for the poorest families.

Mrs Morgan said: “Given what we have seen elsewhere there is a real concern amongst organisations like the Citizens Advice Bureau and the foodbanks operating locally that those in the greatest need will become even poorer.

“An estimated 10,500 people will move onto Universal Credit in Preseli Pembs by the middle of next year with a further 9,500 affected in South Pembrokeshire and West Carmarthenshire. The vote was an opportunity to take stock and to introduce measures to protect people and I’m proud my Labour colleagues are addressing this issue."