UNIVERSAL credit is set to be rolled out across Burnley from next month.

The borough council’s executive committee has been advised by council officers to adopt the scheme at a meeting tomorrow.

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The means tested benefit for people of working age will replace other benefits including income support, working tax credit, child tax credit, and housing benefits.

The other benefits affected are income-based job seekers allowance and income-based employment support allowance.

Sections of the scheme have already been piloted across the country after the government acknowledged that the scale and rick associated with the major reform was large.

After the roll out, benefits will be paid with a single, monthly household payment.

A council spokesman said: “The impact on Burnley’s claimants will be quite minimal in the early days as Universal Credit will only apply to brand new claims from single people with no housing costs.

“The aim is to add in more complex cases, couples and families and housing costs etc over a longer period of time.

“Some support will be needed, particularly for vulnerable claimants to adapt to these changes.”

Universal Credit claims will have to be made online, payments will be made monthly and claimants will be responsible for paying their rent directly to their landlord.

The council has said that claiming online and managing a monthly budget will require a ‘behaviour change’ for some residents.

Universal Credit has been criticised as people applying for benefits will only be able to apply via a new online service, and benefits will be paid monthly rather than weekly.