Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands has called on the UK Government to reverse cuts to Universal Credit in order to make it "fit for purpose."

The SNP man has joined calls for a reversal after Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey refused to say whether she would seek additional funding at the next Budget.

There is mounting pressure on the UK Government to halt and change Universal Credit, with former Tory leaders Iain Duncan Smith and John Major criticising the rollout.

Universal Credit is supposed to simplify benefits for working-age people by replacing income support, jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.

However, some experts have estimated that millions of households will be more than £50 a week worse off under the new benefits system.

Commenting on this week’s Westminster debate on Universal Credit, Mr Newlands said: “The UK Government must use the upcoming Budget to end these cuts and stop this shambolic rollout that has pushed many families into desperation and poverty.

“This policy is simply unfit for purpose. Its rollout is a mistake that has cost millions of families hundreds and even thousands of pounds.

"It quite obviously needs a complete overhaul, as even Tory party grandees have suggested.

“The Tories must bring back work allowance, end the benefit freeze, scrap the abhorrent two-child cap, reduce sanctions and fix payment delays and errors.

“As always, the UK Government arrogantly ploughs ahead with its devastating policies. They should instead listen to their own previous leaders, listen to the evidence, halt the rollout and change this now.”

Ms McVey has pledged to discuss details of Universal Credit with the UK Chancellor, with details to be revealed in the Budget later this month.