The Church of Scotland has joined Christian groups calling for an end to the roll-out of Universal Credit following a “deeply concerning” report from the National Audit Oice.

The NAO report states that Universal Credit does not ofer value for money, that it fails to meet its inancial objectives, and that more than a quarter of claims were paid late.

The Rev Dr Richard Frazer, Convener of the Church’s Church and Society Council, said: “The result of this is that a signiicant number of people are being forced into increased poverty, and that civil society, including our church congregations, are having to provide emergency support to a growing number of people.

“Until the issues outlined in the National Audit Oice’s damning report have been adequately resolved, the Government must, at the very least, halt the continued rollout of Universal Credit. No more people should have to sufer because of these failings.”