Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith'​s welfare reforms intended to encourage claimants to find work could in fact leave many households worse off, a think tank warned today.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) questioned whether computer systems at the Department for Work and Pensions would be able to cope with the introduction of the new universal credit, which is due to replace a raft of out-of-work benefits from October 2013.

It warned that the overall effect of Mr Duncan Smith'​s benefit changes would be to add to the complexity of a benefits system which they were supposed to simplify.

Mr Duncan Smith has always said that the key principle behind the universal credit is to remove disincentives to claimants taking jobs by ensuring people are always better off in work.

However, the JRF said many households would actually be worse off or only marginally better as a result of the changes.

Full story in the Telegraph

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