Jeremy Corbyn says Labour would scrap Universal Credit at rally in Chingford

Mr Corbyn was speaking at a rally in Chingford today, where he set out Labour’s plans to replace Universal Credit with a social security system.

He said this system would focus on “alleviating and ending poverty, not driving people into it”.

Mr Corbyn also said Labour would replace the Department for Work and Pensions with a Department for Social Security, marking a radical shift from a system that “punishes and polices” people to one where social security will support people in finding work.

Hundreds turned out for Mr Corbyn's speech

Criticisng Universal Credit in a speech, Mr Corbyn said: “Universal Credit has been an unmitigated disaster. As well as being behind schedule and over budget it is inhumane and cruel, driving people into poverty and hardship.

“Social security is supposed to give people dignity and respect, not punish and police them, make them wait five weeks for the first payment or fill out a four-page form to prove their child was born as a result of rape.”

The Labour leader added: “It’s time to end this cruelty. So today I can tell you that Labour will scrap Universal Credit. And we will replace the Department for Work and Pensions with a Department for Social Security – this will provide real security.

“When a Labour government takes office we will introduce an emergency package of reforms to end the worst aspects of Universal Credit.”

Mr Corbyn said the "emergency package of remforms" that would be lead up to ending Universal Credit included:

Reduce the five-week waiting period by introducing an interim payment after two weeks.

Scrap the two-child limit.

Scrap the benefit cap.

Immediately suspend sanctions and the claimant agreement.

Make split payments, payments direct to landlords and fortnightly payments the default.

Officially end the “digital only” approach by recruiting 5000 new social security advisers.