What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

More than half a million people are having their Universal Credit payments cut to pay off old debts - even when the debt wasn't their fault.

A charity today warned families are being "pushed over the edge" after the DWP revealed the vast number of people who are losing out.

The row erupted over thousands of people shunted from old-style Tax Credits to the new six-in-one benefit.

The claimants were moved without transition payments because they had a "change in circumstances", like moving house or a break-up.

Now the DWP has admitted 570,000 of them - more than a quarter of all UC claimants - are still having Tax Credit overpayments deducted from their benefit, as of April 30.

(Image: Getty)

The average debt is £1,560 (or a £610 median average) and struggling families can have 40% of their UC docked each month.

Of the 570,000, some 410,000 have suffered a deduction for Tax Credit debt in the last month.

That's despite the fact that for many people, overpayments only happened because of an error by HM Revenue and Customs.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

For others, the overpayment was their fault or a misunderstanding. There was no further breakdown of the figures.

Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said deductions "can be from years ago and often come as a surprise."

She added: "They can also come on top of other deductions leaving some people unable to cover their essential costs.

(Image: UIG via Getty Images)

"Our evidence shows that many people on Universal Credit are already struggling."

She said half the people the charity helps when they first join UC cannot keep up with bills or rent, "so any deductions can push people over the edge."

Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Margaret Greenwood said: “Repaying such high levels of Tax Credit debt, along with other deductions, can push people into severe hardship.

“People are often not even aware of their Tax Credit debt at all until they claim Universal Credit.

"And the government’s own research shows that well over half of people transferring from Tax Credits struggle to cope financially.

“Our social security system must protect people from poverty; under this government, it is failing.

"The government must stop the rollout of Universal Credit now.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Where an overpayment of Tax Credits is identified, we work to resolve the matter with the customer as quickly as possible.

"Safeguards are in place to ensure repayments are affordable and we have recently announced we will reduce the maximum amount that can be deducted from someone’s Universal Credit claim.

“Universal Credit is a better, simpler system with monthly assessments which reduce the likelihood of overpayments in future.”