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Hundreds of computers have been removed from Jobcentres - despite new welfare system Universal Credit requiring an online account.

The Government has admitted that this year the number of computers in Jobcentres has been reduced.

But it comes at a time when many have been struggling with Universal Credit applications.

In order to receive UC, claimants need to create an online account and complete registration within seven days, then need to enter further details on the internet to finish their claim within 28 days.

A claimant's partner also needs to have an account - even if they are not intending to apply for Universal Credit - because their income and savings also are included in calculations for the other person's claim.

But many people don't have web access or find it difficult using the internet because of disabilities or health problems.

Figures have already shown that 462,000 people needed help from friends, family, Jobcentre staff or a charity to put in an application for Universal Credit

This prompted concerns from campaigners that many more may have slipped through the net completely.

(Image: Getty Images)

Debt charity Christians Against Poverty warned that more than a fifth of people it had helped did not have internet access at home.

It said: "Digital exclusion is a significant challenge for many people helped by us. In our own research we found that 22 per cent said they do not have access to the internet at home, on a computer or smart phone.

"As Universal Credit is designed to be ‘digital-by-default’, difficulties making a claim online featured strongly amongst our clients."

Claimants without internet access at home often end up using computers at their local Jobcentre, or getting staff to help them do so.

But now it turns out there are fewer of the machines available.

A reply to a question in Parliament this month revealed that there were 6,761 desktop computers available for public use in Jobcentres across England between 2015 and 2018.

But the number dropped to 6,409 this year.

(Image: PA)

Alok Sharma, a minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, said the number of customer devices had been reduced by 352 "due to the rationalisation of the DWP Estate."

He added that the latest figures included 44 new computers and that all remaining terminals in jobcentres in England would be replaced during 2019 with new bespoke machines "designed to support the Universal Credit customer journey."

Margaret Greenwood MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, had earlier said: "It’s clear that making people make and manage their Universal Credit claims online is stopping people getting the social security support they should be entitled to.

"Nobody should lose out because they find it difficult to use IT or don’t have easy access to it, especially with the widespread closures of libraries and Jobcentres.

"The government must stop the rollout of Universal Credit before any more people are pushed into poverty by a benefit that should protect them from it."

Manny Hothi, head of policy at anti-poverty charity Trust for London, told the Independent: "From our research we know that some people are struggling to get online in order to manage their Universal Credit claims.

"We would expect there to be more computers, not less, alongside assistance from Jobcentre staff, to help those who struggle to get online."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: "98% of people claim online and our latest claimant survey showed the majority of people found the process easy. Additional support is also available for those that need it."

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What to do if you're struggling to apply for Universal Credit

For general enquiries before starting a claim, there are three helpline numbers you need to know.

They are:

Telephone: 0800 328 9344

Welsh language: 0800 012 1888

Textphone for those with hearing problems: 0800 328 1344

Call between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday (closed on bank holidays).

All calls to the Universal Credit helplines are free.

Your local Citizens Advice may also be able to help.