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Esther McVey appeared to try and relate to Universal Claimants when discussing how her salary will change after resigning her cabinet position.

The outgoing Liverpool-born Work and Pensions boss - who quit her post in protest at Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal deal last week - was seen by many as the face of the controversial benefit reform, which has been accused of pushing many people into poverty.

After her resignation, many people pointed out the situation that would face Universal Credit claimants if they were to voluntarily give up a job.

One twitter user, Paul Treloar, asked: "If you leave a job voluntarily under Universal Credit, your first sanction lasts for 91 days, second time around it's 182 days and third time, a whopping 1,095 days (or three years. Wonder whether Esther McVey1 will see her MP's salary reduced for quitting her job?"

And on this occasion, the former Wirral West MP responded, stating: "Paul, in answer to your question. By resigning, my salary has been halved."

Unsurprisingly, many twitter users were less than sympathetic that Ms McVey's annual take home has now been reduced to the mere £77,379 that normal Members of Parliament are paid.

Esther McVey admits Universal Credit claimants 'will be worse off'

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And others found it offensive that she had responded in this way to a question about Universal Credit claimants, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet.

Emily said: "Yes, but unlike someone on Universal Credit, you earn sh*tloads and after a few months of being cast out into the wilderness, they'll do the Cabinet lucky dip and hand you some random job like Home Secretary so you'll be fine."

Robert Doig said: "So you do not have 6 weeks of destitution you have your extremely well paid job, your subsidised food and drink at work, subsidised travel to and from work and a subsidised second home bought for you...... yes sounds just like being in Universal Credit."

Another user joked: "Halved to £75k as an MP mate... hardly straight to ramen noodles is it."

One person has a handy idea, suggesting: "I think you should donate the extra money you earned for being a cabinet minister to the food banks the DWP are forcing people to use. Many of whom work full time and can't make ends meet."

And Liverpool Lib Dem councillor Kay Davies called on Ms McVey to quit as an MP altogether, telling her: "It would be lovely if most of us could afford to do this Esther.

"You should quit as an MP.

"You have brought unprecedented levels of misery to so many people. And you continue to mock them. How much do you claim for weekly groceries off the tax payer?"