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Jeremy Corbyn has used the private remarks of a Conservative AM who said she was “ashamed” of the Government’s handling of Universal Credit to attack Theresa May.

The UK Labour leader seized on comments made by Angela Burns and used them as ammunition in Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Government is under pressure to pause the roll-out of the benefit reform because of concern that claimants can wait up to six weeks for their first payment.

Mr Corbyn said: “A Conservative member of the Welsh Assembly, Angela Burns, said, and I quote: ‘For the life of me I cannot understand why a six or four week gap is deemed acceptable.’

“She called Universal Credit ‘callous at best and downright cruel at worst’ and concluded by saying she’s ‘ashamed’ of her Government.”

Mr Corbyn continued: “Can the Prime Minister ease her colleague’s shame by pausing and fixing Universal Credit?”

It is understood Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM Ms Burns made her comments in a private email which was sent in error to all Conservative AMs and staff.

(Image: PA)

Mrs May defended Universal Credit, saying: We introduced Universal Credit as a simple, more straightforward system that ensures that work pays and helps people into the workplace... Under Labour, the low-paid paid tax and then had it paid back to them in benefits; under Labour people were trapped on a life on benefits for years.”

In her email, Ms Burns said: “I have to say to you all that I think this position is indefensible and if I’m challenged I will say so. For the life of me I cannot understand why a six or four week gap is deemed acceptable.

“It should be a seamless transition and it’s not beyond the wit of man to make it so. I’m all for UC and I agree the benefits system should be overhauled and people paid appropriately but this cavalier attitude that the poorest can muddle through is callous at best and downright cruel at worst.

“I’m ashamed of my Government.”

Her comments have surfaced just days after the Archbishop of York condemned waiting times for payments of up to six weeks as “grotesquely ignorant”.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has said the welfare system is causing “unimaginable suffering” in Wales and Westminster should transfer key powers to the Assembly.

The National Assembly’s research service stated in 2016: “In Wales, Universal Credit is forecast to increase the incomes of working households with children, and reduce the incomes of households with no one in paid work.”