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A DWP minister has taken eight MONTHS to reply to an MP's letter raising concerns about Universal Credit .

Labour 's Catherine West wrote to ministers on August 12 last year with fears for people on the six-in-one benefit.

But Employment Minister Alok Sharma only wrote his reply on April 24 this year.

He wrote "I apologise for the delay" - before launching into three pages of explanation about how UC is being improved.

No reason was given for the delay.

Ms West compared the delay to the five-week wait people are forced to endure for their first UC payment, if they don't choose to take out an advance loan.

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The MP said: "It’s deeply worrying that MPs wait months for replies from DWP.

"It’s a reminder of how dangerous it is for my constituents in desperate need how harmful it is for people to wait for urgently needed DWP payments."

Mr Sharma's letter admitted only 85% of new claims to Universal Credit are paid in full and on time.

He said: "Some claimants have not signed their claimant commitment or passed identity checks.

"The others have outstanding verification issues, such as housing and self-employed earnings."

He also highlighted the decision to halt the "managed migration" of most existing benefit claimants until next summer at the earliest.

A DWP spokesperson said: “We value feedback from MPs across the House and, in the vast majority of cases, we respond as promptly as possible to written correspondence. In addition, we regularly hold surgeries and meetings for MPs to discuss any concerns they may have face-to-face with Ministers and senior officials.”