NEW Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey yesterday denied that benefit cuts are plunging people into poverty.

She gave the universal credit (UC) welfare system a score of “9.9 with no question” when asked by the Commons work and pensions committee about its performance.

The Tory minister also rejected that there was a “causal link” between the two-child cap on welfare payments and struggling families being referred to foodbanks.

She refused to guarantee that the benefits freeze will end in April 2020 despite the government stating that “austerity is over.”

Her predecessor Amber Rudd had said it was “essential” that the harmful policy come to an end.

Ms Coffey refused to introduce separate UC payments to couples, which Ms Rudd had promised to do after fears were raised over abusive financial control in relationships.

Labour’s shadow work and pension secretary Margaret Greenwood said Ms Coffey’s comments were “breathtaking” and “cruel.”