The video will start in 8 Cancel

Want the top news headlines sent to your inbox daily? Sign up to our FREE newsletter below Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Labour’s Laura Pidcock asked Theresa May whether the rollout of Universal Credit was “gross incompetence” or “calculated cruelty”.

The North West Durham MP took aim during Prime Minister’ s Questions on Wednesday.

Mrs May defended the new benefits system which is being introduced across the country.

Watch their full exchange above.

House of Commons speaker John Bercow was forced to intervene at one stage to quieten down the shouts from other MPs.

Ms Pidcock said : “The DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) proposes to rollout the Universal Credit system in my constituency over Christmas, the toughest financial time for residents.

(Image: Reuters Live Stream)

“My question to the Prime Minister is this, is the rollout a matter of gross incompetence or calculated cruelty?”

Since its introduction the Universal Credit system has been criticised for leaving benefits claimants waiting weeks for their payments.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The PM replied she was pleased to say the DWP had been performing “much better”.

The clip shows her Labour counterpart clearly disagreeing.

Mrs May continued: “It’s no good the honourable lady shaking her head, the figures show the performance in terms of getting payments to people on time has increased substantially.

“The purpose for Universal Credit is a more straightforward, simpler system that helps people to keep more as they earn more and encourages people into work.”