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 leader Jeremy Corbyn was in Consett on Friday where he called on the Government to halt the roll out of Universal Credit.

Mr Corbyn met Citizens Advice staff who are preparing for the new benefits scheme to start next month in the area.

He listened to claimants’ problems as he talked through the issue in Geraldine’s Cafe over egg, chips and beans with a steaming coffee.

Mr Corbyn said many legitimate claimants did not have access to a computer but were being told to go online to access Universal Credit.

(Image: PA)

“The Government has a great opportunity on Wednesday week, which is the Budget,” he said.

“Why don’t they say: ‘We have looked at it, we have listened, we have heard the hardship, we are going to pause the roll out?’”

Mr Corbyn said there should then be consultations with experts including from Citizens Advice.

“We must pause and fix Universal Credit now, before millions of people are made worse off,” he added.

(Image: PA)

Mr Corbyn also met with local Labour MP Laura Pidcock, who has backed calls for the Government to pause the rollout of the new benefit system.

The Labour leader then went on a walkabout around Consett, where he posed for a picture with 18-month-old Callum Smith from Lanchester.

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

Mr Corbyn knelt down by the chilly-looking toddler’s pushchair, and as the little boy did not smile for the cameras, he said: “Callum looks a bit sad here.”

There was laughter as he said: “Callum’s against Universal Credit too.”

Mr Corbyn was also pictured ordering a cheese and onion pasty from Greggs and standing outside the Barry’s Bargain store.