And she confirmed in the strongest terms yet that she would like to see the waiting time for Universal Credit cut. (Image: Dan Kitwood)Ms Rudd admitted she has been pushing to see people get Universal Credit faster after Jeremy Hunt revealed she lobbied him to cut the 5-week wait for the benefit. She said it would take public money, but added: “I’m talking to Jeremy Hunt to see what we can do and how we will address that. But less than 36 hours later Mr Hunt told a Tory leadership debate: “She has persuaded me that we do need to end the five week wait before people can claim Universal Credit . It is understood Jeremy Hunt backer Ms Rudd has not yet met his leadership rival Boris Johnson - who refused even to pledge he’ll end the cruel benefit freeze - to discuss the issue.

Source: Daily Mirror July 16, 2019 20:01 UTC