THE Government’s flagship benefit reform programme is set to be introduced in Swindon next month.

Universal Credit is being rolled out across the country in stages and from February 16, it will be adopted in Swindon.

The changes will eventually see six benefits merge into one that will be paid out in monthly instalments.

Initially, it will be open to single jobseekers and the money they receive will be paid directly into their bank account.

Universal Credit will eventually replace Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

The Government says the overall aim is to make work pay, with limits on the amount of work a claimant can do being removed.

Payments are paid monthly to replicate the work environment, thereby making the transition into work easier and applications are made online.

Iain Duncan Smith, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “We’ve already seen remarkable success, with Universal Credit claimants moving into work faster and staying in work longer.

“As part of our long-term economic plan, people in Swindon will have the financial security of knowing that if they work more they will earn more.

“By spring 2015 Universal Credit will be in a third of the country’s Jobcentres as part of the wholesale transformation of the welfare state – providing the country with an economic benefit of £7 billion each year when rolled out.”

The programme has been introduced across 150 local authorities and since then 55,000 people have made a claim for Universal Credit. The Department of Work of Pensions has said people on it are now working more than they were under Jobseeker’s Allowance.

However, there have been problems in the past on implementing Universal Credit and last year Labour said they would pause its implementation.

There has been an acknowledgment that it may take time for people to get used to it but in the long term it will be a positive move for claimants.

Julie Marshall, manager of the Swindon Jobcentre in Princes Street, said: “I think, once people get used to the different system, our customers will benefit from the changes that will be coming in. It will be all of their benefits rolled into one.

“Your claim is in one particular place, which should make things easier.”