Jobseekers in Wigan could today claim benefits from Universal Credit, as part of the latest stage in the roll out of the Coalition's flagship welfare reform.

Wigan has worked with other nearby pathfinder authorities, including Warrington, and Oldham MBCs and has learned from experience gained by Tameside MBC - which has been testing the system since April.

Ten weeks ago on 29 April Ashton-Under-Lyne became the first pathfinder area to begin processing UC claims for single jobseekers and residents from Oldham and Warrington will be able to make claims from the end of the month.

According to Alison Mckenzie-Folan, director of customer transformation at Wigan MBC, the council has run a number of money management courses and online training activities to help get residents online and manage their cash.

‘As part of the money management course, we've been helping residents to budget and to set up bank accounts.  With the increasing accessibility of pay day loans and door step lenders we've also been advising residents of alternative options,' Ms McKenzie-Folan said.

Welfare minister Lord Freud said officials were in a strong position for the next step in the roll out of UC in the pathfinder areas.

‘Universal credit is being introduced in a slow, safe and controlled manner to ensure we get this vital reform right and I'm already encouraged by its progress,' said Lord Freud.

The national roll-out of UC is set to be complete by 2017, although in May, the Major Projects Authority reported the Department for Work and Pensions' £13bn  benefits payment programme is at risk of failure and in need of urgent remedial action.