THE Archbishop of York has called for the Government to reduce “grotesque” delays for people claiming universal credit.

Dr John Sentamu said it is punishing the poor who have “nothing left to fall back on”.

Writing in the Sunday Times, he attacked the current system that makes claimants currently receiving benefits have to wait six weeks before they can receive universal credit.

The Archbishop writes that the system “assumes everyone has a nest egg which will tide them over as they wait a minimum of 42 days for payouts.”

He added: “This is grotesquely ignorant, for millions of people, especially those in need of support, are already in debt and have nothing to fall back on.”

His is the latest voice to speak out about the way the new benefit is being rolled out across the country.

Universal credit is paid on a monthly basis and replaces benefits that are paid on a more frequent basis.

Critics have warned that s the six-week wait is contributing to rising debt, rent arrears and evictions.

They have called for it to be reduced to four weeks to bring it in line with salary payments.