Welfare reform 'driving women to sex work'

Former Labour minister Frank Field claims women in his Birkenhead constituency are being forced into prostitution by cash shortages as a result of universal credit welfare reforms.

His intervention in the House Commons follows growing calls for the UK-wide rollout of the benefit to be put on hold and for billions to be pumped into the system in this month's Budget.

In response, Welfare Secretary Esther McVey said: "We need to work with those ladies and see what help we can give them from the work coaches right the way through to the various charities and organisations."

15 October 2018