INVERCLYDE'S MP has attacked the Universal Credit system as not fit for purpose.

Ronnie Cowan says a reported increase in the number of people claiming benefits and the local three per cent rise in child poverty highlighted this week by the Tele proves that there is a need for change.

The most recent figures show that 3,100 people now rely on the working-age benefit.

Mr Cowan said: "The figures continue to increase across the UK and that is reflected in Inverclyde’s figures.

"Universal Credit has been massively underfunded and the effect is that more people have been driven into poverty.

"This is not a reflection on the people at the DWP, who work incredibly hard to manage the system.

"The system is not fit for purpose."