PROTESTERS will descend on Southampton City Centre today to watch actors playing Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn go head-to-head over universal credit.

According to union group Unite Community Southampton, members and supporters will be protesting against the roll out of universal credit as part of a national campaign day.

It said actors will be part of a "lively street theatre", joined by pall-bearers with a coffin, the Grim Reaper and a choir singing songs of protest.

It is due to kick off at noon at the Bargate, Southampton.

Universal credit, which rolls six working-age benefits into a single payment, is designed to make the system simpler and ensure no-one faces a situation where they would be better off claiming benefits than working.

But the government has faced calls to pause its rollout across the UK with criticism over the delays in people's payments being received.

Kelly Tomlinson, Unite Community coordinator for the South East, said: “Despite knowing that universal credit causes serious problems for those claiming it, the government is ploughing ahead regardless while claimants are descending into debt, relying on food banks and getting into rent arrears and in many cases are being evicted from their homes.

“Unite is demanding a cut in the long waits to receive money, for people to be able to apply in job centres, not just online, better help for people when the system fails, landlords to be paid directly to avoid people getting into rent arrears and losing their homes, an end to benefit sanctions for people in and out of work.”

The Trussell Trust says foodbank demand in areas where universal credit has already been rolled out has increased by an average of 30 per cent.

Citizens Advice Southampton is also urging the government to address problems with the system before it is rolled out nationally.

It comes after it experienced an increase in people seeking advice in Southampton, since universal credit was rolled out in February.

Despite various claims that universal credit is forcing people into debt, the government maintains it is a simpler system that encourages people to get into the workplace.

According to figures from the DWP from June 2017, 92 per cent of claimants received their full payment on time.

Conservative MP Royston Smith said: “The principle behind universal credit is that work should always pay. Before it was introduced claimants on Jobseekers’ Allowance could lose up to 98 pence in the pound if they sought work.

"The roll out is being done in a phased way to ensure any issues can be dealt with before everyone is moved onto the benefit.”