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There will be "dire" consequences for families "close to the edge" if Theresa May insists on pressing ahead with Universal Credit, a former top adviser has warned.

Dame Louise Casey urged the prime minister to pause the roll-out of the new benefit system so it can be fixed.

She told Carolyn Quinn: "It's like jumping over a cliff - once you've jumped people end up at the bottom and we don't want that to happen".

(Image: Dame Louise Casey. Credit: UK government)