THE controversial roll-out of universal to the Scottish Borders has been delayed for two months.
The new benefits system was initially due to arrive in the region on March 13 next year.
But following the government's budget announcement of planned changes for payments, it has been put back until mid June.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "The extra time will allow us to prepare better for when the changes happen in the Borders."
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced during his statement last month that the first week of Universal Credit without payment would be scrapped, reducing the waiting period to five weeks.
Advance payments are to increase from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the first month's money.
And existing housing benefit claimants would be paid a further two weeks of housing benefit after the changes.
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