A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl phoned a charity to beg for work so that she can help her family after a delayed universal credit (UC) payment put them in dire straits.

The child’s single father has recently been made redundant from his job as a lorry driver in Torbay, Devon.

The family of five were made to wait five weeks until the first UC payment, leaving them with little food and unable to make ends meet, the Daily Mirror reported.

She called Humanity Torbay, which provides aid and foodbanks for locals, and offered to do jobs such as cleaning, cooking and making beds.

Chief executive Ellie Waugh said she was reduced to tears by the girl's call and has invited Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey to visit, but has received no response so far.

“I want them to see the reality of what UC is doing, to see the look of no hope in people’s eyes when they come asking for food,” Ms Waugh added.