THE Commons work & pensions committee has launched an inquiry into the link between welfare “reforms” such as universal credit and the rise of “survival sex.”

The committee has already identified that higher benefit sanctions, the long wait for the first payment and the accumulation of debt has made it harder for claimants to pay their living costs.

The MPs are calling for evidence on what features of universal credit may drive people to prostitution, how widespread the problem is and what changes could be made.

The Mirror has reported that a mother turned to prostitution while waiting for benefits after having lost her job of 10 years three months ago.

She told the newspaper:  “They tell me to be patient, but being patient isn’t going to feed my child or pay my mortgage.”