Poor preparations for the imminent roll-out of the controversial Universal Credit system could lead to a surge in homelessness in a borough already blighted by the issue, according to one councillor.

Jonathon Hawkes (Lab), who heads up the Dartford council’s scrutiny committee, made the comments following a meeting in which it was revealed the number of people who will claim in the borough is not yet known.

At the meeting the council’s head of revenue and benefits, Nick Scott, agreed with Cllr Hawkes’ suggestion that the lack of information was a “risk”.

Under UC all existing benefits will be included in a single monthly payment but the scheme has hit stumbling blocks elsewhere in the country in the form of late payments leaving recipients unable to pay rent and bills on time.

Cllr Hawkes says Dartford is risking a similar situation if communication between the council and the Department for Work and Pensions does not improve.

When asked for a rough estimate, Mr Scott said there were about 3,500 benefits claimants in Dartford, a figure Cllr Hawkes said the committee agreed with.

Cllr Hawkes said: “I’m concerned about general readiness and communication with people likely to be affected, especially those in private rented accommodation.

“In summary we felt officers were doing all they could with the resources they have. They are reliant on the DWP and there does not seem to be joined up thinking from its end.

“Dartford has a particular problem with homelessness and there’s a real risk here that if this isn’t done properly we could see more people evicted and on the streets.”

UC will be rolled out in the borough between July and 2022.

The meeting also heard officers were working to identify vulnerable recipients who may face problems using the internet to claim in order to help them with the process.

The council has been approached for comment.

First announced in 2010 the government is currently rolling UC out to 50 job centres a month in a process which will finish in 2022 when more than seven million households are scheduled to receive it.

Analysis by the Trussell Trust of foodbanks that have been in full universal credit roll-out areas for a year or more shows they saw an average increase of 52% in the 12 months after the full roll-out date in their area.

In March former work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said Theresa May should invest a further £2billion into the roll-out of universal credit, saying it would enable the system to run more efficiently.