Several Conservative MPs – including Harrow East representative Bob Blackman – could lose their seats over universal credit, according to a campaign group.

Research by ’38 degrees’ suggested that the Government’s persistence with the controversial scheme could have a negative impact on its performance in the next general election.

Universal credit will replace six current benefits – child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance and working tax credit.

The Government insists the system will improve the way welfare is run by “ensuring people are better off in work than on benefits”.

But several critics have argued that millions of families across the UK will be worse off under the new system – even if they are already working.

According to 38 degrees, the “political cost” of the move to universal credit could be far-reaching.

It pointed out that, in the case of Harrow East, more than 7,000 constituents are expected to be moved onto universal credit.

This greatly outnumbers Mr Blackman’s majority from the 2017 election, which stood at 1,757.

Mr Blackman, who has held the seat since 2010, did not comment on any perceived threat to his position.

But he confirmed that he backs the proposals and believes they will have a positive impact on the country.

“I support the policy that is universal credit and its reformist core: replacing six complex benefits with a single unified system,” he said.

“As the chancellor said in the budget, ‘this is not just a welfare measure; it is a major structural reform to our economy that will help to drive growth and employment in the years ahead’.”

He added that he has held discussions with ministerial colleagues about universal credit and has lobbied them to “ensure the policy is properly funded”.