The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) argued it would prove too complex, and cost too much, to move the claimants back to the old system. 

The appeal court judges ruled claimants should not lose out on benefits if they were forced to switch to Universal Credit due to an error of law.

The two households were comprised of a single mother looking after her disabled daughter, plus another woman with mobility difficulties, who suffered monthly losses of £140 and £180 respectively when they were moved on to Universal Credit.

These families argued their benefits were stopped unfairly, in what was deemed a “glaring injustice”.