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answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed attachment file name title grouped question UIN question first answered question first ministerially corrected answering member label previous answer version answering member constituency answering member printed answering member label attachment file name title
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1127546

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on issuing guidance to landlords who wish to rent to tenants who receive universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
uin	256349
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has regular dialogue with other Secretary of States in the course of normal ministerial business, which includes discussion surrounding aspects of Universal Credit.</p><p /><p>The Department maintains guidance on GOV.UK, relevant for private and social sector landlords, with information about Universal Credit. This helps landlords to understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for: a) their move to Universal Credit and b) making payments of their housing costs (rent) direct to their landlord themselves. This can be accessed at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government does not collect data on how many landlords are not able to rent to tenants who receive universal credit because of their landlord insurance policies.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 256350 question first answered 28/05/2019 15:38:33 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1127547

registered interest
date	20/05/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many landlords are not able to rent to tenants who receive universal credit because of their landlord insurance policies.
tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
uin	256350
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has regular dialogue with other Secretary of States in the course of normal ministerial business, which includes discussion surrounding aspects of Universal Credit.</p><p /><p>The Department maintains guidance on GOV.UK, relevant for private and social sector landlords, with information about Universal Credit. This helps landlords to understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for: a) their move to Universal Credit and b) making payments of their housing costs (rent) direct to their landlord themselves. This can be accessed at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government does not collect data on how many landlords are not able to rent to tenants who receive universal credit because of their landlord insurance policies.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 256349 question first answered 28/05/2019 15:38:34 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1216811

registered interest
date	23/06/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of private renters who would be ineligible for universal credit on the basis of (a) their status as a student, (b) their savings and (c) their immigration status.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	63498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2020 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 26/06/2020 12:33:12 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1243540

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit claimants rented from a private landlord and had (a) dependent children and (b) no dependent children in (i) the most recent month for which data is available and (ii) the same month in 2019.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	103409
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>The available information on the number of households on Universal Credit with Housing Entitlement, by Tenure and Family Type is published and the latest statistics to May 2020 can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 19/10/2020 14:45:11 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1327540

registered interest
date	24/05/2021
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the number of universal credit claims in the private rented sector with housing entitlement (a) where Local Housing Allowance does not cover rent and and (b) which are subject to deductions for (i) universal credit advances, (ii) universal credit overpayments and (iii) tax credit overpayments for the most recent period for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Westminster North
tabling member printed	Ms Karen Buck
uin	6181
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2021 answer text <p>a) The information on Local Housing Allowance relative to rent is published and available at: <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk" target="_blank"><strong>https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</strong></a>. Guidance for users is available at: <strong><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></strong></p><p> </p><p>b) In February 2021 for those claims in the private rented sector with housing entitlement there were:</p><p>i) 488,000 claims with a Universal Credit Advance Deduction</p><p>ii) 99,000 claims with a Universal Credit Overpayment Deduction</p><p>iii) 179,000 claims with a Tax Credit Overpayment Deduction</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p>1) Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000.</p><p>2) The Universal Credit Overpayments and Tax Credit Overpayments figures do not include deductions due to fraud.</p><p>3) Figures are only available up to February 2021 to correspond with the latest UC Official Statistics.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 27/05/2021 15:12:41 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	199 label Biography information for Ms Karen Buck

1327564

registered interest
date	24/05/2021
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the the median (a) gap between rent and the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and (b) deduction for universal credit claims in the private rented sector where LHA does not cover the rent and which are subject to deductions for (i) universal credit advances, (ii) universal credit overpayments and (iii) tax credit overpayments in the most recent period for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Westminster North
tabling member printed	Ms Karen Buck
uin	6183
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2021 answer text <p>In 2020/21 a boost of almost £1 billion to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in response to Covid-19, provided 1.5 million households in the private rented sector with around £600 more in housing support over the year. For those who require additional support with housing costs Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are available.</p><p> </p><p>We carefully balance our duty to the taxpayer to recover overpayments with our support for claimants. Steps are in place to ensure deductions are manageable; we lengthened the payback period from 12 months to 24 meaning in effect someone can receive 25 payments over 24 months and also reduced the normal maximum rate of deductions in Universal Credit from 30% to 25% of a claimant’s Standard Allowance enabling claimants to take home more of the award.</p><p> </p><p>a) In February 2021, where there was a gap between rent and the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) the median was £100 per month.</p><p> </p><p>b) In February 2021, the median deduction for Universal Credit claims in the private rented sector where LHA does not cover the rent and which are subject to deductions were:</p><p>i. £61 for Universal Credit Advance deductions</p><p>ii. £52 for Universal Credit Overpayment deductions</p><p>iii. £53 for Tax Credit Overpayment Deductions</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p>1) Figures are rounded to the nearest £1.</p><p>2) The Universal Credit Overpayments and Tax Credit Overpayments figures do not include deductions due to fraud.</p><p>3) Figures are only available up to February 2021 to correspond with the latest UC Official Statistics.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/05/2021 13:46:44 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	199 label Biography information for Ms Karen Buck

1348414

registered interest
date	19/07/2021
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Landlord Portal will be made available to private landlords.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
tabling member printed	Paula Barker
uin	35955
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2021 answer text <p>There has never been a plan to expand the landlord portal for social sector landlords to the 2 million private sector landlords.</p><p> </p><p>We provide clear pathways for private landlords to raise general queries or concerns about individual cases, for example, through our Partnership Manager network.</p><p> </p><p>In May 2020 we also introduced a new online system for private landlords to enable better interaction with Universal Credit. Private landlords are now able to request a Universal Credit tenant’s rent is paid directly to them online, which helps claimants who struggle with managing their money to pay their rent. This system replaces the arrangement of completing a form and submitting it via email or post.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 22/07/2021 14:23:23 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4828 label Biography information for Paula Barker

1648233

registered interest
date	27/06/2023
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of his Department's recent policy change in paying Universal Credit's Housing Element directly to claimants rather than to landlords and housing providers on the timeliness of rent payments.
tabling member constituency	Weaver Vale
tabling member printed	Mike Amesbury
uin	191435
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2023 answer text <p>No assessment has been made.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit is designed to mirror the world of work in order to ease the transition back into employment. The intention is that the same considerations and choices faced by people not in receipt of benefits should also face those claiming benefits. Expecting claimants to manage their own finances helps to achieve this.</p><p> </p><p>The Department understands that some claimants will require support to help them handle monthly payments and has put in place procedures to address this.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/07/2023 15:52:44 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4667 label Biography information for Mike Amesbury

1648861

registered interest
date	29/06/2023
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data his Department holds on the number of households in the private rented sector in receipt of universal credit with the housing element in payment; how many and what proportion of those households have rents that exceed the local housing allowance (LHA); and what the median average gap is between the rent and the LHA for those households where rent exceeds the LHA for each local authority area in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales for the most recent period for which data are available.
tabling member constituency	Westminster North
tabling member printed	Ms Karen Buck
uin	191728
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2023 answer text <p>The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants in the private rented sector. LHA rates are not intended to cover all rents in all areas. Data on local LHA rates and averages can be found in the attachments provided.</p><p> </p><p>In 2020 we spent almost £1 billion increasing LHA rates. These rates were aligned to the 30th percentile of market rents in Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA) across the country, therefore in those areas with higher rent costs this is reflected in higher LHA rates for that BRMA. In 2022/23, the Government is projected to spend around £30 billion to support renters. This is approximately 1.4% of GDP, more than any other OECD country, with the next highest being 0.9% of GDP.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the legislation increasing LHA rates to 30<sup>th</sup> percentile in April 2020 can be found <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/371/regulation/4" target="_blank">here.</a> Information on the legislation maintaining LHA rates at their current rates for 2023/24 can be found <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/6/contents/made" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p> </p><p>For those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and need further support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities. Since 2011 the Government has provided nearly £1.6 billion in DHP funding to local authorities.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that rents are increasing. However, the challenging fiscal environment means that difficult decisions have been necessary to ensure support is targeted effectively. Overall, the Government is providing total support of over £94 billion over 2022/23 and 2023/24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of living.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies attachment 1 file name Attachment.xlsx title Attachment 2 file name Attachment 2.xlsx title Attachment 2 question first answered 17/07/2023 16:04:45 question first ministerially corrected 21/07/2023 13:52:30 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 88042 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies attachment 1 file name Attachment.xlsx title Attachment
tabling member	199 label Biography information for Ms Karen Buck

1648862

registered interest
date	29/06/2023
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of those households in receipt of universal credit with the housing element in payment had rents that exceeded the local housing allowance (LHA) in (a) March 2020, (b) March 2021, (c) March 2022 and (d) March 2023; and what the median average gap is between the rent and the LHA for those households where rent exceeds the LHA in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.
tabling member constituency	Westminster North
tabling member printed	Ms Karen Buck
uin	191729
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2023 answer text <p>The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants in the private rented sector. LHA rates are not intended to cover all rents in all areas. Data on local LHA rates and averages can be found in the attachments provided.</p><p> </p><p>In 2020 we spent almost £1 billion increasing LHA rates. These rates were aligned to the 30th percentile of market rents in Broad Rental Market Areas (BRMA) across the country, therefore in those areas with higher rent costs this is reflected in higher LHA rates for that BRMA. In 2022/23, the Government is projected to spend around £30 billion to support renters. This is approximately 1.4% of GDP, more than any other OECD country, with the next highest being 0.9% of GDP.</p><p> </p><p>Information on the legislation increasing LHA rates to 30<sup>th</sup> percentile in April 2020 can be found <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/371/regulation/4" target="_blank">here.</a> Information on the legislation maintaining LHA rates at their current rates for 2023/24 can be found <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/6/contents/made" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p> </p><p>For those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and need further support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities. Since 2011 the Government has provided nearly £1.6 billion in DHP funding to local authorities.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that rents are increasing. However, the challenging fiscal environment means that difficult decisions have been necessary to ensure support is targeted effectively. Overall, the Government is providing total support of over £94 billion over 2022/23 and 2023/24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of living.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies attachment 1 file name Attachment.xlsx title Attachment 2 file name Attachment 2.xlsx title Attachment 2 question first answered 17/07/2023 16:04:45 question first ministerially corrected 21/07/2023 13:52:09 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 88046 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies attachment 1 file name Attachment.xlsx title Attachment
tabling member	199 label Biography information for Ms Karen Buck