Linked Data API

Show Search Form

Search Results

1128212
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had their deductions under universal credit reduced from the maximum rate of 40 per cent of an individual's standard allowance in the last (a) month and (b) 12 months. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency High Peak more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ruth George more like this
star this property uin 257510 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. Universal Credit already has procedures and regulations in place to protect claimants from excessive deductions. The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance, and from October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Reading West more like this
star this property answering member printed Alok Sharma remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-10T14:52:01.35Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-10T14:52:01.35Z
star this property answering member
4014
star this property label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma more like this
star this property tabling member
4662
star this property label Biography information for Ruth George more like this
1128213
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had deductions under universal credit paused; and what the average length of the pause was in the last (a) month and (b) 12 months. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency High Peak more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ruth George more like this
star this property uin 257511 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-06more like thismore than 2019-06-06
star this property answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Reading West more like this
star this property answering member printed Alok Sharma remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-06T17:06:52.84Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-06T17:06:52.84Z
star this property answering member
4014
star this property label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma more like this
star this property tabling member
4662
star this property label Biography information for Ruth George more like this
1128214
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with underlying debts resulting in deductions under universal credit had those debts written off in the last (a) month and (b) 12 months. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency High Peak more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ruth George more like this
star this property uin 257512 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-06more like thismore than 2019-06-06
star this property answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Reading West more like this
star this property answering member printed Alok Sharma remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-06T17:12:20.003Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-06T17:12:20.003Z
star this property answering member
4014
star this property label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma more like this
star this property tabling member
4662
star this property label Biography information for Ruth George more like this
1128306
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of universal credit claimants who have received an advance payment have had to delay their repayment for three months. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Lanark and Hamilton East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Angela Crawley more like this
star this property uin 257557 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Reading West more like this
star this property answering member printed Alok Sharma remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-10T15:11:08.45Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-10T15:11:08.45Z
star this property answering member
4014
star this property label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma more like this
star this property tabling member
4469
star this property label Biography information for Angela Crawley more like this
1128322
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to ensure that universal credit claimants (a) are fully aware of how the repayment of advance payments work and (b) understand that the deferment of repayments is for a maximum of three months. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Lanark and Hamilton East more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Angela Crawley more like this
star this property uin 257562 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answer text <p>Applications for a Universal Credit advance payment can be made in person, by telephone or online depending on the claimant’s circumstances. Depending on the type of advance payment application, we will consider whether the claimant satisfies the eligibility conditions for receiving the advance. If the claimant is eligible we will agree the amount of the advance and the period over which the advance will be recovered from their future Universal Credit payments. If the claimant has made the application in person or by telephone, the outcome of the application is explained to the claimant face to face or over the phone and then their online journal is updated. If they have made the application online the outcome will be displayed on screen.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that advances meet the needs of claimants and that the recovery arrangements are personalised and reasonable. Affordability is managed by ensuring the recovery rate will not be more than the equivalent of 40% of the claimant’s standard allowance. The claimant is given the choice over the repayment period and it is explained to them exactly how much will be deducted each month depending on the option they choose. If the claimant is making the advance application online, these options are clearly displayed on screen for them to choose from.</p><p> </p><p>Help is available for those struggling to meet the recovery rate. In exceptional circumstances, recovery can be deferred for up to three months from the start of the recovery period. If the claimant tells us that due to unforeseen circumstances they are experiencing hardship and are having difficulty repaying the advance over the agreed recovery time, we would explain that repayment can be deferred by a maximum of three months.</p><p> </p><p>From October 2019 the maximum rate of deductions from a claimant’s standard allowance will be reduced from 40% to 30%. From October 2021 we are increasing the recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months, further supporting those in financial need.</p><p> </p><p>Information about advances is available on the Gov.uk site at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances</a></p>
star this property answering member constituency Reading West more like this
star this property answering member printed Alok Sharma remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-10T14:31:16.91Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-10T14:31:16.91Z
star this property answering member
4014
star this property label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma more like this
star this property tabling member
4469
star this property label Biography information for Angela Crawley more like this
1128342
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove filter
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
unstar this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 February 2019 to Question 218205 on Universal Credit, which regulations referred to in that Answer protect claimants from excessive deductions. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency High Peak more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ruth George more like this
star this property uin 257576 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answer text <p>The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. Under Universal Credit there is a structured approach to deductions from benefit, which simplifies the current complex arrangements. Claimants can view their Universal credit statement online and easily understand both how their award is calculated and what debts are being repaid, supporting them to manage their financial obligations.</p><p> </p><p>The aim of the deductions policy in Universal Credit is to protect vulnerable claimants by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of essential services. The policy also enables social obligations to be enforced when other repayment methods have failed, or are not cost effective, and ensures that benefit debt is recovered in a cost effective manner.</p><p> </p><p>Regulations protect claimants from excessive deductions, which could lead to financial difficulty.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance plus any additional elements that apply, for example a housing element or child element. The overall maximum amount that can be deducted for debt repayments from a claimant’s Universal Credit each month is an amount equal to 40 per cent of their Universal Credit standard allowance.</p><p> </p><p>Where requested deductions exceed the 40 per cent maximum, or there is insufficient Universal Credit in payment for all deductions to be made, a priority order is applied, which determines the order in which items should be deducted. ‘Last resort’ deductions, such as rent or fuel costs, are at the top of the priority order, ensuring that claimant welfare is prioritised, followed by social obligation deductions, such as fines and child maintenance, and finally benefit debt, such as Social Fund loans and benefit overpayments.</p><p> </p><p>There are two exceptions to the overall maximum deduction rate. The first is deductions for current consumption of gas, electricity and water, which do not count towards the overall maximum amount. The second is where a Conditionality Sanction or Fraud Penalty is being applied or an Advance is being recovered, ‘last resort deductions’ (that is arrears of rent, service charges, gas or electricity) continue to be taken, even if it means that more than 40 per cent is deducted. This is to protect vulnerable claimants from being made homeless or having their fuel disconnected.</p><p> </p><p>The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013(S.I, 2013/380) and specifically Regulation 60 and Schedule 6, paragraph 4 explains how claimants are protected from excessive deductions. These regulations are available at <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/380/contents/made" target="_blank">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/380/contents/made</a>.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Reading West more like this
star this property answering member printed Alok Sharma remove filter
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-10T11:23:39.323Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-10T11:23:39.323Z
star this property answering member
4014
star this property label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma more like this
star this property tabling member
4662
star this property label Biography information for Ruth George more like this