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1644257

registered interest
date	13/06/2023
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in how many households receiving Universal Credit either member of the household (a) had notified his Department of financial mismanagement or financial abuse, (b) had notified his Department that there were domestic violence issues and (c) was found to be unable or unwilling to budget for their own or their family’s basic day-to-day needs in February 2023.
tabling member constituency	Leicester South
tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
uin	189368
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2023 answer text <p>The information requested cannot be provided because it is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 19/06/2023 15:09:27 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1328101

registered interest
date	26/05/2021
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 May 2021 to Question 2925 on Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of turning the universal credit advance from a loan to a grant on the (a) levels of personal debt among universal credit claimants, (b) levels of personal debt among universal credit claimants who are fleeing domestic violence and (c) the cost to the public purse.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
uin	7764
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Advances are not loans. They are a claimant’s benefit entitlement paid early, allowing claimants to access 100% of their estimated Universal Credit payment upfront. They ensure nobody has to wait for a payment in Universal Credit and those who need it are able to receive financial support as soon as possible. Claimants can receive up to 100% of their estimated Universal Credit award if required, resulting in 25 payments over a 24-month period.</p><p> </p><p>For (a) and (b), no such assessment has been made.</p><p> </p><p>(c) We currently estimate the cost of non-repayable advances to be between £2bn - £2.7bn annually between 2020/21 and 2024/25. Even with a verification check two weeks after a claim has been made, the introduction of non-repayable advances would very likely lead to significantly increased fraud in the welfare system, as well as an administrative burden to carry out the extra verification checks.</p><p> </p><p>We have numerous provisions available to support victims of abuse, for example urgent payments and referrals to expert organisations. We provide a tailored service that recognises those with complex needs at any point throughout their journey and ensures appropriate support is quickly made available: a fundamental principle in the delivery of Universal Credit</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 07/06/2021 16:02:08 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1327896

registered interest
date	25/05/2021
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 May 2021 to Question 2925 on Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse, whether her Department has made an assessment of the ease of access to information that universal credit claimants can request an urgent payment as a loan.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
uin	7124
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Advances are not loans. They are a claimant’s benefit entitlement paid early, allowing claimants to access 100% of their estimated Universal Credit payment upfront. With an advance, claimants receive an additional UC payment, resulting in 25 payments over a 24-month period.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit Work Coaches advise claimants on access to advances of monies from Universal Credit to support them pending their Universal Credit payment being received. A range of other support is available across the Department for those impacted by domestic abuse.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 07/06/2021 12:54:13 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1327899

registered interest
date	25/05/2021
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the problem of claimants of universal credit (a) having their application for that benefit delayed and (b) being unable to make that claim as a result of their abusers withholding required documentation.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
uin	7125
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Jobcentres have staff trained to support victims of abuse and can direct them to specialist organisations who can offer further support.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants who are unable to provide documentary evidence can undergo a biographical test. Biographical questions are generated onto a <a href="https://intranet.dwp.gov.uk/file/256798/download" target="_blank">BIO template</a> using information held on the Customer Information System (Searchlight). This can be done by telephone or in person at a Jobcentre, and it does not cause any delay as it can be done within the first Assessment Period.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Flexible Support Fund can be used to support the claimant obtain new ID in the form of duplicate driving licences, birth certificates etc, and can help with opening new bank accounts if necessary.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants can also receive an urgent payment of their estimated Universal Credit award if required, resulting in 25 payments over a 24-month period.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 07/06/2021 15:27:12 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1315867

registered interest
date	18/05/2021
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the five week wait for universal credit claimants who are fleeing domestic violence.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
uin	2925
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2021 answer text <p>Nobody has to wait for a payment in Universal Credit (UC). Urgent payments are available which allows claimants to receive up to 100% of their estimated UC payment upfront. These payments are designed to ensure that the most vulnerable claimants receive the money they need to live on during their transition to UC. Claimants have the option to spread twenty-five UC payments over twenty-four months, giving them more flexibility over the payments of their UC award.</p><p /><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 24/05/2021 13:22:34 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1241284

registered interest
date	07/10/2020
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the merits of bringing forward proposals to amend universal credit regulations to allow her Department to apply discretion on the recovery of advance loans taken out by domestic abuse victims under duress.
tabling member constituency	Brent North
tabling member printed	Barry Gardiner
uin	100279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>The Government is fully committed to the prevention of abuse and the Department for Work and Pensions has a range of measures designed to support people who flee violent and abusive households.</p><p> </p><p>If a Universal Credit claimant has been forced into claiming an advance through domestic abuse, we would urge the claimant to talk to the Department about this. If the advance was taken whilst part of a couple claim, 50% of the outstanding balance would be apportioned upon pursuing a single claim. Additionally, the Department offers deferrals of advance repayments by up to 3 months in exceptional circumstances and will apply discretion wherever possible with the rates of repaying other government debts. A range of other support is available across the Department for those impacted by domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-violence-and-abuse-help-from-dwp/help-available-from-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-for-people-who-are-victims-of-domestic-violence-and-abuse#universal-credit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-violence-and-abuse-help-from-dwp/help-available-from-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-for-people-who-are-victims-of-domestic-violence-and-abuse#universal-credit</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department will continue to look at ways to further support the victims of domestic abuse.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 12/10/2020 15:28:55 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	146 label Biography information for Barry Gardiner

1240188

registered interest
date	05/10/2020
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the portal through which joint claims for Universal Credit are made allows each partner to see all of the messages between the Department for Work and Pensions and either partner; and if so, what assessment they have made as to the potential impact of that access on the risk of domestic abuse.
tabling member printed	Baroness Sherlock
uin	HL8771
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants, including those who are, or are at risk of becoming victims of domestic abuse. In such instances, our immediate priority is to ensure that claimants receive appropriate practical assistance through Universal Credit (UC).</p><p> </p><p>The UC journal facilitates digital communication of routine information, allowing both the Department and claimants to communicate with one another. Although each partner can see the journal messages, to safeguard all our claimants, we ask that the journal is not used to share sensitive information.</p><p> </p><p>All claimants have a named Case Manager or Work Coach which they can contact through the Freephone UC helpline or face to face in Jobcentres. These channels allow the Department to provide more immediate and bespoke support to the vulnerable partner without risk of the interaction being captured on the journal and viewed by the partner.</p><p> </p><p>All UC staff receive training on complex needs, including on identifying and supporting victims of abuse and signposting to expert partner organisations, such as Women's Aid. They also have access to the latest guidance on domestic abuse and Alternative Payment Arrangements, including how to instigate Split Payments, which allows UC payments to be divided between different people within the same claim.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentres across the country work closely with partner organisations and stakeholders and have escalation routes to provide local community based, joined up services. We will continue to maintain these strong relationships to ensure we continue to support our most vulnerable claimants.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 14/10/2020 13:42:40 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	4147 label Biography information for Baroness Sherlock

1139814

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
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: Domestic Abuse
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 collects on needs of claimants of universal credit that are survivors of domestic abuse.
tabling member constituency	Rotherham
tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
uin	278515
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department is sensitive to the fact that it can be difficult for any victim of domestic abuse to come forward and disclose this. Universal Credit claimants are assigned to a single Work Coach, with whom they can build a trusting relationship. All of our work coaches have received mandatory training, developed with input from domestic abuse charities in order to help them recognise the signs of abuse. If it becomes apparent that a claimant has been, or is a victim of domestic abuse, as soon as they feel able to disclose this personal and sensitive information, a discussion should take place about their circumstances to enable their work coach to tailor the support they provide to their needs. This includes signposting the claimant to expert organisations. Almost all Jobcentres have private rooms available so that individuals can discuss these sensitive issues in private.</p><p> </p><p>With the permission of the claimant, their Work Coach is able to record the information they disclose, in a free text format, through the use of pinned notes, which supports staff in identifying and managing relevant experiences and circumstances of individual claimants.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/07/2019 11:31:20 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1139815

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on the development of universal credit management systems to enable the collation of the number of domestic violence easements.
tabling member constituency	Rotherham
tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
uin	278516
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>We are continuing to develop our approach to capture accurate, aggregate data on vulnerable claimants, including those who are victims of domestic and economic abuse. This work is ongoing and has been prioritised for the current Universal Credit development phase. This involves us meeting with claimants and expert users such as third parties and Work Coaches to see how people will respond to being asked about their circumstance and support they may require. We are also working on how we can use the Claimant Commitment to capture information about when easements have been applied for claimants.</p><p> </p><p>We are also implementing other improvements across our service for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and in response to one of the Joint Committee’s recommendations on the Domestic Abuse Bill, we have committed to review and evaluate the effectiveness of a new feature to encourage payments of UC to the main carer and the introduction of domestic abuse specialists in every Jobcentre.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/07/2019 11:53:32 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1127204

registered interest
date	16/05/2019
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2019 to Question 253698 on Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse, what progress has been made on establishing the practicalities of delivering separate payments in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	255374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The development of a detailed policy to split payments of Universal Credit in Scotland is something for the Scottish Government to determine.</p><p> </p><p>Any policy has to be capable of implementation and as a consequence must fit with the existing architecture of the system if it is not to undermine system stability for all claimants across Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>Scottish Government final proposals have not yet been shared with the Government. We welcome the great care Scottish Government is taking with this.</p><p> </p><p>When a comprehensive set of proposals has been decided upon by the Scottish Government, we will provide advice on timing and implementation dates, with regard to the wider plan to deliver Universal Credit and the relative priorities of split payment proposals against other demands.</p><p> </p><p>Officials from both Governments continue to explore these issues together to see if a workable solution to the many issues raised can be found.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/05/2019 12:50:22 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley