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1170209

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, under Universal Credit to stop the automatic deduction of a claimant’s debts from the standard rate of Universal Credit if creditors have agreed a reduction in the rate of repayment.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thomas of Winchester
uin	HL354
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2020 answer text <p>The Department’s deductions policy strikes a fair balance between a claimant’s need to meet their obligations and their ability to ensure they can meet their day-to-day needs. From October 2019, Universal Credit deductions have been reduced to 30% of a claimant’s standard allowance down from 40% to better achieve these objectives.</p><p> </p><p>Creditors can request debts to be collected through Universal Credit, typically where other repayment methods have been unsuccessful. We are led by the creditor, and at any time any creditor could inform us they wish to take back responsibility for collecting the debt from Universal Credit - such requests would trigger an end to deductions as soon as possible. The rate at which repayments are recovered from Universal Credit are set out in Schedule 6 to the Social Security Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013 – SI 2013/380.</p><p> </p><p>For any of the deductions laid out in the regulations, creditors can approach Universal Credit directly and typically there is no requirement for them to proactively get the claimant’s consent. Any requests for deductions are considered by the Department on an individual basis.</p><p> </p><p>Where recovery relates to benefit overpayments, this is managed in a sensitive way. Maximum deduction rates are set out in legislation (Regulation 11 of the Social Security (Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 2013) and where a claimant cannot afford the proposed rate of recovery they can contact the Department’s Debt Management team so this can be reviewed. If a reduction in the repayment rate is agreed, we will implement it quickly so that payments are adjusted accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is always developing our understanding on the impact deductions can have on claimants, and has heard evidence from external organisations on this issue. Ultimately, we have to balance these impacts with the need for claimants to meet their obligations.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 22/01/2020 12:54:57 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	3785 label Biography information for Baroness Thomas of Winchester

1170295

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the timeframe for each category of recipients of (a) legacy benefits and (b) tax credits that will be migrated to universal credit.
tabling member constituency	East Hampshire
tabling member printed	Damian Hinds
uin	2481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2020 answer text <p>Universal Credit is now available in every Jobcentre across the country, with a caseload of 2.7 million claimants, growing every month. This means more claimants than ever accessing the additional support and flexibilities it offers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Currently, most people move to Universal Credit because they have had a significant change in their circumstances which would previously have led them to make a new claim to a legacy benefit. Claimant circumstances within the legacy benefit system are diverse and interact with a range of benefits in different ways. Eligibility for Universal Credit is dependent on individuals’ circumstances, the specific nature of the change and rules for access to legacy benefits.</p><p>The Move to Universal Credit pilot commenced, as scheduled, in the area served by Harrogate Jobcentre in July 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has already committed to updating Parliament and stakeholders on progress. We expect to provide our first update in the Spring. We will also set out an evaluation strategy, developed in consultation with stakeholders, before coming to Parliament in the Autumn with the findings and our proposals for the next phase of the delivery of Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/01/2020 18:26:08 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds

1170408

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to reduce the five-week wait for universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
uin	2660
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text No one has to wait five weeks for their first payment. New claim advances are available to support those in financial need until their first payment is made.<p /><p /><p />Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, which they can pay back over a period of up to 12 months. We have announced that from October 2021, the repayment period for these advances will be extended further, to 16 months.<p /><p /><p>Our Work Coaches gauge claimants’ financial needs from their first interview. As part of this, every claimant is offered an advance payment on application. Proposed repayments of the advance are explained, and all claimants are advised to request a level of advance which is manageable both now and when considering the repayments required.</p><p />Work Coaches can also refer claimants to more specialist support for personal budgeting and money guidance if required.<p /><p /><p>The Department has delivered a number of improvements to support claimants during their first assessment period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.</p><p /><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 16/01/2020 17:19:51 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1170465

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
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 did not receive their December payment before Christmas day 2019.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	2679
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2020 answer text <p>The information requested surrounding the volume of Faster Payments made on 24 December 2019 is not readily available and to provide it would incur a disproportionate cost to the Department.</p><p>Universal Credit payments are issued on the same date every month throughout the year. This helps to ensure claimants manage a household budget effectively by knowing when to expect their payment.</p><p> </p><p>The Department’s banking system identifies when a payment date falls on a bank holiday or weekend, and will automatically issue the payment on the last working day before the bank holiday or weekend to ensure that claimants are not disadvantaged.</p><p> </p><p>We have substantial experience of making alternative payment arrangements where necessary, and publicise any changes through channels including Jobcentres and online at GOV.UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 2680 2681 3293 question first answered 21/01/2020 18:20:58 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1170467

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
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 took to ensure that universal credit claimants received their December payment before Christmas day 2019.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	2680
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2020 answer text <p>The information requested surrounding the volume of Faster Payments made on 24 December 2019 is not readily available and to provide it would incur a disproportionate cost to the Department.</p><p>Universal Credit payments are issued on the same date every month throughout the year. This helps to ensure claimants manage a household budget effectively by knowing when to expect their payment.</p><p> </p><p>The Department’s banking system identifies when a payment date falls on a bank holiday or weekend, and will automatically issue the payment on the last working day before the bank holiday or weekend to ensure that claimants are not disadvantaged.</p><p> </p><p>We have substantial experience of making alternative payment arrangements where necessary, and publicise any changes through channels including Jobcentres and online at GOV.UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 2679 2681 3293 question first answered 21/01/2020 18:20:58 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1170468

registered interest
date	13/01/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many payments of universal credit were made as a same-day payment on 24 December 2019.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	2681
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2020 answer text <p>The information requested surrounding the volume of Faster Payments made on 24 December 2019 is not readily available and to provide it would incur a disproportionate cost to the Department.</p><p>Universal Credit payments are issued on the same date every month throughout the year. This helps to ensure claimants manage a household budget effectively by knowing when to expect their payment.</p><p> </p><p>The Department’s banking system identifies when a payment date falls on a bank holiday or weekend, and will automatically issue the payment on the last working day before the bank holiday or weekend to ensure that claimants are not disadvantaged.</p><p> </p><p>We have substantial experience of making alternative payment arrangements where necessary, and publicise any changes through channels including Jobcentres and online at GOV.UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 2679 2680 3293 question first answered 21/01/2020 18:20:59 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1169806

registered interest
date	09/01/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
uin	1767
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>Universal Credit has now rolled out in every Jobcentre with a caseload of 2.7 million, growing every month, now able to access the additional support and flexibilities it offers. The latest data shows the proportion of all Universal Credit claims that received their full payment on time was over 95 per cent.</p><p> </p><p>The Universal Credit Full Service Claimant Survey (June 2018) shows that 9 months into a Universal Credit claim, 40 per cent of claimants are working for an employer in a paid role, as opposed to only 23 per cent at the start of their claim, and people on Universal Credit spend around 50% more time looking for a job than they did under Jobseeker’s Allowance. 86 per cent of people on Universal Credit were actively looking to increase their hours, compared to just 38 per cent of people on Jobseeker’s Allowance. This is because they can take on more hours without losing their benefit.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 17/01/2020 13:34:35 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1169827

registered interest
date	09/01/2020
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
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 job centres operate a universal credit full digital service.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	1665
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>Rollout of the Universal Credit Full Service was completed on 12 December 2018 and is available in every Jobcentre Plus.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit is a 24 hour, seven days a week, digital service that allows every claimant to manage their own data and account online at a time which is convenient for them. Claimants can check their Universal Credit benefit payments through their account, notify us of changes and record notes on the online journal facility.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit has been designed to be as quick and easy as possible for the user, ensuring that claimants receive money at the earliest opportunity. It is designed to be a ‘digital-first’ service, ensuring we make best use of technology to deliver a modern and effective working-age welfare system.</p><p> </p><p>Our Universal Credit Claimant Survey, found that 98 per cent of claimants have internet access and did claim online, and the majority of those said they found the claim process overall to be straightforward and this can be accessed at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-full-service-claimant-survey" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-full-service-claimant-survey</a></p><p> </p><p>All Jobcentre Plus offices across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available for claimants to access the internet. For those that are still unable to access or use digital services, or are not able to travel, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helpline – which is clearly displayed on GOV.UK.</p><p> </p><p>Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have been delivering the ‘Help to Claim’ service on a pilot basis since April 2019. The Citizens Advice ‘Help to Claim’ service offers tailored, practical support to help people make a Universal Credit claim up to receiving their first full correct payment on time, and is available online, on the phone and face-to-face through local Citizen’s Advice services.</p><p> </p><p>Although the Department offers comprehensive support for claimants to use our digital service, there will be occasions when people are unable to make their claim online, so telephone applications can be accepted. In these instances, information normally available through a claimant’s online account will be communicated in an alternative format, which is best suited to an individual’s circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 14/01/2020 17:54:53 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1169829

registered interest
date	09/01/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of universal credit applicants manage their claims primarily (a) online, (b) via telephone, (c) face-to-face, (d) in other ways; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	1666
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>To provide this information would incur a disproportionate cost to the Department.</p><p>Universal Credit is designed to be a ‘digital-first’ service, ensuring we make best use of technology to deliver a modern and effective working-age welfare system, allowing our staff to concentrate on those people who require additional support.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 14/01/2020 17:48:21 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1169830

registered interest
date	09/01/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Universal Support in helping people who are not digitally literate to make an online claim for universal credit; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	1667
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>The Department offers comprehensive support for claimants to use our digital service, but we recognise there will be occasions when people are unable to make and/or maintain their Universal Credit claim online, and so telephone and face to face support is available. In these instances, information normally available through a claimant’s online account, will be communicated in an alternative format which is best suited to an individual’s circumstances. The Help to Claim service, which replaced the previous “Universal Support” service was introduced on 1 April 2019 and is delivered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Help to Claim offers tailored, practical support to help people make their claim to Universal Credit and can work with claimants up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. It is available online, through a Freephone telephone number and face to face channels.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is committed to ensuring that delivery of support services, such as Help to Claim, is carefully monitored and evaluated to provide effective support to our most vulnerable claimants, whilst ensuring value to taxpayers.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 14/01/2020 17:45:16 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms