Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1136530

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	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
	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 universal credit payments were subject to a deduction, excluding sanctions, in the latest month for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	272806
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>Of all eligible claims to Universal Credit Full Service due a payment in Feb 2019, 57 per cent (840,000 claims) had a deduction.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Notes</strong></p><p>Deductions include advance repayments and all other deductions, but exclude sanctions and fraud penalties which are reductions of benefit rather than deductions.</p><p>Claim numbers may not match official statistics caseloads due to small methodological differences.</p><p>Claim numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 12/07/2019 13:39:38 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1136531

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	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
	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 proportion of universal credit claimants who have a deduction for any arrears in the first month of their claim for the last month for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	272807
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>In February 2019, 2 per cent of claims which were due their first payment had a deduction for arrears.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Notes</strong></p><p>Figure relates to Universal Credit full service.</p><p>Figures are rounded to the nearest per cent.</p><p>Figures included arrears for gas, electric, water, rent and service charges.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 12/07/2019 13:29:50 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1136896

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	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
	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 publish the (a) forecast number of new claims for universal credit between April 2018 and March 2019, (b) date on which that forecast was made and (c) actual number of new claims made during that period.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	273365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not available as the Department does not forecast new claims to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>The actual number of claims made between April 2018 and March 2019 can be found under the ‘Claims to Universal Credit’ dataset available at: <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: <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> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 12/07/2019 14:01:25 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141279

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of universal credit claimants that have had a deduction as a result of arrears to their (a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, (e) fifth and (f) sixth universal credit payment in the most recent period for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	280971
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt, so last resort deductions can be applied to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their fuel supply (gas/electricity) cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential services. In these cases, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the claimant and their family, deductions may be taken above the 40 per cent limit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be considered</p><p> </p><p>The table below gives the proportion of claims in the first to sixth assessment periods, for which a deduction was taken relating to arrears in February 2019, the latest month which data is available for.  <strong>  </strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Assessment Period</p></td><td><p>% with arrears deductions</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1.7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>3.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>4.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>5.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>6.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>6.7%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><strong>Notes</strong></p><p>1. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service.</p><p>2. Figures are rounded to the nearest per cent.</p><p>3. Figures included arrears for gas, electric, water, rent and service charges</p><p>4. We would expect to see overall amount increasing as the caseload and number of claims with deductions increase, but the average over that time also decreases.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/09/2019 15:52:39 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1167656

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2019
	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
	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 it her policy to collect data on the number of home visits being proactively offered to claimants of universal credit that have (a) a cancer diagnosis and (b) other health needs that would require a home visit; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	8227
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The Department are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people, including those with a cancer diagnosis, who need to claim Universal Credit to ensure that it is supportive and responsive to their needs.</p><p> </p><p>Where claimants are unable to make or manage their Universal Credit claim online, telephone and face to face support in Jobcentres is available. Our staff already have the flexibility to respond to, or proactively suggest, that a home visit may be the best method of providing relevant support. The Department is committed to delivering what is right for a person’s circumstances and will conduct home visits when they are appropriate, recognising they are an important tool for those people with complex needs.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 05/11/2019 16:27:17 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1184670

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2020
	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, for what reasons maternity allowance is treated as unearned income and deducted from an award of universal credit award whereas statutory maternity pay is often disregarded in the calculation for that benefit as a result of the work allowance and 63 percent earnings taper rate; what assessment her Department has made of the financial effect of that policy on women on maternity allowance who apply for universal credit; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	28606
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2020 answer text <p>Statutory Maternity Pay is paid by an employer through their payroll system and is therefore a form of earnings subject to the work allowance (where a claimant is eligible) and tapering, in the same way as other earned income. Universal Credit seeks to take earnings into account in a way that is fair and transparent. The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period, including any earnings reported by their employer or employers during the assessment period, regardless of when they were paid, or which month they relate to.</p><p> </p><p>Assessment periods allow for Universal Credit awards to be adjusted on a monthly basis, ensuring that if a claimant’s income changes, they do not have to wait several months for a corresponding change in their Universal Credit award. Claimants can discuss the implications of any changes in earnings with their Case Manager or Work Coach and can be referred to personal budgeting support to help them manage their budgeting.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 28607 question first answered 17/03/2020 16:11:49 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1184671

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2020
	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, with reference to Maternity Action's briefing, Different treatment of Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay in the calculation of Universal Credit awards, published February 2020, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable treatment of pregnant women and new mothers in receipt of (a) maternity allowance and (b) statutory maternity pay who apply for universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	28607
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2020 answer text <p>Statutory Maternity Pay is paid by an employer through their payroll system and is therefore a form of earnings subject to the work allowance (where a claimant is eligible) and tapering, in the same way as other earned income. Universal Credit seeks to take earnings into account in a way that is fair and transparent. The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period, including any earnings reported by their employer or employers during the assessment period, regardless of when they were paid, or which month they relate to.</p><p> </p><p>Assessment periods allow for Universal Credit awards to be adjusted on a monthly basis, ensuring that if a claimant’s income changes, they do not have to wait several months for a corresponding change in their Universal Credit award. Claimants can discuss the implications of any changes in earnings with their Case Manager or Work Coach and can be referred to personal budgeting support to help them manage their budgeting.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 28606 question first answered 17/03/2020 16:11:49 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1184673

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2020
	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 women in receipt of (a) statutory maternity pay and (b) maternity allowance have applied for universal credit since 1 January 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	28608
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2020 answer text <p>In 2019, approximately 34,000 Universal Credit claims were made by households containing an individual who declared that they are receiving Maternity Allowance. This represents just under 1% of claims submitted over this time period.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 20/03/2020 15:04:04 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1187880

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2020
	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, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2020 to Question 28608, on Universal Credit, how many universal credit claims were made in 2019 by households containing a person that declared they are receiving Statutory Maternity Pay.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	34962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid by an employer through their payroll system and is therefore treated as a form of earnings for the purposes of assessing entitlement to Universal Credit. Any SMP received is subject to the work allowance (where a claimant is eligible) and tapering, in the same way as other earned income. The earnings data we receive does not allow the Department to identify earnings that include SMP.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit seeks to take earnings into account in a way that is fair and transparent. The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period, including any earnings reported by their employer or employers during the assessment period, regardless of when they were paid, or which month they relate to.</p><p> </p><p>Assessment periods allow for Universal Credit awards to be adjusted on a monthly basis, ensuring that if a claimant’s income changes, they do not have to wait several months for a corresponding change in their Universal Credit award. Claimants can discuss the implications of any changes in earnings with their Case Manager or Work Coach and can be referred to personal budgeting support to help them manage their budgeting.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 21/04/2020 16:27:46 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1247155

	registered interest
	date	30/10/2020
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect on rent arrears levels of the Government's policy of only allowing direct payments to landlords from universal credit claimants to commence once rent arrears have been amassed; if she will make it her policy to all enable universal credit claimants to choose to pay rent directly to their landlord from the start of their claim; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	109277
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>Payments to landlords are already available at any point of a Universal Credit claim, if the tenant is likely to have difficulty in managing their rent payments or is in arrears. Such arrangements can be requested by either the claimant or the landlord and are considered on a case by case basis.</p><p> </p><p>All Universal Credit claimants have the opportunity to discuss any concerns about how to budget their monthly payments with their work coach and/or via their UC Journal. UC staff will identify any financial issues the claimant has and signpost claimants to any relevant local face-to-face provision or support that is available and/or the Money Advice Service as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 09/11/2020 17:09:21 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas