Universal Credit takes 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 the employer during the assessment period, regardless of when they were paid, or which month they relate to.<\/p>
Assessment periods allow for Universal Credit awards to be adjusted on a monthly basis, ensuring that if claimants\u2019 incomes fall, they do not have to wait several months for a rise in their Universal Credit award.<\/p>
Claimants can discuss queries about how fluctuating income effects Universal Credit with their case managers and work coaches, who can also signpost to services appropriate to individual circumstances.<\/p>
The Department has been working closely with HMRC since Universal Credit went live to support and inform employers who report earnings to emphasise the importance of timely reporting via the Real Time Information (RTI) system.<\/p>
HMRC have updated their guidance to reiterate to employers the importance of reporting accurate dates and the impact on payment cycles; the Financial Secretary to the Treasury is also working closely with HMRC and employers to do this.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-03T14:24:24.683Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of reports that people who are paid on the last day of the month are incorrectly showing on the HMRC database as having been paid on the first working day of the month on the ability of her Department to correctly assess an individual\u2019s entitlement to benefits; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "281024"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141279", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141279/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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>
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>
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>
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.\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> Assessment Period<\/p><\/td> % with arrears deductions<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 1<\/p><\/td> 1.7%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2<\/p><\/td> 3.1%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 3<\/p><\/td> 4.3%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 4<\/p><\/td> 5.1%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 5<\/p><\/td> 6.1%<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 6<\/p><\/td> 6.7%<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> Notes<\/strong><\/p> 1. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service.<\/p> 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest per cent.<\/p> 3. Figures included arrears for gas, electric, water, rent and service charges<\/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>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-03T15:52:39.273Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
], "uin" : "280971"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141281", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141281/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The attached table shows the amount deducted from Universal Credit claims in (a) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) the Poplar and Limehouse parliamentary constituency in each month since April 2017 to May 2019, which is the latest month that data is available for.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4423", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Will Quince"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Colchester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Will Quince"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141281/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "PQ280902 data.xlsx"}
, "title" : "280902 data"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-03T16:36:28.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: Greater London"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2019 to Question 224493, how much has been deducted from universal credit claimants' standard allowance in (a) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) Poplar and Limehouse constituency in each month since April 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/197", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Fitzpatrick"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Poplar and Limehouse"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Fitzpatrick"}
], "uin" : "280902"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141420", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141420/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Latest published information shows that in 2018, there were 14,502 residents in the London Borough of Sutton aged 75 or over.<\/p> <\/p> This information is published and available at NOMIS:<\/p> <\/p> https://www.nomisweb.co.uk<\/a><\/p> <\/p> Of this, 14% (2,084) claim Pension Credit.<\/p> <\/p> This information is published and available at Stat-Xplore:<\/p> <\/p> https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk<\/a><\/p> <\/p> Guidance for users is available at:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> 2014/15<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015/16<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2016/17<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2017/18<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> £m<\/strong><\/p><\/td> £m<\/strong><\/p><\/td> £m<\/strong><\/p><\/td> £m<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> PP Collection Charge<\/p><\/td> 20%<\/p><\/td> 1.649<\/p><\/td> 5.573<\/p><\/td> 10.494<\/p><\/td> 16.878<\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> RP Collection Charge<\/p><\/td> 4%<\/p><\/td> 0.325<\/p><\/td> 1.086<\/p><\/td> 2.026<\/p><\/td> 3.241<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/p> The 2018/19 Child Maintenance Service Annual Report and Accounts have not been audited yet so we are unable to include figures from this period in PQ responses.<\/p> Income received is used to offset the administration cost of the Child Maintenance Group.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mims Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastleigh"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mims Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-03T13:24:44.613Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Child Maintenance Service"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much her Department has collected through the Child Maintenance Service's (a) four per cent and (b) twenty per cent collection fees under Collect and Pay in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"}
], "uin" : "281113"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141444", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141444/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Income received from the Child Maintenance Service £20 Application fee from 2014/15 through to 2017/18 is as follows:<\/p> <\/p> 2014/15 £0.828m<\/p> 2015/16 £1.692m<\/p> 2016/17 £1.799m<\/p> 2017/18 £1.520m<\/p> <\/p> The 2018/19 Child Maintenance Service Annual Report and Accounts have not been audited yet so we are unable to include figures from this period in PQ responses.<\/p> Income received is used to offset the administration cost of the Child Maintenance Group.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mims Davies"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastleigh"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mims Davies"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-03T12:58:50.367Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Child Maintenance Service"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much revenue her Department has collected through the Child Maintenance Service's £20 application fee in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"}
], "uin" : "281114"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141485", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1141485/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC in June 2020.<\/p> The government and the BBC agreed at the time that this was a fair deal for the BBC. The BBC benefited as the government closed the iPlayer loophole and committed to increase the licence fee in line with inflation. And to help with financial planning, the government agreed to provide phased transitional funding over 2 years to introduce the cost to the BBC.<\/p> This reform was subject to public discussion and debated extensively during the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017 through Parliament.<\/p> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> Caseload (thousands)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015-16<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2016-17<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2017-18<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> (a) Kirklees borough <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 26.2<\/p><\/td> 27.1<\/p><\/td> 27.4<\/p><\/td><\/tr> (b) Dewsbury constituency <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 6.6<\/p><\/td> 6.9<\/p><\/td> 7.0<\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> Expenditure (£m) (Nominal)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2015-16<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2016-17<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2017-18<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> (a) Kirklees borough <\/strong><\/p><\/td> £3.73<\/p><\/td> £3.78<\/p><\/td> £3.94<\/p><\/td><\/tr> (b) Dewsbury constituency <\/strong><\/p><\/td> £0.95<\/p><\/td> £0.96<\/p><\/td> £1.01<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-09-03T15:27:52.057Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Television Licences: Kirklees"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of free television licences issued to residents in (a) Kirklees borough and (b) Dewsbury constituency in each of the last three years; and what the total annual value of those licences was.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4426", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paula Sherriff"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dewsbury"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paula Sherriff"}
], "uin" : "281135"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140791", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140791/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department is committed to supporting vulnerable claimants, such as those with mental health conditions. We understand that these claimants may face extra challenges in their lives. Universal Credit is designed to target resources at those that need them most and to provide support for people who cannot work or need extra help moving towards the labour market.<\/p> If a claimant is unable to complete their business transaction through any other channel, a referral for a visit is sent to DWP Visiting. The majority of DWP Visiting work takes place in claimants\u2019 homes, however appointments can be arranged at an alternative place such as a hospital or low secure unit.<\/p> We recognise the importance of understanding how a mental health condition impacts someone\u2019s ability to prepare for and look for work. That is why we have developed a range of specialised mental health training for work coaches and increased the number of Disability Employment Advisers who can provide additional support where needed.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> The Department is committed to the provision of a safe and healthy working environment for employees and claimants, therefore all our visits, irrespective of location, are individually risk assessed which determines the most appropriate means of engagement.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-26T10:25:13.84Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: Mental Illness"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 May 2019 on Universal Credit: Mental Illness, whether her Department provides support visits for benefit claimants in secure psychiatric settings.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4433", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Thangam Debbonaire"}
], "uin" : "280236"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140856", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140856/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "