{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_page=0&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_page=0&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_metadata=all&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_page=0&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "isPartOf" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-06-06&_page=0&_properties=answer.isMinisterialCorrection,houseId,answer.answeringMember,uin,answer.answeringMember.label&_sort=answer.answeringMemberPrinted&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-06-11T14:06:31.06Z", "type" : "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint"}
    , "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128212", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128212/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-10T14:52:01.35Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_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, 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4662", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth George"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "High Peak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth George"}
      ], "uin" : "257510"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128213", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128213/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-06T17:06:52.84Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_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, 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4662", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth George"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "High Peak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth George"}
      ], "uin" : "257511"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128214", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128214/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-06T17:12:20.003Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_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, 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4662", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth George"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "High Peak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth George"}
      ], "uin" : "257512"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128306", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128306/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-10T15:11:08.45Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_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 proportion of universal credit claimants who have received an advance payment have had to delay their repayment for three months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4469", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angela Crawley"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lanark and Hamilton East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angela Crawley"}
      ], "uin" : "257557"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128322", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128322/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Applications for a Universal Credit advance payment can be made in person, by telephone or online depending on the claimant\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-10T14:31:16.91Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_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 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4469", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angela Crawley"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lanark and Hamilton East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angela Crawley"}
      ], "uin" : "257562"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128341", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128341/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Internal Management information shows that in April 2019, 80,000 payments of Universal Credit (UC) had a deduction applied to repay a UC overpayment (this figure does not include UC Advances and has been rounded to the nearest 10,000).<\/p><p> <\/p><p>It is not possible to show this figure as a percentage as the latest UC caseload data is only available as of 14<sup>th<\/sup> February 19. However, for context as of 14<sup>th<\/sup> February 19, 1.4m households received payments of UC.<\/p><p /><p>The Department ensures that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect claimants who have deductions from their benefit to repay overpayments. There are maximum rates of deduction that are set out in legislation, and if a claimant is struggling they can contact the Department\u2019s Debt Management Team to discuss lowering their repayment rate.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-10T15:03:56.973Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: Overpayments"}
      , "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, (a) how many and (b) what percentage of universal credit claimants had funds deducted for a universal credit overpayment in the most recent month for which data is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4662", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth George"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "High Peak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth George"}
      ], "uin" : "257575"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128342", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128342/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<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\u2019s 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. \u2018Last resort\u2019 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, \u2018last resort deductions\u2019 (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\u2019s 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>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-10T11:23:39.323Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_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, 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4662", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth George"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "High Peak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth George"}
      ], "uin" : "257576"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129153", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129153/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Statistics on demographics of those on Universal Credit, including age, gender and postcode area, can be found under the \u2018People on Universal Credit\u2019 dataset available at:<\/p><p><a href=\"https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/\" target=\"_blank\">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/<\/a><\/p><p> <\/p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:<\/p><p><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><p>Demographic data on Universal Credit claimants who received an advance is collected but is not published regularly as part of the official statistics. Data relating to advance payments associated with a UC award, rather than individual claimants, can be provided by region, constituency and local authority.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-06T16:00:59.02Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-03", "_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 information her Department holds on the demographic of (a) universal credit claimants and (b) universal credit claimants that have taken out an advance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "258968"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129155", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129155/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Data showing the proportion of the standard allowance which is being used to repay a Universal Credit (UC) advance which: (a) taken out an advance at a 40 per cent deduction rate and have been unable to pay back that advance within 12 months, (b) taken out an advance at a 40 per cent deduction rate and (c) taken out the maximum available advance at a 40 per cent deduction rate could only be supplied with analysis which would incur disproportionate cost to the Department.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The maximum amount of a UC advance a claimant can access is subject to them being able to repay it over 12 monthly payments at a rate of no greater than 40 per cent of their standard allowance (this will be reduced to 30 per cent from October 2019). However, there are reasons why the advance repayment may not be taken or may be taken at a lower amount from a claimant in any given month, such as:<\/p><p> <\/p><p>a. If they have insufficient Universal Credit left in payment, after reductions such as earnings, capital yield and other income are taken into account, then a reduced repayment will be taken or none at all, depending on the amount of UC payment they have left.<\/p><p>b. If they have a Fraud Penalty or Conditionality Sanction, the repayment of the advance will stop until these end.<\/p><p>c. If they experience an unexpected financial hardship then they can request a deferral of up to 3 months, during which time they will not make any advance repayments.<\/p><p>d. If their UC award ends, for whatever reason, they can renegotiate the repayment rate and period with Debt Management who will take into account their new financial circumstances.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-11T14:03:33.453Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-03", "_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 proportion of claimants of universal credit have (a) taken out an advance at a 40 per cent deduction rate and have been unable to pay back that advance within 12 months, (b) taken out at advance at a 40 per cent deduction rate and (c) taken out the maximum available advance at a 40 per cent deduction rate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "258970"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129156", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1129156/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. Claimants\u2019 circumstances are always taken into account when applying debt repayment thresholds to avoid undue hardship.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>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><p> <\/p><p>If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions, where it relates to benefit debt, a social fund loan or rent arrears, they can request that a reduction be considered. Similarly, if a claimant is having difficulty repaying a benefit overpayment, they can request a reconsideration of the amount that is being taken. Reductions are always based on the individual circumstances of the claimant, rather than the amount of the overpayment, which helps to ensure that a sustainable repayment plan based on affordability is put in place.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The claimant should provide reasonable evidence to support their request. This could include information about the household income and expenditure where hardship is claimed on financial grounds. Where hardship is claimed because either the claimant or a member of their family is seriously ill, they would need to provide supporting evidence to explain how or why recovery would be detrimental to the health or welfare of the claimant or their family.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>A Repayment Negotiation Framework based on the individual circumstances of the customer, rather than the size of the debt and repayment period has been developed. This makes the process much simpler, and ensures both on and off benefit customers are treated fairly. This framework is contained within the Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide which can be found on Gov.uk via the link below. The Repayment Negotiation Framework can be found on page 38, paragraph 5.68.<\/p><p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/616116/benefit-overpayment-recovery-guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/616116/benefit-overpayment-recovery-guide.pdf<\/a><\/p><p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-06T16:55:08.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-03", "_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, pursuant to answer of 20 May 2019 to Question 254733, what information her Department uses to verify the statement that 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.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve McCabe"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Selly Oak"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve McCabe"}
      ], "uin" : "258971"}
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