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1189019

registered interest
date	21/04/2020
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	Department for Work and Pensions: Written Questions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to respond to Question 30815 of 17 March 2020 from the hon. Member for Edinburgh East.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh East
tabling member printed	Tommy Sheppard
uin	38568
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>Students who do not ordinarily have entitlement to Universal Credit (UC) and who receive a maintenance loan or grant through the student finance system, will continue to be able to draw upon this financial support until the end of this academic year.</p><p>Those who do not receive student finance and who would ordinarily not have entitlement to UC, such as those undertaking a part-time course which would otherwise not be considered as compatible with the requirements for them to look for and be available for work, will have entitlement to UC. We have disapplied UC and both legacy and new style JSA work preparation, work search and availability requirements and related sanctions. This will initially be for a three-month period. After three months, consideration will be given as to whether a further extension is required.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 27/04/2020 09:18:39 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4453 label Biography information for Tommy Sheppard

1188211

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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 her Department has made of the effect of upfront childcare costs under the childcare element of universal credit on maternal employment rates.
tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
uin	37733
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The Department has not made an assessment of the effect of upfront childcare costs on maternal employment rates and it would require disproportionate costs to do so.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that high childcare costs can affect parents’ decisions to take up paid work or increase their working hours. Working families claiming Universal Credit can therefore reclaim up to 85 per cent of their eligible childcare costs each month up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children. Eligible claimants can also get help from the Flexible Support Fund with initial up-front fees and advance costs as they move into work. Alternatively, help with upfront costs may also be available through Budgeting Advances.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/04/2020 16:19:59 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1188295

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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: Staffordshire
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 ability of claimants in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Kidsgrove and (c) Talke to access universal credit online.
tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
tabling member printed	Jonathan Gullis
uin	37767
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The Department has taken a ‘digital-first’ approach to providing and delivering services, ensuring we make best use of technology to deliver a modern and effective working-age welfare system. This allows our staff to concentrate on those people who require additional support through different channels.</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: <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>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. In addition, Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have been delivering the ‘Help to Claim’ service 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 currently available online and by telephone.</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><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/04/2020 10:54:31 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4814 label Biography information for Jonathan Gullis

1188304

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional resources her Department is allocating to ensure the timely processing of new claims for universal credit during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
uin	37774
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The Department is doing all we can to deal with exceptional levels of demand. Our priority is ensuring people get their benefit payments and that we can continue to support those who need them most. The Department has mobilised robust business continuity plans to ensure we can do just that. We are already redeploying 10,000 staff from other parts of DWP and are also recruiting additional staff to assist with the processing of claims, including support from other government departments and the private sector.</p><p> </p><p>We have also introduced new processes to ease pressure on waiting times for identity verification over the phone and other processes. People making new claims for Universal Credit no longer need to call the Department as part of the process. Once they have completed their online application we will call them if we need to check any of the information they have given us</p><p> </p><p>The Universal Credit system is facing extraordinary pressures exerted by the unprecedented volume of new claims, but it is standing up to this challenge. The agility of the system means that capacity can be built rapidly and this has enabled it to cope in the face of demand which would have overwhelmed the complex legacy benefit regime.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/04/2020 16:40:28 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1188389

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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: Students
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government plans to extend eligibility for universal credit to full-time students in higher education during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
uin	37828
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2020 answer text <p>Students who do not ordinarily have entitlement to Universal Credit (UC) and who receive a maintenance loan or grant through the student finance system, will continue to be able to draw upon this financial support until the end of this academic year.</p><p>Those who do not receive student finance and who would ordinarily not have entitlement to UC, such as those undertaking a part-time course which would otherwise not be considered as compatible with the requirements for them to look for and be available for work, will have entitlement to UC. We have disapplied UC and both legacy and new style JSA work preparation, work search and availability requirements and related sanctions. This will initially be for a three-month period. After three months, consideration will be given as to whether a further extension is required.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 30815 34925 question first answered 23/04/2020 15:37:16 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1188560

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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 formula her Department uses to calculate universal credit payments for couples; and whether she has plans to review that formula.
tabling member constituency	Chesterfield
tabling member printed	Mr Toby Perkins
uin	37583
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The rate of standard allowance in universal credit for single claimants and couples is set each year by the government after a review of the level of benefit that a claimant may receive. The rates for universal credit were originally based on the corresponding rates within Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.</p><p> </p><p>The standard rate in Universal Credit has been temporarily increased for the 20/21 tax year by £86.67 per month (equivalent to £20 per week) on top of the planned annual uprating. This additional increase means claimants will be up to £1040 better off.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/04/2020 11:02:05 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	3952 label Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins

1188703

registered interest
date	20/04/2020
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, when her Department plans to review the wording of system-generated letters to universal credit claimants.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
tabling member printed	David Linden
uin	37976
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>The Department has recently experienced a large increase in Universal Credit claims as a result of COVID-19 outbreak and our priority is to ensure benefit payments are made on time to provide financial support.</p><p>We recognise our claimants have a diverse range of circumstances and requirements, so our system-generated letters are designed to be clear and easy to understand. They can be supplied in alternative formats, such as large print or Braille, which are best suited to an individual's circumstances where required. Contact details are provided in each letter issued, allowing questions and/or queries to be directed to the right team or person within the Department. This is in addition to the online messaging function within the Universal Credit journal.</p><p>The Department maintains a range of standardised Universal Credit letters to ensure claimants notifications are consistently and efficiently delivered. We regularly review our communication products and are always seeking to improve how we engage with our claimants.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/04/2020 10:41:57 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1187846

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: Coronavirus
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 suspend repayment of all universal credit advances during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
tabling member printed	Stuart C McDonald
uin	35000
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2020 answer text <p>As part of the Government’s strategy to support people affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency, DWP is making a number of changes to its benefit processes to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit New Claims Advances are available to support those in immediate financial need until their first Universal Credit payment is made and the Department is committed to delivering advances as soon as possible to claimants who have requested them. Face-to-face checks for Universal Credit advances have been suspended and claimants can apply for an advance by phone or online without attending their Jobcentre.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit is already much more generous than the legacy benefit system it replaces. From 6<sup>th</sup> April 2020, we have increased the standard allowance for everyone by over £80 a month for one year. This is on top of the existing 1.7% increase already announced. The increase in the Universal Credit standard allowance provides additional support to claimants in order to help them manage the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the repayment of new claim advances.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has reduced the maximum deduction from 40% to 30% of a claimant’s standard allowance from October 2019 and this will be further reduced to 25% from October 2021. The repayment time for advances has already been extended from 6 months to 12 months, and will be further extended to 24 months from October 2021.</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. Any adjustment to repayments will be based on the individual circumstances of the claimant.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 22/04/2020 12:57:28 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince previous answer version 16491 answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4393 label Biography information for Stuart C McDonald

1187874

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: Students
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she is putting in place during the covid-19 outbreak to support students in part-time work who are unable to claim universal credit.
tabling member constituency	North Durham
tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
uin	34925
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2020 answer text <p>Students who do not ordinarily have entitlement to Universal Credit (UC) and who receive a maintenance loan or grant through the student finance system, will continue to be able to draw upon this financial support until the end of this academic year.</p><p>Those who do not receive student finance and who would ordinarily not have entitlement to UC, such as those undertaking a part-time course which would otherwise not be considered as compatible with the requirements for them to look for and be available for work, will have entitlement to UC. We have disapplied UC and both legacy and new style JSA work preparation, work search and availability requirements and related sanctions. This will initially be for a three-month period. After three months, consideration will be given as to whether a further extension is required.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 30815 37828 question first answered 23/04/2020 15:37:16 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince previous answer version 16495 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513
tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1187484

registered interest
date	24/03/2020
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: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for universal credit were made on each of the last 30 days.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	34356
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Universal Credit system has demonstrated its resilience and ability to deal with large increase in applications, ensuring we provide financial help to those in need. Using technology and automation Universal Credit delivers a modern and effective working-age welfare system, allowing our staff to concentrate on those people who require additional support. This approach is currently allowing us to continue to process new applications online and by telephone without the need to visit a Jobcentre.</p><p>The most recent scheduled Universal Credit statistical release surrounding the caseload volume was on 21 April 2020: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/universal-credit-29-april-2013-to-12-march-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/universal-credit-29-april-2013-to-12-march-2020</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/04/2020 17:00:45 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray