PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Universal Credit (21 October 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish data on the size of deductions being made from claimants' universal credit entitlements as a result of debts to the public purse by (a) gross sum and (b) percentage of the claimants' standard allowance as of 21 October 2021.

Asked by:
Jonathan Reynolds (Labour)

For Universal Credit claims with a payment due during May 2021, £139,400,000 was deducted towards an Advance or Government debt. On average, claimants with these deductions paid 15% of their Standard Allowance.

New claimants with new claim and benefit transfer advances now have the option to spread twenty-five Universal Credit payments over twenty-four months.

Customers can contact the Department if they are experiencing financial hardship to discuss a reduction in their rate of repayment, depending on their financial circumstances, whilst work coaches can also signpost claimants to other financial support.

1) Data for May 2021 has been provided in line with the latest available UC Household Statistics.

2) Government debt includes: DWP Benefit Overpayment (fraud and non-fraud), Tax Credit Overpayment (fraud and non-fraud), Housing Benefit Overpayment (fraud and non-fraud), Social Fund Loan, Recoverable Hardship Payment, Administrative Penalty, Civil Penalty, Eligible Loan Deductions, Integration Loan.

3) Figures are provisional and are subject to retrospective change as later data becomes available.

4) Amount deducted rounded to the nearest £100,000 and percentage rounded to the nearest percentage.

Answered by:
David Rutley (Conservative)
26 October 2021