House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit

Monday 9 March 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

Universal credit has been designed to be a digital-first service.
Help to Claim offers tailored practical support to help people claim Universal Credit.
The Department will do all it can to assist the Select Committee in its inquiry.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe Lab Hyndburn

Benefits & Welfare

Context

As universal credit is rolled out in various areas.

Question

Sara Britcliffe welcomes the use of new technology to help applicants, particularly in Hyndburn. She asks what support is available to ensure that applicants can make the best use of the new systems.

Answer from Will Quince

Universal credit has been designed to be a digital-first service, ensuring we make the best use of technology. The Department has implemented Help to Claim, which offers tailored practical support to help people claim Universal Credit. Additionally, all jobcentres have wi-fi and computers available for claimants.

Answered

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Q2 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham

Benefits & Welfare

Context

The Work and Pensions Committee chose to investigate the five-week delay in Universal Credit payments as its first major inquiry.

Question

Will he confirm that the Department will do all it can to assist the Select Committee in its inquiry into the five-week delay between applying for Universal Credit and being entitled to benefit?

Answer from The Minister for Families, Working Lives and Life Chances (Will Quince)

I thank the Chairman of the Select Committee for his question. I start from the premise that we do not believe anybody has to wait five weeks for a payment under universal credit. Advance payments are available at the beginning of a UC claim and budgeting support is available for anybody who needs extra help. We have the two-week roll-on of housing benefit, and as of July this year we will also have the two-week roll-on of other legacy benefits. I will of course look carefully at the findings of the report by the right hon Gentleman's Committee.