Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit: £20 Covid-19 Payment

Monday 19 October 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions discussed the 20 per week increase for universal credit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The policy on ending the suspension of the minimum income floor for self-employed universal credit claimants is still under review.
  • The Select Committee's report recommends new starter payments for universal credit claimants and extending the 20 per week increase.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the difference in benefits between Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit.

Question

I am concerned that jobseeker's allowance has not been increased by £20 per week as universal credit was. If she will increase jobseeker's allowance by £20 per week in line with universal credit.

Answer from Therese Coffey

The 2020-21 universal credit increase was included in a package of welfare measures worth around £9.3 billion this year to help people with the financial consequences of what has happened with the covid-19 pandemic. I continue to work with the Treasury on the best ways to support those receiving benefits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about increasing Jobseeker's Allowance by £20 per week was not addressed.

How: Under Review, Continuing To Work

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Q2 Rosie Cooper Lab
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The policy of suspending the minimum income floor for self-employed Universal Credit claimants is due to expire on November 13.

Question

Does the Secretary of State still intend to end the suspension of the minimum income floor for self-employed universal credit claimants, which is due to expire on 13 November?

Answer from Therese Coffey

That policy is still under review. Clearly, this is a matter of discussion, because the regulations do come to an end. It is important to recognise that we have different measures happening around different parts of the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about ending the suspension was not addressed.

How: Under Review, Discussion

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Q3 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Select Committee's report calls for new starter payments to claimants of Universal Credit and a permanent £20 per week increase.

Question

The Select Committee's report published today calls for new starter payments to claimants of universal credit to help tide them over the very difficult five-week wait for their first regular benefit payment, and for the £20 a week increase, which the Secretary of State has referred to, to be made permanent. How can it possibly be justified for people claiming jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance to receive £20 a week less than people in identical circumstances who happen to be claiming universal credit?

Answer from Therese Coffey

On what happened with legacy benefits and universal credit, I think the rationale was set out clearly at the time; in particular, it was also about having a rate that was quite similar to statutory sick pay. We will look carefully at the report that the right hon. Gentleman and his Committee have issued to us today.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about addressing disparity and implementing recommendations was not fully addressed.

How: Rationale Set Out, Look Carefully At

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