Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Universal Credit

Monday 25 January 2021 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Universal Credit supported nearly 6 million people during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • Over 90% of new claimants received their first payment in full and on time.
  • The Department highlighted the effectiveness and agility of Universal Credit compared to the paper-based legacy system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Clarke Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from an assessment on how well Universal Credit supported people during the pandemic.

Question

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of universal credit in supporting people during the covid-19 outbreak. Thanks to its modern, dynamic system, Universal Credit effectively supported nearly 6 million people with over 90% of new claimants receiving their first payment in full and on time.

Answer from Will Quince

Thanks to Universal Credit's modern, dynamic and agile system, it has effectively supported nearly 6 million people, with over 90% of new claimants receiving their first payment in full and on time. This is in stark contrast to the paper-based legacy system.

Answered
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Q2 Simon Clarke Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question comes from visits to jobcentres in Guisborough and Loftus, highlighting the value staff sees in Universal Credit during the turbulent year.

Question

I have seen for myself on visits to the fantastic jobcentres in Guisborough and Loftus how the teams there really value universal credit, and how it has helped to support people over the last turbulent year. Will my hon. Friend reassure my constituents that there is no question of universal credit going anywhere, and does he agree that the Leader of the Opposition calling for it to be scrapped is simply the height of opportunism and irresponsibility?

Answer from Will Quince

The universal credit system and tens of thousands of dedicated, incredible DWP staff have processed an unprecedented number of claims—over 3 million since mid-March. The IFS slammed Labour's pledge to scrap UC as uncosted, unwise…expensive, disruptive and unnecessary. The Government believe that work should always pay and we need a welfare system that helps people into work, supports those who need it and is fair to those who pay for it. Remember: no Labour Government have ever left office with unemployment lower than when they started.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for reassurance that Universal Credit would not be scrapped but the answer focused more on criticising the opposition and their stance rather than providing a direct commitment or timeline to reassure constituents.

How: Criticizing The Opposition

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