Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Universal Credit Roll-out

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

  • The Department has supported nearly 6 million claimants since the start of the pandemic.
  • Universal credit roll-out was completed nationwide in December 2018.
  • The Minister praised universal credit for its success in ensuring full and timely payments during the pandemic.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the progress of universal credit implementation for those on legacy benefits during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Question

What progress her Department is making on the roll-out of universal credit to eligible claimants and people on legacy benefits during the coronavirus outbreak?

Answer from Will Quince

Since the start of the pandemic, the welfare safety net has been there to support nearly 6 million claimants. Parliament has voted for universal credit and to end legacy benefits. The nationwide roll-out of universal credit was successfully completed in December 2018, and we are committed to ensuring that those on legacy benefits move across in a safe and secure way.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific progress on the roll-out for people still on legacy benefits during the pandemic

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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP praises the success of universal credit during the pandemic, questioning why the system should be scrapped given its clear benefits to millions of people.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. It is quite clear that, during the coronavirus pandemic, alongside our massive vaccine programme and world-leading support of £4,000 a head—£280 billion in total—universal credit has been a real success. I praise the officials in Crook and Consett in my constituency for the work they have done. Does the Minister agree that the last thing we should be doing is moving to scrap universal credit, which is a system that is really helping thousands of my constituents? Does this not show how out of touch the Opposition are, when this system is benefiting millions of people across the country at this incredibly difficult time?

Answer from Will Quince

I completely agree; universal credit is a modern, dynamic, agile and fairer welfare safety net, which, in the face of unprecedented demand, ensured that millions of people were paid in full and on time. This is a system that, by any measure, has passed the most challenging of tests, supporting nearly 6 million vulnerable people through this pandemic.

Answered
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