Universal Credit System Resilience Covid-19
2021-11-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
During the pandemic, there was significant pressure on the universal credit system with a surge in new claims.
What assessment has been made of the resilience of the universal credit system during the covid-19 outbreak?
The universal credit system stood up to the challenge of the pandemic, with over 100,000 new claims on one day alone, ten times the average. The old system would not have coped with this pressure.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The government announced changes to the universal credit taper rate and work allowances.
Could my right hon. Friend set out the timetable for the very welcome changes that she has made to the universal credit taper rate and to work allowances?
The Chancellor announced an increase in work allowances and a reduction of the taper rate to 55% no later than December 1. The latest information is that this change will occur from November 24, benefiting over 500,000 claimants.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The government ended the £20 uplift to universal credit during the pandemic.
Why would the Government reassure themselves that it is okay to plunge people into poverty, when they have done everything that the Government have asked them to do in terms of trying to find work? Why not just reintroduce that £20 payment?
The £20 uplift was a temporary measure due to pandemic conditions. The government has doubled work coaches and aims to help people get into work, believing this is the best way out of poverty.
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Assessment & feedback
Reintroduction of £20 payment
We Are Focusing On Getting People Back Into Work
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Harrogate was a location for the managed migration from legacy benefits pilot.
Is she able to update the House on how that is going? Before the pandemic, it was going very well indeed. Is she now in a position to recommence the pilot, or to move on to the next stage of the migration?
The Harrogate pilot provided valuable learnings. Due to these lessons, there is no immediate need to resume the pilot in Harrogate but it has informed our plan which remains under preparation.
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Assessment & feedback
Immediate resumption of the pilot in Harrogate
Not Envisaging A Need For The Pilot
Response accuracy