Oral Answers to Questions

Alex Cunningham Excerpts
Monday 15th October 2018

(5 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alok Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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As I said, when I go to jobcentres, it is very clear to me that they are working extremely hard in engaging and in letting claimants know things ahead of time, and indeed in engaging with local Members of Parliament. I hope the hon. Lady has had a chance to visit her jobcentre. If she wants to have a detailed discussion about this, I am very happy to have a discussion with her after these oral questions.

Alex Cunningham Portrait Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)
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8. What assessment her Department has made of recent trends in the average level of household debt for people in receipt of universal credit.

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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A truly memorable day.

Alongside the personalised and tailored support of universal credit, claimants have access to extended childcare support, increases in the personal tax allowance and the introduction of the national living wage. For those transferring from legacy benefits, there is an additional two weeks of housing benefit support.

Alex Cunningham Portrait Alex Cunningham
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It is all too easy for people to fall into debt with universal credit failures. My constituent Kayley Aithwaite gets paid on the last working day of each month, meaning she had two lots of wages considered in the last calculation period, and was denied her usual universal credit. How common is this particular problem and what is the Minister going to do about it?

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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I thank the hon. Gentleman. Universal credit is designed to mirror the world of work, with monthly payments. It is far better that, through the personalised and tailored support of their individual work coach, claimants are able to be given the support to navigate that now and not on the first day of entering work.