Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who have applied for universal credit advance loan payments in the last 12 months; and how many of those applications were successful.
Answered by Lord Sharma
I refer the hon Member to the reply to Question 162992 on 16 July.
Additionally, our latest internal management information data as of July 2018 shows that over 60% of new claims currently receive either a ‘New Claim’ or ‘Benefit Transfer’ advance which shows claimants are getting the support they need.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the preparedness of digital systems to respond to a potential increase in the volume of universal credit claims during the process of managed migration.
Answered by Lord Sharma
Managed migration will begin in 2019, with small-scale testing to ensure that our process works well, before we increase the volume of migration in 2020. The Department is committed to ensuring that Universal Credit Full Service is rolled out safely and responsibly, which includes taking the appropriate time to test and learn to minimise risks in delivery and service. The IT system currently supports and pays over 1 million people each month, increasing in size fivefold over the course of the last year as we have expanded our services across the country.
The Universal Credit Full Service system achieved 99.997% availability for claimants in the last year, rivalling the performance of other leading digital services. We are building an agile, adaptable system, fit for the 21st century, to help people to transform their lives through work - while supporting those who cannot work and are most in need.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when her Department plans to complete its review of research on food banks carried out by organisations such as the Trussell Trust.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Department reviews on an ongoing basis the evidence from research carried out by different organisations, to add to its understanding of food bank use, and will consider requirements to add to its evidence base.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of jobcentre closures on the ease with which vulnerable people can manage their Universal Credit claims.
Answered by Lord Sharma
We are committed to retaining an extensive Jobcentre network, and continuing to support claimants across the country to make sure they can access the services they need. We continue to maintain the same level of service to claimants during any changes to the location of their Jobcentre. This includes taking into account their individual circumstances, including any health conditions, disabilities or caring responsibilities. We have robust procedures in place if visiting the Jobcentre becomes difficult, including the offer of home visits. We provide outreach services in partnership with national and local organisations to deliver Jobcentre services in a partner’s premises. Local jobcentres have the flexibility to work alongside organisations to help meet the needs of their communities, helping our most vulnerable, at risk, claimants to access the support they need.
Vulnerable claimants who are affected by Jobcentre closures remain supported by their Work Coach to ensure services are bespoke to the individual. A freephone telephone helpline and Universal Support is also available for claimants to make and manage a Universal Credit claim.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Universal Credit sanctions made to couples which are a result of only one member of a couple not meeting their claimant commitment.
Answered by Lord Sharma
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Where a couple claim Universal Credit reasonable and achievable conditionality requirements are agreed between the claimants and the work coach. The consequences of not meeting the requirements set out in the claimant commitment are fully explained to all claimants to ensure that they understand that this may result in a sanction.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of easements in benefit conditionality for claimants of universal credit experiencing domestic abuse.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
No assessment has been made by the Department.
Universal Credit allows Work Coaches to tailor conditionality, setting requirements based on what is reasonable in the individual’s circumstances. Where a claimant is experiencing domestic abuse, in discussion with the Work Coach, requirements can be tailored and in some circumstances switched off for an agreed period of time.
There are circumstances when a claimant’s work search and availability requirements must be switched off for an agreed period of time, and other work-related requirements can be lifted too where appropriate. This includes where the claimant has suffered domestic violence and abuse, or periods where a child in their care is suffering distress due to experiencing or witnessing violence or abuse.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the payments of rent to Housing Associations in cases where alternative payment arrangements are in place are regular and without delay.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Requests for Managed Payments to Landlords (MPTLs) are dealt with as a priority, and the majority of MPTL cases are processed within the assessment period in which they are received. The processing time of these requests is also regularly monitored.
We are currently rolling out the Landlord Portal and Trusted Partner status. Trusted Partner status allows social landlords to apply for a MPTL via the portal with the application accepted without challenge. Social landlords not on the portal can request MPTL from the start of the claim when completing the housing verification form.
We have listened to concerns from Social landlords about the payment process for Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) which are currently paid on a four weekly basis using the Third Party Payment system. We are working to address the issues this causes and developing a strategic solution. This is a priority for us and we understand the importance of a new payment system for the landlords who rely on it.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the effect of (a) the introduction of universal credit and (b) previous benefit systems on (a) full-time and (b) part-time disabled university students.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Most full time students in higher education do not qualify for benefits or tax credits. Universal Credit is no different, as students, including disabled students and those with health conditions, access fees and living costs to support their higher education courses through various loans and grants funded by the Department for Education.
However, if a person is in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits because of disability or ill health, they are not discouraged from taking up higher education that may help them in the future. If they take up a course and receive a student loan, tuition fees and cost of books are disregarded but maintenance costs are taken into account as student income.