Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the requirement that Universal Credit claimants applying for a Budgeting Advance must have earned less than a set income threshold in the past six months (a) for what reason that requirement was first put in place and (b) whether she plans to review that requirement in the context of the increases in the cost of living since 2013.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Budgeting Advances are available to help meet intermittent miscellaneous expenses, such as buying essential items like furniture or household equipment advances and ensure that low-income families that have an emergency financial need and do not have access to adequate savings or affordable loans can access funding to meet the emergency.
The earned income limit was put in place as those with income in the past 6 assessment periods could have the necessary means to help pay for these unexpected costs. The maximum advance provided to a claimant is also reduced pound for pound for any capital held in excess of £1,000.
Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 10 February 2022 to Question 118547 on Universal Credit, how many and what proportion of Universal Credit claimants were undertaking part-time training whilst in receipt of Universal Credit in the last three years; and how many people on Universal Credit took up full time short course training courses, excluding Kickstart, whilst in receipt of Universal Credit in the last three years.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Data relating to the number and proportion of claimants undertaking part-time and full time training is not centrally held.
Asked by: Margaret Greenwood (Labour - Wirral West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many weeks of work-focused study a universal credit recipient can undertake without losing their entitlement; what criteria were used to decide how many weeks of work-focused study a universal credit recipient can undertake without losing their entitlement; and what criteria are set out in guidance for Jobcentre Plus advisors to assist them in deciding whether a universal credit recipient can undertake work-focused study without losing their entitlement.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Through DWP Train and Progress, UC claimants may undertake a full-time course of non-advanced study or training (not above level 3) for up to 12 weeks. This allows claimants who would benefit to undertake additional L3 opportunities that form part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee in England (and devolved administration equivalents). This flexibility can be extended to up to 16 weeks to allow claimants to participate in DfE funded Skills Bootcamps. It should be noted that this initiative has been extended to April 2022.
UC claimants are able to take on part-time training for any level of course as long as they meet their work-related requirements and their Work Coach is satisfied it will fill a skills gap and will improve their prospects of moving into work more quickly. Where this is the case, the number of hours can be treated as a work preparation requirement and the time spent on the course can be deducted from the hours the claimant is expected to carry out work search activity. It should be noted that there is no limit on the length of part-time training claimants can undertake, in agreement with their Work Coach.
The criteria above is clearly set out in guidance for all Work Coaches to use in these circumstances.