Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to assist universal credit claimants who are (a) illiterate or (b) innumerate.

Support is available to claimants to help them make the transition to Universal Credit. Universal Support is help for those who need assistance to manage their claim online and/or help with budgeting in order to manage their monthly payments and prioritise essential bills such as rent and utilities. Where claimants have no capability to make or manage their claim on-line, telephone and face to face support is available. Alternatively, an Appointee could make the claim on their behalf and maintain their online account.

We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people who claim UC, including how they are identified and supported both internally and via referral to local services delivered in partnership activity with other relevant agencies and organisations.

Identifying skills needs (sometimes called skills screenings) is an integral part of work coach meetings with claimants. This process involves observation and discussion to gather evidence on skills, qualifications, previous training and work history.

The information gathered determines whether the claimant has any potential skills gaps in relation to their individual job goals and jobs readily available in the local labour market.

Where further investigation is needed for potential basic skills needs (English/maths/ICT) claimants can be asked to complete the paper-based Fast Track Screening Tool. The tool is a short series of questions completed by the claimant and marked by the work coach to indicate potential basic skills needs.

Where a potential skills need is identified, the claimant can then be referred to an initial assessment with a learning provider (DfE funded through the Adult Education Budget) to confirm their skill level or alternatively referred for a more detailed assessment with the National Careers Service or equivalent in Scotland and Wales.

Work Coaches use the evidence gathered through the initial screening and subsequent provider assessment to decide what remedial training or other action is required to help the claimant find work.