Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on the use of universal credit split payments; and if she has supplied the Scottish Government with indicative costs.

DWP and the Scottish Government have had early discussions about the Scottish Government’s split payment policy and will be holding an initial workshop in the near future. Currently, Universal Credit Alternative Payment Arrangements for split payments are available for vulnerable claimants.

We are unable to provide indicative costs until the design has been agreed.