Universal Credit

(asked on 3rd May 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2018 to Question 139040, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the introduction of universal credit on levels of utility debt and arrears; and if she will make a statement.


Answered by
Alok Sharma Portrait
Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
This question was answered on 9th May 2018

The Department has not made an assessment of levels of utility debt and arrears. We plan to publish research into Universal Credit and arrears later this year.

There has been no specific written correspondence between DWP and utility companies on the effect of Universal Credit and levels of debt.

We continue to work closely with utility companies and regularly attend a Utility Company Debt Group to update them on the latest information regarding Universal Credit, its rollout and any changes that may have taken place. These include discussions on deductions and arrears, as well as taking feedback for future improvements to the service we provide for them.

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