Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what written communications her Department has had with claimants of universal credit advising those claimants that the £20 uplift to that benefit is a temporary measure during the covid-19 outbreak.
The Government’s economic response to the COVID-19 outbreak has been widely reported on and the Department has worked through external media channels to ensure we informed the largest possible audience as welfare-related decisions were made.
DWP benefit and pension rates for 2021 to 2022 are published on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2021-to-2022 And, following the necessary legislation being laid, to reflect the decision announced in the Budget to extend the temporary uplift in the Standard Allowance for a further six months, this will be updated.
Additionally, at the end of each monthly assessment period, all Universal Credit claimants have access to a statement which includes information surrounding the rate of Standard Allowance awarded.