Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2023 to Question 183414 on Universal Credit: Expenditure, for what reasons there was a higher than forecasted caseload for people with health conditions and therefore receiving a health element in their Universal Credit award in 2021-22.
An increased prevalence of disabilities within the UK population is a driver of the forecast; but more recent trends in health conditions have risen further than expected, which is reflected in the difference between caseload forecasts and outturn.
To note, DWP only produce a forecast of claimants that receive the health element of Universal Credit and not a forecast of people with ill health.