Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the transfer of provision of Universal Support to Citizens Advice on (a) local authority costs for providing and (b) local availability of Universal Support after April 2019.

Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) were given a direct grant award for the full delivery of a Universal Support service for 12 months from April 2019 (while developing their service alongside Local Authorities up to 31 March 2019). A delivery review point is built into the Grant Agreement, at which point we will consider how the service is operating. The decision to award directly to CA and CAS is based on their position as a well-known and independent advice organisation. This partnership will ensure we are offering a consistent approach nationally for our most vulnerable customers.

Grant funding for the delivery of Universal Support by Local Authorities will cease from April 2019, as will their obligation to deliver the service. CA and CAS are committed to providing a Universal Support service across all areas of England, Wales and Scotland.

In taking the decision to award the grant to CA and CAS due regard was paid to the Department’s obligations.