Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the commencement of universal credit in the Sheffield Woodhouse Jobcentre Plus area on 12 December 2018, if she will guarantee that new claims for that benefit will be paid before Christmas 2018.

The Department has extensive experience of paying claimants over holiday periods. We have also rolled out and paid Universal Credit to significant numbers of claimants over previous Christmas periods.

All new claimants to Universal Credit have always been able to apply for a Universal Credit Advance in their first month if they need some financial support until the first regular payment of Universal Credit is made. This is up to 100% of the indicative award available and can be repaid over 12 months.

We also provide an additional payment of 2 weeks of Housing Benefit to support claimants when they transition to Universal Credit.