Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) oral and (b) written communication with Universal Credit claimants at explaining how to request a lower rate of deductions from Universal Credit.

We are regularly reviewing and improving the UC service and have recently updated our overpayment notifications to more clearly explain how to get in touch if deductions are too much.

In addition, there are standing messages available in the Universal Credit journal which can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alternatively, claimants can seek support from staff in their local job centre or by contacting the Universal Credit helpline.

DWP Debt Management have an established process whereby trained agents are available to discuss repayment rates and, in most cases, negotiate reduced repayment rates with anyone struggling to repay.

The department is also committed to HM Treasury’s 'Breathing Space' policy.