Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the different rates of Universal Credit standard allowance payable to single claimants and to couples on a) incentives for fraudulent claims and b) any resulting effects on the housing sector.

Universal Credit is assessed at the household level. Different standard allowance rates apply to single claimants and couples to reflect that people living together may share household resources and living costs, and support is therefore calculated for the household as a whole rather than for each individual separately. Universal Credit awards comprise a standard allowance together with additional amounts that may be payable in recognition of specific needs, such as eligible housing costs, caring responsibilities or disability.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the different Universal Credit standard allowance rates on incentives for fraudulent claims or any resulting effects on the housing sector.