Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Support for Mortgage Interest loans are attached to current universal Credit claims.

Some homeowners in receipt of Universal Credit, along with other qualifying benefits, may be able to get help towards interest payments on their mortgage or loans taken out for certain repairs and improvements to their home. This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). Assistance is paid as a loan normally paid direct to the lender, which needs to be repaid with interest when a home is sold or ownership is transferred.

There were 450 households on Universal Credit on 13th June 2019 that were in receipt of SMI loan payments.

Note:

1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.