Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what rationale the Government has used to decide the order of local authority areas for the Universal Credit Transition Schedule.

The Universal Credit Transition Schedule is designed to ensure a safe and secure delivery which minimises disruption for claimants. In order to facilitate this, the order of jobcentre sites in the schedule aims to create a fair and even distribution across the country. We collaborate closely with Local Authorities and stakeholders throughout the development of the schedule and through the rollout of Universal Credit.