Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration, if any, they have given to extending (1) the fortnightly payment system used in Northern Ireland, and (2) the more flexible payment system used in Scotland, for Universal Credit to the rest of the UK.

On 11 January the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced a number of measures that will provide increased support for Universal Credit claimants, including supporting claimants who would benefit from getting paid more frequently. To support this, the Department is running a pilot in 14 jobcentres across England and Wales to actively explain and promote more frequent payments to customers at the outset of their Universal Credit claim. The trial will last for four weeks, followed by a period of evaluation. This analysis will take place over a 3-month period to track the trial cohort to identify take up rates, effects on payment timeliness, effects on phone calls and reversion rates.