Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that (1) Housing Benefit, and (2) Universal Credit in respect of rent, is paid to prisoners on remand.
The Department is routinely notified by Prison Services across England, Wales and Scotland when offenders enter custody, including those on remand. We have specialist teams to identify claimants who are in receipt of either Universal Credit or legacy benefits so that the appropriate action can be taken.