Universal Credit: Rent Arrears

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 13 November 2017.

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Photo of Ian Mearns Ian Mearns Chair, Backbench Business Committee, Chair, Backbench Business Committee 12:00, 13 November 2017

I listened carefully to the Minister’s answer, and I wonder whether it would be of any surprise to her that the chief executive of a large housing authority in the north-west of England recently told me that the authority had arrears of more than £2 million from universal credit alone. Claimants in one authority in Yorkshire and Humber have average arears of more than £1,100 each. Why is that happening and what is she going to do about it?