To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what contingency plans his Department has put in place in case of handling errors in universal credit assessments that result in underpayments to vulnerable households.

The design of universal credit is intended to reduce errors including under and over payments. Any underpayments will be rectified as soon as possible to ensure claimants receive an amount of universal credit to which they are entitled. In exceptional circumstances, it will be possible to make same day payments using the Faster Payments Service.

Universal credit will have a process in place to identify claimants who are vulnerable at the start of their universal credit claim. This information will be recorded and where the needs identified are complex an appointment will be made with an adviser.