Universal Credit: Publicity

Department for Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 9 February 2018.

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Photo of Rupa Huq Rupa Huq Labour, Ealing Central and Acton

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to publicise information to claimants eligible for universal credit who do not have internet access.

Photo of Alok Sharma Alok Sharma The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions

An error has been identified in the written answer given on 07 February 2018.

The correct answer should have been:

The attached table shows all the contracts DWP currently holds with Capita including the total value of the contracts.

Our data shows that over 99% of claimants using the Universal Credit Full Service make their claim online.

The Department uses multiple channels to publicise information for claimants about Universal Credit. These include:

  • Posters and leaflets in jobcentres, including a recent campaign to raise awareness about availability of advances.

  • Working closely with stakeholder organisations (many of whom interact with claimants, face to face and by telephone). This also includes working with local authorities as part of our on-going partnership to improve digital access and capability.

  • Playing short videos in Post Offices and GP surgeries in high claimant areas, and also advertising in transport hubs and shopping precinct locations.

To further support claimants without internet access, all jobcentres across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available, including 8000 additional computers installed to support the introduction of Universal Credit. This provides access to digital channels in every jobcentre for claimants to use when they do not have access at home. A telephone helpline and face to face support are also available for claimants to make and manage a Universal Credit claim.

Capita Contracts (Word Document, 14.95 KB)

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Photo of Kit Malthouse Kit Malthouse The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

The attached table shows all the contracts DWP currently holds with Capita including the total value of the contracts.

Our data shows that over 99% of claimants using the Universal Credit Full Service make their claim online.

The Department uses multiple channels to publicise information for claimants about Universal Credit. These include:

  • Posters and leaflets in jobcentres, including a recent campaign to raise awareness about availability of advances.

  • Working closely with stakeholder organisations (many of whom interact with claimants, face to face and by telephone). This also includes working with local authorities as part of our on-going partnership to improve digital access and capability.

  • Playing short videos in Post Offices and GP surgeries in high claimant areas, and also advertising in transport hubs and shopping precinct locations.

To further support claimants without internet access, all jobcentres across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available, including 8000 additional computers installed to support the introduction of Universal Credit. This provides access to digital channels in every jobcentre for claimants to use when they do not have access at home. A telephone helpline and face to face support are also available for claimants to make and manage a Universal Credit claim.

Capita Contracts (Word Document, 14.95 KB)

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.