To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the conclusions of the report, Rolling Out Universal Credit, published by the National Audit Office in June 2018, on delivery confidence assessments made by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.

The Infrastructure and Projects Authority conducted a review of the Full Business Case and found that it was ‘affordable and providing value for money’. The Review Team gave the Business Case an Amber/Green Delivery Confidence Assessment Rating, reporting that they were satisfied that the Programme will make the benefits system ‘Cheaper, Simpler and Better’.

The Full Business Case shows that Universal Credit is projected to help 200,000 people into work, adding £8 billion per annum to the economy when it is fully rolled-out. These are estimates, based on analysis that has been signed off by the Treasury and are monitored by a robust process of benefit realisation.

We published a summary of the Business Case which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-programme-full-business-case-summary. The National Audit Office had access to the IPA reports and to the Business Case in reaching its determination that the value for money of Universal Credit is as yet unproven.

The Government’s conclusion is clear that Universal Credit represents value for money, an agile, adaptable system, fit for the 21st century, helping people to transform their lives through work - while supporting those who cannot work.