Department for Work and Pensions written question – answered on 15 May 2019.
Ruth George
Labour, High Peak
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been deducted from universal credit claimants' standard allowance in each month since April 2017.
Alok Sharma
The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Internal figures are provided in the table below from two DWP datasets.
The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. The aim of the deductions policy in Universal Credit is to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their gas, electricity and water cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential services.
The increase in Universal Credit caseload and activity to increase awareness of advances has had an effect on deductions. Increased awareness has resulted in around 60% of eligible new claims to Universal Credit receiving an advance in October 2018, providing further financial support until their first payment.
Total amount deducted from Universal Credit payments between April 2017 and October 2018
Month | Amount deducted [rounded to the nearest million] | Amount of Universal Credit paid [rounded to the nearest million] | Amount deducted as a percentage of Universal Credit paid |
Apr-17 | £9,000,000 | £140,000,000 | 7% |
May-17 | £10,000,000 | £148,000,000 | 7% |
Jun-17 | £10,000,000 | £159,000,000 | 6% |
Jul-17 | £11,000,000 | £166,000,000 | 6% |
Aug-17 | £11,000,000 | £176,000,000 | 6% |
Sep-17 | £12,000,000 | £186,000,000 | 6% |
Oct-17 | £13,000,000 | £195,000,000 | 7% |
Nov-17 | £13,000,000 | £205,000,000 | 7% |
Dec-17 | £15,000,000 | £216,000,000 | 7% |
Jan-18 | £17,000,000 | £232,000,000 | 7% |
Feb-18 | £19,000,000 | £243,000,000 | 8% |
Mar-18 | £22,000,000 | £257,000,000 | 8% |
Apr-18 | £23,000,000 | £266,000,000 | 9% |
May-18 | £25,000,000 | £284,000,000 | 9% |
Jun-18 | £27,000,000 | £319,000,000 | 8% |
Jul-18 | £29,000,000 | £335,000,000 | 9% |
Aug-18 | £32,000,000 | £360,000,000 | 9% |
Sep-18 | £35,000,000 | £380,000,000 | 9% |
Oct-18 | £39,000,000 | £410,000,000 | 10% |
Notes:
Data sources: Universal Credit Live Service Reference Datasets and Full Service PDM data, UC Analysis Division
1. Figures are provided for the total of UC Live Service and Full Service. The data is sourced from two different computer systems and the information available is slightly different on each system.
2. Increase in the total deduction amounts by month reflects the effect of Universal Credit (UC) roll out as more people move onto UC.
3. Amount of Universal Credit paid reflects the amount of money paid to claimants and their landlords as part of their award. It does not include other payments such as advances and hardship payments.
4. Figures are provisional and are subject to retrospective change as later data becomes available.
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