Lord Bishop of Newcastle: DWP: Written Answers (2)
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Written Question
Loneliness
Monday 6th January 2025

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Newcastle (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address loneliness and social isolation as a root cause of foodbank usage following a recent report published by the Centre for Social Justice which found that over twice as many people who use foodbanks feel lonely most of the time compared to other adults.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government’s current work to tackle loneliness includes the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, a grant fund designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England.

Jobcentres carry out an important role in identifying people at risk of loneliness by directing people to tailored support such as social prescribing, volunteering opportunities, befriending schemes and other local community opportunities and helping them to return to or prepare to return to the labour market. Good work is also a key element in our approach to tackle poverty and reduce mass dependence on emergency food parcels.


Written Question
Universal Credit
Thursday 24th October 2024

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Newcastle (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial impact that the five-week wait has on those awaiting their first Universal Credit payment.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

No assessment has been made of the financial impact of the 5-week-wait. The Government is committed to reviewing Universal Credit so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty.

The Universal Credit assessment period and payment structure are fundamental parts of its design.

When customers are paid Universal Credit is determined by the date of entitlement. The first payment is usually made around five weeks after the claim is made. The first calendar month is the initial assessment period. At the end of that period, entitlement for that month is calculated and paid 7 days later. Payments thereafter are made monthly in arrears.

It is not possible to award a Universal Credit payment as soon as a claim is made as the assessment period must run its course before the award of Universal Credit can be calculated.

If new customers need support before their first payment is made, all new customers can request an advance of their entitlement to support them. New Claims Advances of up to 100% of potential UC entitlement are available urgently if a customer needs support during their first assessment period and budgeting support is available for anyone who needs extra help.