Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alex Cunningham and Justin Tomlinson

Monday 15th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

8. What assessment her Department has made of recent trends in the average level of household debt for people in receipt of universal credit.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Justin Tomlinson)]

rose—

[Justin Tomlinson]

A truly memorable day.

Alongside the personalised and tailored support of universal credit, claimants have access to extended childcare support, increases in the personal tax allowance and the introduction of the national living wage. For those transferring from legacy benefits, there is an additional two weeks of housing benefit support.

[Alex Cunningham]

It is all too easy for people to fall into debt with universal credit failures. My constituent Kayley Aithwaite gets paid on the last working day of each month, meaning she had two lots of wages considered in the last calculation period, and was denied her usual universal credit. How common is this particular problem and what is the Minister going to do about it?

[Justin Tomlinson]

I thank the hon. Gentleman. Universal credit is designed to mirror the world of work, with monthly payments. It is far better that, through the personalised and tailored support of their individual work coach, claimants are able to be given the support to navigate that now and not on the first day of entering work.