Oral Answers to Questions

Craig Tracey Excerpts
Monday 21st May 2018

(6 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As the hon. Lady will know, a report that was published last year by the National Federation of ALMOs found that more than three quarters of tenants who started claiming universal credit were already in rent arrears. Other research shows that after four months on universal credit the number of claimants in arrears fell by a third. The key point is to make sure that we get help to individuals and that is precisely what the budget changes the Secretary of State has outlined do.

Craig Tracey Portrait Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Could the Minister confirm whether, under universal credit, claimants are more likely to be in work within six months than they were under jobseeker’s allowance?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Yes, I can absolutely confirm that under universal credit claimants can get into work faster and stay in work longer than under the legacy system.