Covid-19: Department for Work and Pensions Update

Lord Ramsbotham Excerpts

Tuesday 5th May 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook]

Yes, I will be happy to take that back to the department. It has come up before, and we should be doing some work on it with the Home Office. I will certainly take this back.

[Lord Ramsbotham (CB)]

What is the situation regarding those released from prison? Before Covid-19, they could not go to jobcentres to apply for universal credit until they had been released. The Statement said that jobcentres have not been open since 24 March, so what are released prisoners meant to do?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook]

I do not know what they do in the prisons before they are released, but when they are released, they can go online, because universal credit is an online system. They can also use the telephony service to get advice. I will get a further briefing for the noble Lord and make sure we have information on everything that is happening and changing for prisoners, before and after they are released.