Oral Answers to Questions

Tom Randall Excerpts

Monday 11th July 2022 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con)]

1. What estimate she has made of the number of universal credit claimants in Gedling constituency who will receive a cost of living payment.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (David Rutley)]

Despite what has happened today, our spirits will not be dampened, and I am sure that the Chamber will be in full flow before we know it.

Universal credit claimants who received at least 1p during assessment periods that ended between 26 April and 25 May 2022 will be eligible for the first instalment of a cost of living payment worth £326. Latest statistics show that 4,800 households in Gedling were in receipt of universal credit in February 2022.

[Tom Randall]

Will my hon. Friend confirm when the more than 10,000 households in my Gedling constituency that are eligible for a cost of living payment should expect to receive that help from the Government?

[David Rutley]

The first instalment of the means-tested cost of living payment of £326 will be paid to eligible households from 14 July. I am pleased to remind colleagues that the payment is the first in a £15 billion package of measures to help households this year.