Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of notices of entitlement to advance payments of universal credit for single parents.

DWP has taken steps to ensure that all Universal Credit claimants are aware of the availability of advances, including single parents. We have recently refreshed our guidance to work coaches and service centre agents, which makes it clear that all claimants should be made aware of advances, and made aware of their maximum entitlement and maximum repayment period. In addition we have recently introduced posters and leaflets in Jobcentres to further raise awareness. From Spring 2018, claimants will also be able to apply for an advance online, making it even easier for claimants to receive the support they need.

It is important that claimants are supported until their first payment, and according to recent published data around half of new claims take up advances. This shows that people are aware of this support and are getting the help that they need.