Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many single claims for universal credit were suspended while a new joint claim was processed and paid in the most recent 12 months for which data is available.

There is no requirement for a claim to be suspended as a result of such a change of circumstance.

When a single claimant becomes part of a couple, they form a benefit unit with their new partner. Their single claim becomes a joint claim and, as a result, the claim continues with a partner being added to the household, without the need for a new claim.