Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the merits of offline access to benefit claims; and if she will make a statement.

The Department offers a number of ways for people to claim benefits and contact us, including face to face, in writing or by telephone, and we are increasingly offering the convenience of online services, for example to check and claim the State Pension.

Universal Credit is designed to be accessed online but, for those that require assistance, we offer a freephone telephone helpline and face to face support.