Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families with a child in residential care are likely to lose universal credit payments for their child as a result of (a) section 22 of the Children Act 1989 and (b) section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

In certain circumstances, Universal Credit allows for temporary absence of children, up to 6 months of continuous absence, before an award is affected. This includes absences where the child is in residential care or schooling.

It would not be possible to provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost.