Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claims were closed in 2019 as a result of claimants not accepting their claimant commitment before first being offered the opportunity to accept those commitments over the telephone.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

All Universal Credit claimants are required to accept a Claimant Commitment as a condition of entitlement. Claimants’ obligations are recorded in one place, clarifying both what they are expected to do in return for benefits and support, and exactly what happens if they fail to comply.

Claimant commitments will be reasonable for this unprecedented time, reflecting the reality of a person’s local jobs market, the local/national public health guidelines and personal circumstances to help prepare them for getting back into work. Those who have declared a health condition that restricts their ability to work, including those who are shielding and clinically extremely vulnerable, will not be required to be available for work. These claimants will have their conditionality tailored to ensure it is reasonable. This may includeswitching off conditionality altogether where appropriate.