Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the reasons are for the different rates for the standard allowance of universal credit for claimants aged (a) under 25, and (b) 25 and over; and what comparative assessment her Department has made of the difference in the cost of living for those two groups of people.

The lower rates for younger claimants who are under the age of 25 years reflects the fact that they are more likely to live in someone else's household and have lower living costs and lower earnings expectations. This also reinforces the stronger work incentives that Universal Credit creates for this age group.

Universal Credit also includes support for housing costs, children and childcare costs and support for disabled people and carers.

As the differing rates broadly reflect those in the currently legacy benefits system, no comparative assessment has been made.