Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent steps he has taken with local authorities to improve the take-up of (a) Universal Credit, (b) Council Tax Support and (c) social tariffs.

The Government is in regular contact with councils about the range of support to households.

The Department for Work and Pensions has worked with key organisations and charities on the transition to Universal Credit from other benefits and regularly promotes Universal Credit at relevant events.

Council tax support is the responsibility of local authorities who must consult upon and publish their schemes.

To raise awareness of social tariffs amongst eligible households, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology has worked with consumer groups, charities and broadband and mobile companies to launch a 'Help for Households' awareness campaign.