Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of forthcoming changes to universal credit entitlement for mixed-aged couples on their level of income.

This change means that the same work incentives apply to the younger partner as apply to other people of the same age, and that taxpayer support is directed where it is needed most. The difference between the levels of financial support in Universal Credit as compared to Pension Credit and pension-age Housing Benefit, will depend on individual circumstances. The differences reflect the role of Universal Credit in ensuring that work always pays, and of Pension Credit in providing long-term support to those who have permanently left the labour market because of retirement on top of the support also provided by the State Pension. It is for the same reason that the treatment of earned income in Universal Credit is more generous than in Pension Credit. The younger partner in a mixed-age couple receiving Universal Credit will have access to the tailored support provided by work coaches to help them find work or progress in work. No work-related requirements will be applied to the older partner.