Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure that the gainful self-employment test under universal credit takes into account (a) the freelance status of performers and (b) the irregular work patterns of performers when applied to those applicants.

In Universal Credit a claimant is gainfully self-employed where:

· They are carrying on a trade, profession or vocation as their main form of employment;

· Their earnings from the trade, profession or vocation are self-employed earnings;

· The trade, profession or vocation is organised, developed, regular and carried on in expectation of profit.

The freelance status of performers would not affect their eligibility for Universal Credit, or whether they meet the definition of gainful self-employment .

Whilst the self-employment must be regular, neither the work patterns nor the claimant’s earnings need to be so. The Department recognises that self-employment work patterns often vary and a range of factors can influence the amount and duration of self-employed work.

Universal Credit is assessed and paid monthly, which enables it to adjust quickly to take account of changes in earnings, ensuring claimants receive the right level of support at the right time.