Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 February to Question 220052 on Universal Credit, if she will publish the evidential basis for the statement that the indications at this stage are that Universal Credit actually helps to clear these arrears over time; and if she will make a statement.

Following the initial work summarised in the NAO report with a single housing provider, we are currently carrying out analysis of this issue with a number of housing providers, to investigate and understand the true level of rent arrears for their tenants, what is causing them and any impacts Universal Credit may be having. It will be published when completed.