Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to answer of 8 April to Question 240478 on Universal Credit, in relation to benefit advances taken by universal credit recipients (a) what proportion of claimants have taken an advance, (b) what the average amount of money is that claimants are advanced, (c) what proportion of claimants have taken the maximum advance and (d) what proportion of claimants have been granted 12 months to repay an advance in each year for which information is available.

a) Around 60% of new claims take up an advance. Subject to some fluctuation, this rate of advance take-up has been broadly consistent over the last 12 months. This shows that claimants are being made aware of advances and are using it where they need this help.

b) The average advance amount for new claims is around £400.

c) Around 70% of advances are taken at the maximum entitlement.

d) Around 85% of advances are chosen to be repaid over 12 months

Notes

1. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service only

2. Figures cover the latest 12 months of data from March 2018 to February 2019.