Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is her Department's policy that jobcentre staff should inform claimants of universal credit that they should make a claim for new-style employment and support allowance or jobseeker's allowance if they are likely to be eligible for those benefits.

The Department is committed to providing the best possible support for all claimants irrespective of which benefit they are in receipt of, or in the process of claiming.

Jobcentre staff undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality service to all claimants. All Work Coaches within Jobcentres receive specific training regarding identifying when new style Employment and Support Allowance and new style Jobseekers Allowance are appropriate, and have the knowledge and skills to support claimants throughout the process.

More widely, the Department provides benefit eligibility information to help people make decisions surrounding benefits to which they may be entitled, along with details about how to claim them. This is available through Jobcentre Plus offices and via the GOV.UK website.