Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason universal credit is paid pro-rata when a claimant becomes eligible part way through an assessment period for state pension credit but not when a claimant becomes eligible for the state pension without state pension credit.

This measure ensures that there is no gap in entitlement for people who rely on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit. It provides a smooth transition between working-age and pension-age income related welfare support.