Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with Citizens Advice about universal credit claimants who (a) face excessive delays in their first payment and periods without any income, (b) find it complex to make and maintain a claim and (c) cannot obtain help when they run into problems; and if he will make a statement.

Universal Credit have always had a strong working relationship with Citizens Advice colleagues nationally, with particular focus on the exchange of information and emerging issues. The Secretary of State, Universal Credit Director General and I most recently met with the Citizens Advice Chief Executive on 17 July.

At a working level Ministers and UC officials meet regularly with Citizens Advice to share insight. This includes developing a data dashboard to share Citizens Advice Universal Credit claimant contact data with DWP officials.