Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates they have made of the impact on debt levels of the proposal to increase the repayment level of rent arrears to 40 per cent under Universal Credit.

We recently consulted on the proposal to increase the rate of rent arrears deductions in Universal Credit. We are currently considering the consultation responses.

Deductions from Universal Credit are made after considering the claimant’s individual circumstances and ability to afford the deductions. The maximum that can be deducted for all deductions, including rent arrears, is an amount equivalent to 40 per cent of the claimant’s Universal Credit Standard Allowance. The government will ensure that appropriate support is available to help claimants manage moving to a single monthly household payment, including budgeting and debt management advice.