Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many of those aged 18 to 24 who started a Universal Credit claim in the 12 months to May 2026 and had no employment earnings recorded in the assessment period in which their claim began (1) were in the Intensive Work Search conditionality regime, and (2) had no work-related requirements; and how many of those in the Intensive Work Search regime had PAYE employment earnings recorded in each of at least six consecutive months during the preceding 12 months.

(1) 254,000 people aged 18 to 24 who started a Universal Credit claim in the 12 months to May-2026 and had no employment earnings recorded in the assessment period in which their claim began, were in the Intensive Work Search conditionality regime.

(2) 26,000 people aged 18 to 24 who started a Universal Credit claim in the 12 months to May-2026 and had no employment earnings recorded in the assessment period in which their claim began, had no work-related requirements.

Of those 254,000 in the Intensive Work Search conditionality regime, 25,000 had PAYE employment earnings recorded in each of at least six consecutive months during the

preceding 12 months.

Notes:

1. A starter to Universal Credit is defined as an individual who has completed the Universal Credit claim process and accepted their Claimant Commitment.
2. Those who have no work-related requirements are defined here as those not expected to work at present. Health or caring responsibility prevents claimant from working or preparing for work. Examples of people in this regime include those in full time education, over state pension age, have a child under 1 years old and those with no prospect to work.
3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000.