Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of errors or delays in the roll-out of universal credit.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The Department’s rollout of Universal Credit Full Service is going to plan and is due to complete nationally in December 2018. As of the end of July 2018 we will have completed 65% of this programme, with nearly 400,000 new claimants added onto the system since August 2017. Where amendments to the rollout schedule have been announced (as on 22 March in Written Statement HCWS577, or following the November 2017 Budget), these reflect local considerations and discussions, or policy changes to Universal Credit.
The policy changes announced following the November 2017 Budget, included:
Universal Credit is continuously improved in line with our test and learn approach and DWP continues to work closely with landlords, local authorities and other organisations to ensure claimants are supported throughout the assessment process. The Department provides funding for local authorities and other partner organisations to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit through Universal Support. This is help for those who need assistance to manage their claim online and/or help with budgeting in order to manage their monthly payments and prioritise essential bills such as rent and utilities. Further information can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-support.
In common with other DWP benefits, in cases where a customer is affected by Departmental error, we can also consider awarding an ex-gratia payment, as set out in the guide on Financial Redress for Maladministration.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timeframe is for people to backdate a claim for universal credit in the event that decision on the claim was delayed as a result of error on the part of her Department.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The guidance on back-dating a claim to Universal Credit is set out in the Advice for Decision Maker’s Guide at paragraphs A2043-2045: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/602462/adma2.pdf. The maximum period for back-dating is one month.
If a claim has been delayed due to error, DWP can also consider awarding an ex-gratia payment, as set out in the guide on Financial Redress for Maladministration, which can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671381/financial-redress-for-maladministration-dwp-staff-guide.pdf
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the security of the data held in the universal credit system; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The security of claimant information is a crucial part of the way that data is managed in the department. The personal details of Universal Credit claimants are securely stored and access to this data is strictly controlled. A range of controls are present within the Universal Credit service to protect the confidentiality and integrity of claimant personal data and there are regular tests against these controls to ensure that they meet Government and international security standards.
The Department operates a discretionary special payment scheme. The policy and guiding principles of the scheme are described in Financial Redress for Maladministration which is available on Gov.UK.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what circumstances compensation will be made available to universal credit claimants as a result of a breach of security that has been found to compromise their data.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The security of claimant information is a crucial part of the way that data is managed in the department. The personal details of Universal Credit claimants are securely stored and access to this data is strictly controlled. A range of controls are present within the Universal Credit service to protect the confidentiality and integrity of claimant personal data and there are regular tests against these controls to ensure that they meet Government and international security standards.
The Department operates a discretionary special payment scheme. The policy and guiding principles of the scheme are described in Financial Redress for Maladministration which is available on Gov.UK.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the provision of money management, budgeting and debt advice by local authorities and social sector landlords is being monitored.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Department for Work and Pensions are currently undertaking a review into how local welfare provision has been used in 2013/14 and its anticipated use in 2014/15 which will be published in due course. In addition, as part of its work on Universal Credit, the Department is commissioning budgeting support for claimants who need help and is establishing local delivery partnerships with local government to help provide this.
The Government-funded Money Advice Survey offers advice on managing personal debt, money management and budgeting. Face to face debt advice is provided by Citizens Advice, under contract with the Money Advice Service.
Department for Business Innovation and Skills also provide funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau, which provides people with advice on debt and other issues.
More generally, the Department for Communities and Local Government issued guidance to councils last year on good practice in the collection of council tax arrears. The actions of local authorities (in relation to service failures, maladministration or injustice) can be investigated by the Local Government Ombudsman, whilst the Housing Ombudsman Service looks at complaints about social landlords.