Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 111
DWP has capped the deductions that claimants can face from their Universal Credit award at...
Recommendation
DWP has capped the deductions that claimants can face from their Universal Credit award at 30%, and yet in some circumstances, such as where a claimant has rent or fuel arrears, or benefit sanctions, DWP can deduct more than this amount. Nick Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment 81 Timmins has estimated that almost one in five of claimants see over 30% of their Universal Credit award deducted to pay off debts. DWP should ensure that claimants never face deductions in excess of the usual cap, and should use the data that it has on “last resort” deductions to help claimants tackle their debt problems without reducing their Universal Credit award further.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response discusses encouraging timely claims, the 'Help to Claim' programme, and backdating provisions, but does not address the committee's recommendation regarding deduction caps or using data to help claimants with debt without further reducing their Universal Credit award.
Paragraph Reference:
111
Government Response
The government responded to this report on 12 January 2021. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗