Recommendation 34

DWP has made substantial progress in improving payment timeliness,. The Department has increased the proportion of people paid on time from just over half in 2017 to over 90% in 2020—a significant feat given the recent upsurge in Universal Credit claims. However, the overall rise in claimant numbers mean that more people than ever are being paid late, and when managed migration begins at scale there is a risk that these numbers will rise. No one should have to wait more than five weeks for their first payment.