Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Third Report: Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment
Work and Pensions Committee
HC 204
Published 19 October 2020
Government response
Third Special Report - Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report · published 12 Jan 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
25
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 113
We welcome the announcement of the Breathing Space scheme, which is scheduled to be introduced...
Recommendation
We welcome the announcement of the Breathing Space scheme, which is scheduled to be introduced next year, and the Government’s confirmation that Advances in Universal Credit will be covered by the scheme. We find it disappointing, however, that debts in …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to implementing the Breathing Space scheme for benefit overpayments and legacy benefit advances from May 2021. However, UC Advances and Third Party Deductions in UC will only be included once the full implementation of UC is complete due to system complexities.
Department for Work and Pensions
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36
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 158
We acknowledge that most disabled people and people with health conditions receive the core elements...
Recommendation
We acknowledge that most disabled people and people with health conditions receive the core elements of their claim on time. However, we find it troubling that, because of the time taken to complete the Work Capability Assessment process, people must …
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Government Response Summary
The government defends the current WCA assessment period for thoroughness and fairness, not committing to speeding it up directly. However, they commit to collecting and publishing WCA data and will explore assessment reform options in a forthcoming Health and Disability Green Paper.
Department for Work and Pensions
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