The Work and Pensions Committee is to
question Welfare Delivery Minister and the DWP official
responsible for UC, as part of
the inquiry into Universal Credit and the wait for a first
payment.
The inquiry has
been examining some of the options available for reducing the
current wait for those claiming UC for the first time, which can
be up to five weeks. The session will be an opportunity to put to
the Minister some of the issues raised during the inquiry
including the DWP’s views on the effects of the wait on people
claiming, the work being done to reduce delays to initial
payments and the Department’s assessment of different policy
options for bringing down the wait or mitigating its impact.
The Committee has previously taken evidence from charities and
support groups, policy experts and local authorities, as well as
former Work and Pensions Secretary MP.
A report published on Friday
by the NAO highlighted the view of people
claiming UC and support organisations that the wait for the first
payment ‘contributes to financial hardship and debt, despite the
availability of advances’.
The report found that although the proportion of first payments
being made on time had significantly increased since 2017, there
were still more than 300,000 people paid late last year, due to
the growing numbers claiming UC. The figures refer to claims made
before the coronavirus pandemic.
Witness schedule:
Wednesday 15th July at 9.30am
-
, Minister for
Welfare Delivery
-
, Senior
Responsible Owner for Universal Credit, Department for Work and
Pensions
