A number of constituents have contacted as me as part of a
campaign asking me to attend the estimates debate on 26 February and call for
an end to the 5 week wait for Universal Credit.
I was unable to attend this debate on 26 February due to
prior commitments elsewhere in Parliament.
In terms of Universal Credit, I did support calls for
changes to the advance payment system when you first make a claim. I was
pleased to see the Government subsequently change the benefit to allow
claimants who need it claim a 100% advance payment.
I believe this was a good step in making claiming this
benefit easier to claim, and also one that negates the five week wait when used.
As such I do not support calls to remove the waiting period for this benefit.
I continue to feedback concerns raised with me by
constituents and take feedback from local DWP staff which I raise with
Ministerial colleagues where appropriate.
