questionText: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons is there an average 5-week wait for claimants to receive a first payment of Universal Credit; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of this wait on levels of poverty in the north east of England.
answerText: The Universal Credit assessment period and payment structure are fundamental parts of its design as agreed by parliament. Universal Credit reflects payment patterns in the world of work, where the majority of people are paid monthly or four-weekly. Ensuri...
heading: Universal Credit