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Written question asked by Shabana Mahmood (Labour) on Friday, 8 January 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 January 2021. It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 January 2021 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Universal Credit

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to review the maximum 30 per cent deduction for universal credit claimants for court fines.

Answer

From October, we will reduce the Universal Credit standard deductions cap to 25% of a claimant’s Universal Credit standard allowance from 30%.

Court fine deductions fall within the cap which means, from October, the maximum deduction will be the lower of £108.35, set out in legislation, or 25% of a claimant’s standard allowance. The maximum deduction applies only where a claimant’s individual circumstances allow the maximum deduction within the standard deductions cap.

Deductions for court fines are only made from Universal Credit if a Court requests DWP to do so. The Court only makes such a request if it decides that a deduction from benefit is the most appropriate method of payment. It has always been the case that individuals can ask the Court to consider a private payment arrangement - both before a deduction from benefits is requested and at any time thereafter. Officials from DWP and Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service have regular discussions about these arrangements.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
134403
Session
2019-21
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Deductions Fines Universal credit
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk