Written questions, answers and statements

Universal Credit

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Question for Department for Work and Pensions

UIN 23204, tabled on 23 April 2024

Question

Douglas Chapman
Scottish National Party
Dunfermline and West Fife
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of adjusting the minimum income floor for Universal Credit for (a) farmers and (b) other people whose income and expenditure varies during the year.

Answer

Jo Churchill
Conservative
Bury St Edmunds
Commons

Answered on

26 April 2024

The Department does not intend to assess the potential merits of adjusting the Minimum Income Floor (MIF). Relaxing or removing the MIF risks trapping customers indefinitely in very low-earning self-employment and dependency on the welfare system - a situation that is unfair to the taxpayer, and unhelpful for customers and their families.

We are working with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to ensure a smooth transition from the old legacy benefits to Universal Credit, as well as providing transitional protection when applicable.

Answered by

Department for Work and Pensions
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