Universal credit and state pension transition

This House notes that a claimant of universal credit that is approaching state pension age may be subject to nine weeks without income between the end of universal credit and the first payment of the state pension if they are not eligible for pension credit; further notes that that period includes up to thirty days in which no benefit is payable and that the final universal credit assessment period can be reduced and paid on a pro-rata basis; and calls on the Government to ensure that universal credit is payable up to the day before the state pension is paid, regardless of whether pension credit is subsequently payable.