Universal Credit deductions

This House welcomes the three-month suspension of debts and overpayments being deducted from universal credit; notes that sums to repay advance payments continue to be deducted from universal credit, and that such deductions are a main driver of need for food banks; notes also that the continuation of deductions will eliminate much of the effect on claimants' living standards of the twelve-month increase in the standard allowance; and calls on the Government to introduce with immediate effect its stated policy, which is not due to take effect until October 2021, of easing the rate of deductions from universal credit by extending the repayment period and lowering the monthly cap on deductions.