Written questions

Universal Credit: Earnings Rules

Commons · Question 1549 · Tabled 14 May 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record

Answered 27 May 2026

Question

Asked by Rebecca Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit claimants had their award reduced through the earnings taper in each of the last five years; and how many claimants experienced monthly reductions of (a) less than £100, (b) £1

Answer

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms, 27 May 2026

The department does not hold information about Universal Credit awards reduced by the earnings taper at claimant level. UC awards are affected by the amount that households earn, rather than the number of hours that they work. The department holds informa...