Alok Sharma corrected a written answer on Universal Credit: Publicity

9 February 2018 · Commons written answer · Department for Work and Pensions

Dr Rupa Huq (Labour, Ealing Central and Acton) asked written question 126379 on 2 February 2018. Kit Malthouse answered on 7 February 2018 for the Department for Work and Pensions, and Alok Sharma corrected the answer on 9 February 2018. The corrected text adds the figure 8,000, which the original did not give. Altogether 186 words differ between the two versions.

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to publicise information to claimants eligible for universal credit who do not have internet access.

Original and corrected answer

Struck through: original only. Bold: correction only.

Original	Corrected
The ~~attached table shows~~ all the ~~contracts DWP currently holds with Capita~~ including the ~~total value~~ of ~~the contracts.~~	Our data shows that over 99% of claimants using the Universal Credit Full Service make their claim online. The Department uses multiple channels to publicise information for claimants about Universal Credit. These include: Posters and leaflets in jobcentres, including a recent campaign to raise awareness about availability of advances. Working closely with stakeholder organisations (many of whom interact with claimants, face to face and by telephone). This also includes working with local authorities as part of our on-going partnership to improve digital access and capability. Playing short videos in Post Offices and GP surgeries in high claimant areas, and also advertising in transport hubs and shopping precinct locations. To further support claimants without internet access, all jobcentres across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available, including 8000 additional computers installed to support the introduction of Universal Credit. This provides access to digital channels in every jobcentre for claimants to use when they do not have access at home. A telephone helpline and face to face support are also available for claimants to make and manage a Universal Credit claim.

Original

Corrected

The ~~attached table shows~~ all the ~~contracts DWP currently holds with Capita~~ including the ~~total value~~ of ~~the contracts.~~

Our data shows that over 99% of claimants using the Universal Credit Full Service make their claim online.
The Department uses multiple channels to publicise information for claimants about Universal Credit. These include:
Posters and leaflets in jobcentres, including a recent campaign to raise awareness about availability of advances.
Working closely with stakeholder organisations (many of whom interact with claimants, face to face and by telephone). This also includes working with local authorities as part of our on-going partnership to improve digital access and capability.
Playing short videos in Post Offices and GP surgeries in high claimant areas, and also advertising in transport hubs and shopping precinct locations.
To further support claimants without internet access, all jobcentres across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available, including 8000 additional computers installed to support the introduction of Universal Credit. This provides access to digital channels in every jobcentre for claimants to use when they do not have access at home. A telephone helpline and face to face support are also available for claimants to make and manage a Universal Credit claim.

The question and answer on the Parliament website.

Related key figures

People on Universal Credit (Great Britain)

Receipt

Read from	https://questions-statements-api.parliament.uk/api/writtenquestions/questions/836024?expandMember=true
Date read	15 October 2026
SHA-256	`bb15ba3d535bb97b53e5b7c670cff670962df207e528039e88fd55a2e764f9a6`