Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 88565

Council Tax and Universal Credit

Tabled: 10 November 2025
Answered: 17 November 2025

Question

John McDonnell

LabourHayes and Harlington

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, why income that was disregarded under Employment Support Allowance is now being considered as income on Universal Credit for Council Tax and Social Care purposes.

Answer

Sir Stephen Timms
Universal Credit does not replicate previous legacy benefits. Therefore, customers migrating to Universal Credit may be subject to different rules, including different treatment of income and how it is disregarded in assessing their benefit entitlement. T...

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 88565) →