FOI Request - Council Universal Credit Deduction Requests

Request 101004021860

I would be grateful if you could provide the following information:

1. Use of Universal Credit Deductions

a) Whether your local authority currently requests deductions from Universal Credit payments (via the Department for Work and Pensions) to recover debts owed to the council

b) If so, for which types of debt this applies (for example: council tax arrears, rent arrears, benefit overpayments, or other categories)

2. Volume of requests

a) The number of requests made by the council to the DWP for Universal Credit deductions in each of the last five completed financial years, if held

3. Policy and Guidance

a) Any current policies, guidance, or criteria used by the council when deciding whether to request deductions from Universal Credit

4. Changes Over Time

a) Details of any significant changes in policy or practice over the past five years relating to the use of Universal Credit deductions