Thread by @lewis_goodall

NEW: The Permanent Secretary of the DWP has written to the DWP Select Committee to update them on the situation with Universal Credit. This a copy of that letter. It reveals just how under strain the system is.

It confirms there's been more than 1 million applications for UC.

Typically, the letter says, DWP would expect 55,000 calls in a week.

The letter reveals that between 23-27 March inclusive approximately *1.8 million* calls were made to the Universal Credit Helpline.

On 30 March they received 2.2 million calls.

On 31 March 1.8 million calls.

DWP says they are receiving ten times typical caller volume.

Govt has repeatedly said that claimants worried about waiting five weeks for UC payment will be able to apply for an advance payment

But the letter suggests numbers of advance payments could be lagging behind demand

letter confirms numbers who've successfully applied for and received an advance payment as part of their UC application:

wk of 16 March- 41,000
wk of 23 March-72,000

Letter says 60% of applicants want advance payment. This is probably less than 60% of applicants in this period.

more to come, will tweet later OR tune into Newsnight shortly. BBC 2, 10.45pm

The DWP says that before Covid19 they were processing and paying 85% of new universal credit applications/payments in a timely fashion.

That’s still 15% who didn’t get payments as quickly as they should.

Now applications have skyrocketed danger is that % gets bigger.