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1141279

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of universal credit claimants that have had a deduction as a result of arrears to their (a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, (e) fifth and (f) sixth universal credit payment in the most recent period for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	280971
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt, so last resort deductions can be applied to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their fuel supply (gas/electricity) cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential services. In these cases, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the claimant and their family, deductions may be taken above the 40 per cent limit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be considered</p><p> </p><p>The table below gives the proportion of claims in the first to sixth assessment periods, for which a deduction was taken relating to arrears in February 2019, the latest month which data is available for.  <strong>  </strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Assessment Period</p></td><td><p>% with arrears deductions</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1.7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>3.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>4.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>5.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>6.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>6.7%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><strong>Notes</strong></p><p>1. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service.</p><p>2. Figures are rounded to the nearest per cent.</p><p>3. Figures included arrears for gas, electric, water, rent and service charges</p><p>4. We would expect to see overall amount increasing as the caseload and number of claims with deductions increase, but the average over that time also decreases.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/09/2019 15:52:39 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141400

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued to consumers on the supply of food in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281006
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/08/2019 answer text <p>On 31 July, the Prime Minister announced a new £138 million public awareness campaign to prepare the public for every aspect of our leaving the EU without an agreement at the end of October.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 13/08/2019 16:22:24 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141402

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish his Department's guidance issued to (a) Resilience Forums, (b) local authorities (c) other bodies with responsibilities to prepare for crises under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and (d) representatives from the agriculture industry on the worst-case scenario in relation to food preparations in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281007
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>Specific guidance for the food and drink sector is available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/defra/brexit-food-drink-sector" target="_blank">www.gov.uk//defra/brexit-food-drink-sector</a>.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 05/09/2019 16:31:45 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141404

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the worse-case effects of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on (a) the proportion of food trucks not being able to have smooth border transit, (b) waiting times at borders, (c) the length of time of disruption to food supplies, (d) potential food price rises and (e) the finances of vulnerable people.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281008
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/08/2019 answer text <p>The government has been planning for a no deal scenario for the past three years and the cross government Border Delivery Group has been working on logistics issues and planning for a range of scenarios. The government has conducted exercises to test systems in preparation for leaving the EU without a deal and Operation Brock has been developed as a contingency plan, in the event that any problems arise at cross-Channel ports, to manage traffic flows.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 12/08/2019 08:54:11 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141406

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations the Government has received from representatives of (a) food companies and (b) food bank organisers on the worst-case effect on food supplies of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281009
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/08/2019 answer text <p>Defra Ministers and officials have been meeting regularly with the food industry to understand the potential impacts of a no deal scenario in October and support contingency planning by the industry. Alongside this, there has been cross-Government engagement including Defra with 3rd sector organisations to understand the concerns and views of representatives from the food aid sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to a strong safety net for those who need it and will continue to spend over £90 billion a year on welfare benefits. Additionally, Defra is working to increase levels of surplus food being redistributed through a £15 million fund to reduce unnecessary food waste that is still edible and can be redirected to feed those in need.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice grouped question UIN 281011 question first answered 08/08/2019 10:17:18 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141407

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the legal responsibility of local authorities to provide food in a time of crisis extends to (a) children, (b) people on a low income, (c) elderly people, (d) disabled people and (e) housebound people.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281010
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>Food is a critical national infrastructure sector and Defra has lead Government department oversight of responsibility for food supply in England. The policy is devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the constitutional settlement.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is not responsible for the supply of food and drink to the population in an emergency, and the expertise, capability and levers to plan for and respond to food supply disruption lie within the industry. However, we have well established relationships with the food and drink sectors, and we work collaboratively with the food industry and across Government to support coherent and robust industry contingency planning and response in the event of an incident situation. The food industry is experienced in dealing with scenarios that can affect food supply.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities do not have a general duty to provide food but have duties to provide food to particular groups in particular circumstances, including schools and care settings. Public sector food provision for specific sectors is led by the relevant Government departments. Defra works with lead Departments (including DfE, DHSC and MoJ) to support their contingency planning for food supply to public services. Defra’s role involves providing advice and support to these departments who in turn work with their public services to ensure that supply is resilient.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to a strong safety net for those who need it, which is why this Government continues to spend over £90 billion a year on welfare benefits.</p> answering member constituency Richmond Park answering member printed Zac Goldsmith question first answered 06/09/2019 14:02:23 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141408

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to involve (a) food surplus re-distributors and (b) frontline charities that feed vulnerable groups including (i) homeless shelters, (ii) domestic violence refuges, (iii) mental health groups in supply chain conversations and planning in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281011
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/08/2019 answer text <p>Defra Ministers and officials have been meeting regularly with the food industry to understand the potential impacts of a no deal scenario in October and support contingency planning by the industry. Alongside this, there has been cross-Government engagement including Defra with 3rd sector organisations to understand the concerns and views of representatives from the food aid sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to a strong safety net for those who need it and will continue to spend over £90 billion a year on welfare benefits. Additionally, Defra is working to increase levels of surplus food being redistributed through a £15 million fund to reduce unnecessary food waste that is still edible and can be redirected to feed those in need.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice grouped question UIN 281009 question first answered 08/08/2019 10:17:19 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141409

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to undertake a public awareness campaign on the effect on food (a) supply and (b) prices of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	281012
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/08/2019 answer text <p>On the 31st July, the Prime Minister announced a new £138 million public awareness campaign to prepare the public for every aspect of our leaving the EU without an agreement at the end of October.</p> answering member constituency Camborne and Redruth answering member printed George Eustice question first answered 09/08/2019 14:44:20 answering member 3934 label Biography information for George Eustice
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas