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178373

registered interest
date	06/02/2015
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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to uprating the state pension of retired British citizens who have made full National Insurance contributions in the United Kingdom but who now live abroad.
tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
uin	HL4761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The policy of this Coalition Government on the up-rating of UK state pension paid to people living overseas is the same as that of successive post-war Governments. This is to up-rate such pensions where we are legally required to under the terms of EU law or a bilateral social security agreement. The up-rating policy is determined by the differing social security arrangements for the countries concerned. Most bilateral agreements were entered into over 40 years ago and based on the prevailing economic and social conditions such as labour market migration patterns – in both the UK and the other countries. The Commonwealth Charter, while it provides a broad statement of common values, does not overrule national legislation in commonwealth countries.</p><p> </p><p>Around 13 million UK state pensions are paid to those entitled, of which around 1.2 million are paid to those living outside the UK. Approximately 550,000 pensioners live in countries in which the UK state pension is not up-rated. The UK state pension is paid on the basis of National Insurance contributions and not on the basis of nationality or citizenship. Information on the nationality, citizenship and ethnicity of state pension recipients is not available. There is no evidence of a proven behavioural link between up-rating policy and pensioner migration. Many of the pensioners migrated well before they reached State Pension age. Only a small minority of UK state pension recipients, less than five per cent, moved overseas at retirement. However it remains important that those planning to live overseas consider the impact on their state pension. The decision to move abroad remains a personal choice for individuals.<br> <br></p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4762 HL4763 HL4764 HL4765 question first answered 10/02/2015 16:06:26 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

178374

registered interest
date	06/02/2015
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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the policy of freezing the state pension of retired individuals who live abroad in certain Commonwealth countries against the 2013 Commonwealth Charter commitments to fairness and non-discrimination; and with what result.
tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
uin	HL4762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2015 answer text <p>The policy of this Coalition Government on the up-rating of UK state pension paid to people living overseas is the same as that of successive post-war Governments. This is to up-rate such pensions where we are legally required to under the terms of EU law or a bilateral social security agreement. The up-rating policy is determined by the differing social security arrangements for the countries concerned. Most bilateral agreements were entered into over 40 years ago and based on the prevailing economic and social conditions such as labour market migration patterns – in both the UK and the other countries. The Commonwealth Charter, while it provides a broad statement of common values, does not overrule national legislation in commonwealth countries.</p><p> </p><p>Around 13 million UK state pensions are paid to those entitled, of which around 1.2 million are paid to those living outside the UK. Approximately 550,000 pensioners live in countries in which the UK state pension is not up-rated. The UK state pension is paid on the basis of National Insurance contributions and not on the basis of nationality or citizenship. Information on the nationality, citizenship and ethnicity of state pension recipients is not available. There is no evidence of a proven behavioural link between up-rating policy and pensioner migration. Many of the pensioners migrated well before they reached State Pension age. Only a small minority of UK state pension recipients, less than five per cent, moved overseas at retirement. However it remains important that those planning to live overseas consider the impact on their state pension. The decision to move abroad remains a personal choice for individuals.<br> <br></p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4761 HL4763 HL4764 HL4765 question first answered 10/02/2015 16:06:26 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

178375

registered interest
date	06/02/2015
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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of their policy to freeze rather than uprate the state pensions of those living abroad in countries without bilateral social security agreements on British pensioners living in the United Kingdom who might otherwise choose to move overseas.
tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
uin	HL4763
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2015 answer text <p>The policy of this Coalition Government on the up-rating of UK state pension paid to people living overseas is the same as that of successive post-war Governments. This is to up-rate such pensions where we are legally required to under the terms of EU law or a bilateral social security agreement. The up-rating policy is determined by the differing social security arrangements for the countries concerned. Most bilateral agreements were entered into over 40 years ago and based on the prevailing economic and social conditions such as labour market migration patterns – in both the UK and the other countries. The Commonwealth Charter, while it provides a broad statement of common values, does not overrule national legislation in commonwealth countries.</p><p> </p><p>Around 13 million UK state pensions are paid to those entitled, of which around 1.2 million are paid to those living outside the UK. Approximately 550,000 pensioners live in countries in which the UK state pension is not up-rated. The UK state pension is paid on the basis of National Insurance contributions and not on the basis of nationality or citizenship. Information on the nationality, citizenship and ethnicity of state pension recipients is not available. There is no evidence of a proven behavioural link between up-rating policy and pensioner migration. Many of the pensioners migrated well before they reached State Pension age. Only a small minority of UK state pension recipients, less than five per cent, moved overseas at retirement. However it remains important that those planning to live overseas consider the impact on their state pension. The decision to move abroad remains a personal choice for individuals.<br> <br></p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4761 HL4762 HL4764 HL4765 question first answered 10/02/2015 16:06:27 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

178376

registered interest
date	06/02/2015
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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all recipients of United Kingdom state pensions resident in Caribbean countries are treated on a fair and equal basis.
tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
uin	HL4764
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2015 answer text <p>The policy of this Coalition Government on the up-rating of UK state pension paid to people living overseas is the same as that of successive post-war Governments. This is to up-rate such pensions where we are legally required to under the terms of EU law or a bilateral social security agreement. The up-rating policy is determined by the differing social security arrangements for the countries concerned. Most bilateral agreements were entered into over 40 years ago and based on the prevailing economic and social conditions such as labour market migration patterns – in both the UK and the other countries. The Commonwealth Charter, while it provides a broad statement of common values, does not overrule national legislation in commonwealth countries.</p><p> </p><p>Around 13 million UK state pensions are paid to those entitled, of which around 1.2 million are paid to those living outside the UK. Approximately 550,000 pensioners live in countries in which the UK state pension is not up-rated. The UK state pension is paid on the basis of National Insurance contributions and not on the basis of nationality or citizenship. Information on the nationality, citizenship and ethnicity of state pension recipients is not available. There is no evidence of a proven behavioural link between up-rating policy and pensioner migration. Many of the pensioners migrated well before they reached State Pension age. Only a small minority of UK state pension recipients, less than five per cent, moved overseas at retirement. However it remains important that those planning to live overseas consider the impact on their state pension. The decision to move abroad remains a personal choice for individuals.<br> <br></p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4761 HL4762 HL4763 HL4765 question first answered 10/02/2015 16:06:27 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

178377

registered interest
date	06/02/2015
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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of (1) the number of British pensioners overall, and (2) the proportion of those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, who would be more likely to emigrate if the practice of freezing pensions for those who live overseas was ended.
tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
uin	HL4765
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2015 answer text <p>The policy of this Coalition Government on the up-rating of UK state pension paid to people living overseas is the same as that of successive post-war Governments. This is to up-rate such pensions where we are legally required to under the terms of EU law or a bilateral social security agreement. The up-rating policy is determined by the differing social security arrangements for the countries concerned. Most bilateral agreements were entered into over 40 years ago and based on the prevailing economic and social conditions such as labour market migration patterns – in both the UK and the other countries. The Commonwealth Charter, while it provides a broad statement of common values, does not overrule national legislation in commonwealth countries.</p><p> </p><p>Around 13 million UK state pensions are paid to those entitled, of which around 1.2 million are paid to those living outside the UK. Approximately 550,000 pensioners live in countries in which the UK state pension is not up-rated. The UK state pension is paid on the basis of National Insurance contributions and not on the basis of nationality or citizenship. Information on the nationality, citizenship and ethnicity of state pension recipients is not available. There is no evidence of a proven behavioural link between up-rating policy and pensioner migration. Many of the pensioners migrated well before they reached State Pension age. Only a small minority of UK state pension recipients, less than five per cent, moved overseas at retirement. However it remains important that those planning to live overseas consider the impact on their state pension. The decision to move abroad remains a personal choice for individuals.<br> <br></p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4761 HL4762 HL4763 HL4764 question first answered 10/02/2015 16:06:27 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

176632

registered interest
date	29/01/2015
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	Occupational Health
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made with the establishment of the Health at Work Assessment and Advisory Service.
tabling member printed	Lord Luce
uin	HL4541
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Fit for Work, previously known as the Health and Work Service, is comprised of two elements:</p><p> </p><p>i) Free, expert and impartial work-related health advice via a website and telephone line</p><p>ii) Referral to an occupational health professional for employees who are, or are expected to, undergo a period of sickness absence from work lasting four weeks or more. The Fit for Work occupational health professional will identify obstacles preventing the employee from returning to work and produce a Return to Work Plan tailored to the employee’s needs.</p><p> </p><p>The advice element of Fit for Work went live in England and Wales in December 2014.</p><p> </p><p>From January 2015 some GPs in the Sheffield area had the opportunity to try the assessment service. This will be expanded across the country over a period of months from spring, building on this experience and learning.</p><p> </p><p>Fit for Work Scotland is being delivered by the Scottish Government; the advice element went live in December 2014 and the referral element went live, initially in three NHS Board areas, in January 2015. As with England and Wales, this will be expanded across Scotland from the spring.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 04/02/2015 15:06:55 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	908 label Biography information for Lord Luce

176260

registered interest
date	28/01/2015
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	Social Security Benefits
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to implement the changes announced in December 2014 to provide more information about Short Term Benefit Advances online and in Jobcentres and to update the guidance on Short Term Benefit Advances for Jobcentre advisers.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4518
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, set out on 8 December 2014 (Official Report, column 633) how the Department for Work and Pensions will be doing much to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances (STBAs). This will include providing more information to claimants about STBAs online and in Jobcentres. Staff guidance on STBAs will also be updated and staff reminded of the process for considering an STBA.</p><p> </p><p>The department has already undertaken testing of the posters and messaging with a small number of staff and claimants. We have also asked the Social Security Advisory Committee to review these customer communication products before they are introduced.</p><p> </p><p>Once the products have been introduced we will, of course, closely monitor their effectiveness and impact, including on the number of requests for STBAs.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4519 HL4520 HL4521 question first answered 04/02/2015 15:06:07 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

176261

registered interest
date	28/01/2015
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	Social Security Benefits
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what procedures they have put in place to monitor the effectiveness of changes to the information and guidance provided on Short Term Benefit Advances in helping to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances among potential claimants.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4519
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, set out on 8 December 2014 (Official Report, column 633) how the Department for Work and Pensions will be doing much to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances (STBAs). This will include providing more information to claimants about STBAs online and in Jobcentres. Staff guidance on STBAs will also be updated and staff reminded of the process for considering an STBA.</p><p> </p><p>The department has already undertaken testing of the posters and messaging with a small number of staff and claimants. We have also asked the Social Security Advisory Committee to review these customer communication products before they are introduced.</p><p> </p><p>Once the products have been introduced we will, of course, closely monitor their effectiveness and impact, including on the number of requests for STBAs.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4518 HL4520 HL4521 question first answered 04/02/2015 15:06:07 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

176262

registered interest
date	28/01/2015
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	Social Security Benefits
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will evaluate the effectiveness of changes to the information and guidance provided on Short Term Benefit Advances in helping to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances among potential claimants.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4520
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, set out on 8 December 2014 (Official Report, column 633) how the Department for Work and Pensions will be doing much to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances (STBAs). This will include providing more information to claimants about STBAs online and in Jobcentres. Staff guidance on STBAs will also be updated and staff reminded of the process for considering an STBA.</p><p> </p><p>The department has already undertaken testing of the posters and messaging with a small number of staff and claimants. We have also asked the Social Security Advisory Committee to review these customer communication products before they are introduced.</p><p> </p><p>Once the products have been introduced we will, of course, closely monitor their effectiveness and impact, including on the number of requests for STBAs.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4518 HL4519 HL4521 question first answered 04/02/2015 15:06:08 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

176263

registered interest
date	28/01/2015
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	Social Security Benefits
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether changes to the information and guidance provided on Short Term Benefit Advances have led to an increase in the number of applications for Short Term Benefit Advances.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
uin	HL4521
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, set out on 8 December 2014 (Official Report, column 633) how the Department for Work and Pensions will be doing much to raise awareness of Short Term Benefit Advances (STBAs). This will include providing more information to claimants about STBAs online and in Jobcentres. Staff guidance on STBAs will also be updated and staff reminded of the process for considering an STBA.</p><p> </p><p>The department has already undertaken testing of the posters and messaging with a small number of staff and claimants. We have also asked the Social Security Advisory Committee to review these customer communication products before they are introduced.</p><p> </p><p>Once the products have been introduced we will, of course, closely monitor their effectiveness and impact, including on the number of requests for STBAs.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL4518 HL4519 HL4520 question first answered 04/02/2015 15:06:08 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans