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1301260

registered interest
date	10/03/2021
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: Motor Neurone Disease
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to remove the reasonable expectation of death within six months provision under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness for benefit claimants who are terminally ill with motor neurone disease.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	166429
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2021 answer text <p>The Department is committed to delivering an improved benefit system for all claimants that are nearing the end of their lives and is working across Government to bring forward proposals following the evaluation. I remain committed to implementing the key areas identified in the evaluation; a consensus to change the six-month rule; improving ​consistency with other services used by people nearing the end of their lives; and raising awareness of the support that is available.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/03/2021 14:20:56 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1301325

registered interest
date	10/03/2021
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	Personal Independence Payment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect on claimants of having to proactively reapply for personal independence payments as opposed to having an integrated process of automatic renewal of those payments.
tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
uin	166483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2021 answer text <p>On Personal Independence Payment (PIP), we do not have an integrated process of automatic renewals but review claimants to ensure their award reflects their needs. Once someone has been awarded PIP, which can be paid at one of eight rates, that award will be reviewed. Award rates and their durations are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing. Regular reviews are a key feature of the benefit and ensure that payments accurately match the current needs of claimants, something fundamentally missing from Disability Living Allowance, which PIP began to replace in 2013. Award durations are based on an individual’s circumstances and can vary from nine months to an on-going award, with a light touch review at the ten-year point.</p><p> </p><p>Some claimants can be given a shorter, fixed-term award which isn’t subject to a review on the basis that the individual’s needs will improve to the point they are not entitled by the end of their award. Claimants subject to such an award are free to make a new claim before their award ends if they consider they may still be entitled.</p><p> </p><p>Since PIP was introduced we have implemented changes and improved guidance which reduces the frequency of reviews for most pensioners and those with the highest needs and where those needs will not improve or will deteriorate.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/03/2021 14:18:35 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry

1301378

registered interest
date	10/03/2021
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	Disability: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the financial effect of the covid-19 outbreak on disabled people and their carers in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England.
tabling member constituency	Coventry North East
tabling member printed	Colleen Fletcher
uin	166460
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2021 answer text <p>Disabled people and their carers have access to the full range of social security benefits according to their circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>DWP Ministers and officials regularly discuss support for disabled people and carers with their counterparts across Government and recognise and value the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/03/2021 14:15:41 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4378 label Biography information for Colleen Fletcher

1300827

registered interest
date	09/03/2021
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	Personal Independence Payment: Contracts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what criteria her Department based its decision to award the contract for assessing personal independence payment claimants to (a) Capita and (b) Independent Assessment Services.
tabling member constituency	Cynon Valley
tabling member printed	Beth Winter
uin	165693
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2021 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP) contracts in 2012.</p><p> </p><p>Each contract was awarded to the supplier offering the most economically advantageous tender for each contract Lot (geographical area), using an open fair and transparent evaluation methodology.</p><p> </p><p>The Department used the following evaluation criteria for all contracts:</p><p> </p><ul><li>60% Quality Assessment</li><li>30% Finance Assessment</li><li>10% Risk Assessment</li></ul><p> </p><p>Capita Business Services Ltd were awarded the Lot 2 contract, covering Central England and Wales.</p><p> </p><p>Atos IT Services UK Ltd (now trading as Independent Assessment Services) were awarded the Lot 1 contract, covering North East England, North West England &amp; Scotland and Lot 3 contract, covering London and Southern England.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 12/03/2021 13:49:47 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4809 label Biography information for Beth Winter

1300042

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What assessment she has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the level of welfare support required by disabled people.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Glamorgan
tabling member printed	Alun Cairns
uin	913013
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>This Government is committed to supporting disabled people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and has delivered an unprecedented package of support, putting £7 billion into the welfare system.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor the impact on disabled people using existing and new data sources, whilst ensuring that they are able to access the support they need.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 08/03/2021 17:58:43 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4086 label Biography information for Alun Cairns

1300044

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
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	Statutory Sick Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of statutory sick pay.
tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
uin	913023
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>Statutory Sick Pay provides a minimum level of income for employees who are unable to work and we have made temporary changes to support people to follow public health advice on coronavirus.</p><p>Individuals can receive further financial support through the welfare system and the Test and Trace support payment scheme depending on individual circumstances.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 08/03/2021 17:58:53 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

1300088

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
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	Disability: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the financial situation of disabled people and their carers.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	164607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2021 answer text <p>Disabled people and their carers have access to the full range of social security benefits according to their circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>DWP Ministers and officials regularly discuss support for disabled people and carers with their counterparts across Government and recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/03/2021 15:23:57 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1300183

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
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	Employment: Long Covid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to make support available to employees suffering from long covid.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
uin	164651
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2021 answer text <p>On 18 February 2021, the Government announced that the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research Innovation (UKRI) had been awarded £18.5 million in funding for four research projects to help understand and address the longer-term health effects of COVID-19 in non-hospitalised patients.</p><p> </p><p>As research into the long-term health symptoms and impacts of COVID-19 is ongoing, we are collaborating across Government to monitor emerging evidence and consider our response.</p><p> </p><p>People with a condition arising from exposure to the Covid-19 virus are able to access Personal Independence Payment in the same way as other people with long-term health conditions or disabilities. Disability benefits do not include or exclude by condition, instead they look at the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability.</p><p> </p><p>Financial support is available through Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, New Style ESA. People who have symptoms of Long Covid should see their GP, if their health condition impacts on their ability to work a fit note may be issued. People can claim ESA or Pension Credit depending on their individual circumstances.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/03/2021 14:28:18 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1300203

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
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	Carer's Allowance: Overpayments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March to Question 156242 on Carer's Allowance: Overpayments, what information her Department holds on the starting date and durations of the overpayments of Carer’s Allowance first identified in (a) 2018-19, (b) 2019-20 and (c) 2020-21.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	164343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2021 answer text <p>The Government recognises and appreciates the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting loved ones who are ill, frail or disabled.</p><p> </p><p>The Carer’s Allowance debts referred to Debt Management in each of the last 3 years, reflect individual overpayments; the starting dates and durations will therefore vary accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>However, the average lengths of the recoverable Carer’s Allowance overpayments referred to Debt Management in each of the requested years was as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2018/2019</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2019/2020</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2020/2021 YTD</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Average Length (Days)</strong></p></td><td><p>164</p></td><td><p>213</p></td><td><p>135</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>I can also confirm that the median start dates for those overpayments were:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2018/2019</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2019/2020</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2020/2021 YTD</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Median Start Date</strong></p></td><td><p>06/11/2017</p></td><td><p>17/12/2018</p></td><td><p>09/12/2019</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>These overpayments have arisen in the main because changes have not been reported on time. DWP takes every care to explain a claimant’s responsibilities when they apply for Carer’s Allowance; this includes the need to report changes on time. The Department has improved Carer’s Allowance communications to make this even clearer.</p><p> </p><p>New technology and additional staffing have now made it easier to identify and prevent overpayments.</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>The Department has a duty to recover overpaid benefits as quickly and efficiently as possible.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Overpayment recovery is subject to various legislative limitations and safeguards so customers do not experience financial hardship.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>There are rules covering the amount of money we can take from a person’s benefit and customers are informed in advance before benefit deductions start.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Where a person claims they cannot afford the proposed rate of recovery, they are asked to provide details of their income and expenditure. When this information is provided, their financial circumstances can be taken into account and a reduction in their rate of repayment may be agreed. In these circumstances, the situation would be reviewed at regular periods. In exceptional circumstances, a temporary suspension of recovery may be agreed.</li></ul> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/03/2021 17:50:56 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1300282

registered interest
date	08/03/2021
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	Surgical Mesh Implants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that her Department's assessors are aware of the symptoms of mesh injury.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	164391
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2021 answer text <p>All health professionals carrying out Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments and Work Capability Assessments (WCA) on behalf of the department have been issued with guidance on mesh which was developed in conjunction with external stakeholders and will be reviewed and updated as necessary.</p><p> </p><p>The department requires health professionals carrying out assessments to have a broad training in disability analysis, as well as training in specific conditions, including multiple and complex conditions. While preparing to undertake an assessment, health professionals can access a wide range of clinical resources to research any condition presented. This includes evidence based protocols, e-learning modules or case studies, as well as keeping knowledge up to date through Continuous Professional Development (CPD).</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/03/2021 15:26:33 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson