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1145116

registered interest
date	05/09/2019
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	Workplace Pensions: Neath
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people in Neath constituency have (a) opted out after being auto-enrolled into a workplace pension and (b) saved more than the auto-enrolment minimum contribution.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	287651
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>Automatic enrolment has achieved a quiet revolution through getting employees into the habit of pension saving, and reversing the decline in workplace pension participation in the decade prior to these reforms. Workplace pension participation rates are being transformed with 87% of eligible employees saving into one in 2018, up from 55% in 2012.</p><p> </p><p>The DWP does not hold data for individual constituencies in relation to opt outs or the number of individuals who have saved above the automatic enrolment minimum contribution level. However, we do know that overall around 9% of automatically enrolled workers have chosen to opt out which is significantly below original estimates; and our latest evaluation report shows that, in April 2017, approximately 5.9 million eligible employees were already meeting the April 2019 minimum contribution rates.</p><p> </p><p>In the Neath constituency, since 2012, approximately 3,000 eligible jobholders have been automatically enrolled and 860 employers have met their duties.</p><p> </p><p>Automatic Enrolment Evaluation Report 2018, available via the following weblink: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/764964/Automatic_Enrolment_Evaluation_Report_2018.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/764964/Automatic_Enrolment_Evaluation_Report_2018.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator’s data on Automatic enrolment declaration of compliance by constituency, available via the following weblink: <a href="https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests" target="_blank">https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 09/09/2019 16:38:16 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

868523

registered interest
date	21/03/2018
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	Jobseeker's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what formula is used to determine the figures for the JSA Applicable Amount as set out in regulations 83 and 84 (1) of Schedule 1 on Applicable Amount Part 1 Personal Allowances in the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	133743
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2018 answer text <p>The “applicable amount” for Jobseeker’s Allowance is set each year by the government after a review of the level of benefit that a claimant may receive. The rates for Jobseeker’s Allowance were originally based on the equivalent provisions for Income Support, which were in force in October 1996, when JSA replaced the element of that benefit for those who are unemployed, on low or no income or other financial means and are available and looking for work.</p><p> </p><p>The proposed benefit and pension rates for 2018/19 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2018-to-2019</a></p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 03/04/2018 14:55:43 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

823426

registered interest
date	16/01/2018
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: Post Office Card Account
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, why her Department is asking the recipients of state pensions to switch the accounts that their pensions are paid into from the Post Office to a bank, building society or credit union.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	122905
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2018 answer text <p>Direct Payment into a bank, building society or credit union account is the standard way to make all government payments.</p><p> </p><p>The Post Office card account (POca) was introduced in 2003 as a very simple service through which pension and benefits can be paid. It was always intended as a stepping stone into mainstream banking, and financial inclusion, while customers got used to elements of banking.</p><p> </p><p>There are now fewer barriers to prevent people, who do not have an existing account, from accessing and using one. Importantly as most bank accounts can be accessed at the post office it doesn’t need to change how or where they collect their money.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, POca is expensive to administer and as we deal with public funds we have a duty to use the most cost-effective method for issuing customer payments - which is into a bank, building society or credit union account.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 23/01/2018 17:03:28 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

820779

registered interest
date	11/01/2018
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 and Support Allowance: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to inform Employment and Support Allowance claimants who are approaching retirement age that their benefit is coming to an end and that they must prepare to make a new claim for state pension.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	122197
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>Provided the Department has their up-to-date address, it will send ESA claimants a letter four months before they reach State Pension age telling them they can now claim State Pension; and another letter telling them that their ESA payments will soon stop and advising them to claim State Pension instead. Claimants will also get help and guidance from their work coach and Benefit Centre staff, should they need it.</p><p> </p><p>This gives ESA claimants every opportunity to claim in time to ensure that there are no delays or disruptions between their final benefit payment and their first State Pension payment.</p><p> </p><p>More than one-third of people now choose to claim their State Pension online. People can also claim by phone or in writing ensuring all customers can access their Pension via whichever method suits their needs. It has never been easier to claim your State Pension.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton grouped question UIN 122199 question first answered 19/01/2018 11:14:40 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

820781

registered interest
date	11/01/2018
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 and Support Allowance: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what arrangements are in place to ensure that there are no delays or disruptions between final ESA payment and and the first state pension payment for people reaching state pension age.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	122199
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2018 answer text <p>Provided the Department has their up-to-date address, it will send ESA claimants a letter four months before they reach State Pension age telling them they can now claim State Pension; and another letter telling them that their ESA payments will soon stop and advising them to claim State Pension instead. Claimants will also get help and guidance from their work coach and Benefit Centre staff, should they need it.</p><p> </p><p>This gives ESA claimants every opportunity to claim in time to ensure that there are no delays or disruptions between their final benefit payment and their first State Pension payment.</p><p> </p><p>More than one-third of people now choose to claim their State Pension online. People can also claim by phone or in writing ensuring all customers can access their Pension via whichever method suits their needs. It has never been easier to claim your State Pension.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton grouped question UIN 122197 question first answered 19/01/2018 11:14:40 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

753614

registered interest
date	18/07/2017
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: Neath
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the number and proportion is of constituents in Neath who had their original decision on claiming personal independence payments overturned as a result of (a) mandatory reconsideration and (b) an appeal hearing in each year for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	5860
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2017 answer text <p>The latest available data on personal independence payment (PIP) clearances split by type of clearance (i.e. whether the claim was awarded, disallowed or withdrawn) can be found at <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here: <a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html</a></p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Mandatory Reconsideration decisions and appeal decisions where the award was changed by year of each decision since the introduction of PIP in the Parliamentary Constituencies of Cardiff Central, Swansea East, Ogmore, Wrexham and Neath</p><p> </p><p><em>Number of Initial decisions and Mandatory Reconsiderations decisions where the award changed by year of decision.</em></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Year of Mandatory Reconsideration</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>2017 (to April)</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>Number of Awards Changed at Mandatory Reconsideration</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cardiff Central</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>180</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Swansea East</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>90</p></td><td><p>230</p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>390</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ogmore</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>90</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>230</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wrexham</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>190</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>300</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Neath</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>30</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>180</p></td><td><p>60</p></td><td><p>360</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year of Appeal Decision</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>2017 (to April)</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>Number of Awards Changed at Appeal</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cardiff Central</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>60</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>160</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Swansea East</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>120</p></td><td><p>150</p></td><td><p>130</p></td><td><p>400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ogmore</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>90</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>210</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wrexham</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>140</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Neath</p></td><td><p>#</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>140</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>350</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p># is used for instances where there are less than 5 cases to avoid the release of confidential data.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 5085 5160 5178 5323 question first answered 25/07/2017 12:33:32 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

753615

registered interest
date	18/07/2017
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: Neath
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the number and proportion is of people in Neath constituency who were categorised as lifelong recipients of disability living allowance and who were subsequently judged ineligible to receive personal independence payments in each year for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	5861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2017 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 25/07/2017 13:43:22 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

447445

registered interest
date	25/01/2016
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	Food Banks
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to publish statistics on national food bank usage.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	23978
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2016 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to collect or publish statistics on food bank usage.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 28/01/2016 17:20:04 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

447446

registered interest
date	25/01/2016
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 Schemes: Mental Illness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of back-to-work programmes for people with mental health problems; and if he will take steps to change programmes judged to be ineffective.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	23980
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2016 answer text <p>Our ambition to halve the disability employment gap has been a key driver in establishing the Work and Health unit with the Department for Health. At least £115m of funding will go to the Work and Health Unit, including an innovation fund to test new ways to join up health and employment to help people with disabilities and health conditions to return to and stay in work.</p><p>Our wider employment programmes provide those with mental health conditions with the appropriate support to find work. Work Choice is an employment programme is specifically for those with a disability or health condition. Of the 14,290 starters who declared either a Severe or Mild to Moderate Mental Health condition as their Primary Disability, 6,650 (over 46%) have achieved a job outcome.</p><p>The Department conducts a monthly review of a sample of claimants from each employment contract, to assess the effectiveness of those programmes and requires providers to rectify any issues identified.</p><p>Further support is available through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Scheme. Last year, it supported 1630 people who declared a Mental Health condition as their Primary Medical Condition – a 15% increase on 2013/14 and a record number for the scheme.</p><p>Over the next three years, we are investing £43 million to develop an evidence base, via a range of voluntary trials, for what works to support people with mental health conditions into employment. Each of the voluntary trials will test a different approach of combined health and employment support.</p><br /> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 29/01/2016 13:44:48 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees

428233

registered interest
date	13/11/2015
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	Department for Work and Pensions: Wales
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, by what process his Department identified the areas of policy within its responsibility proposed for reservation in Annex B of the publication Powers for a Purpose: Towards a lasting devolution settlement for Wales, published on 27 February 2015.
tabling member constituency	Neath
tabling member printed	Christina Rees
uin	16153
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2015 answer text <p>Annex B to the Powers for a Purpose Command Paper provided an illustrative list of the main areas in which reservations would be needed in a reserved powers model. The list described the Government’s emerging thinking as the new reserved powers model was being developed. The Government published its full proposals in the draft Wales Bill on 20 October. .</p><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 23/11/2015 17:27:19 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
tabling member	4525 label Biography information for Christina Rees