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48050

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2014
	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
	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 provide a simple route for people to donate their universal benefits back to the state; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Windsor
	tabling member printed	Adam Afriyie
	uin	196078
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The majority of winter fuel payments are sent out automatically. However, people can simply return their winter fuel payment to the office that issues it. They can also write to the Department requesting not to receive a winter fuel payment for future years, either in advance of first getting a payment, or after they have received one or more payments.</p><p> </p><p>Anyone aged 75 or over is entitled to a free TV Licence for their main address. The free licence is not issued automatically and needs to be applied for. Once issued, licences are renewed automatically every year unless the customer does not have a National Insurance Number in which case TV Licensing will contact them to confirm their circumstances have not changed each year. An over 75 licence can be cancelled at any time and a paid-for licence requested.</p><p> </p><p>The concessionary travel benefit is optional. An eligible person can choose not to take up the entitlement. The National Travel Survey 2011 shows that in GB, 79 per cent of people eligible for an older persons' bus pass held one.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	1586 label Biography information for Adam Afriyie

49282

	registered interest
	date	30/04/2014
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what powers the Child Maintenance Service has to address non-compliance by employers with a notice of deduction of earnings; and how many cases have there been of such non-compliance in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Moor View
	tabling member printed	Alison Seabeck
	uin	197378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>It is a criminal offence under section 32 (8) of the Child Support Act 1991 not to comply with a deduction from earnings order. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action being taken against the employer, which can include a fine of up to £500.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The 2012 child maintenance scheme, administered by the Child Maintenance Service, was opened to all new applicants on 25 November 2013. We are not yet in a position to release full statistics for this scheme. When 2012 system data become available and fully assured they will be released as part of a managed process, which will be pre-announced and in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.</p><p> </p><p>With regard to cases on the 1993 and 2003 schemes operated by the Child Support Agency (CSA), it is not possible to specify the exact number of instances of non compliance with these orders. This is due to the fact that while data are collected on the numbers of deduction from earnings orders not receiving payment, this can be for reasons other than non-compliance, including time delays of the employer implementing the request and the time to action a change in employment circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>However, information on the number of prosecutions under section 32(8) of the Child Support Act 1991 in cases on the 1993 and 2003 schemes can be found on page 48 of the CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics at the following link:<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-support-agency-quarterly-summary-statistics-december-2013" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-support-agency-quarterly-summary-statistics-december-2013</a>.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 08/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	1552 label Biography information for Alison Seabeck

48392

	registered interest
	date	10/04/2014
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of extending the triple lock guarantee to all British pensioners resident abroad; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	High Peak
	tabling member printed	Andrew Bingham
	uin	196233
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The triple lock guarantee is intended to reflect the circumstances of pensioners living in the UK. It means that for this Parliament the basic State Pension will increase by the highest of the growth in average earnings or price increases or 2.5 per cent, for pensioners in the UK and for those who live overseas and currently receive an up-rated basic State Pension.</p><p> </p><p>There are no plans to change the up-rating arrangements for UK State Pension paid to pensioners overseas.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	3994 label Biography information for Andrew Bingham

48396

	registered interest
	date	10/04/2014
	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
	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 number of British pensioners resident abroad whose pensions have been frozen.
	tabling member constituency	High Peak
	tabling member printed	Andrew Bingham
	uin	196242
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The information as requested by nationality of State Pension recipient is not available.</p><p>However statistics on State Pensioners residing abroad by frozen and non frozen rate countries are available on the Department's website at:-</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/tabtool_sp.html" target="_blank">http://83.244.183.180/100pc/sp/tabtool_sp.html</a></p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	3994 label Biography information for Andrew Bingham

49511

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2014
	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
	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 number of businesses in Brigg and Goole constituency that will be issued with staging dates for automatic enrolment between 1 April 2014 and 1 April 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
	tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
	uin	197610
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon Julian Smith on 30 April, Official Report, Column 729W.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

49155

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2014
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received from the (a) Local Government Association, (b) Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and (c) Welsh Local Government Association on issues of staff protection, finance and timing in relation the proposal to establish a single fraud investigation service.
	tabling member constituency	Corby
	tabling member printed	Andy Sawford
	uin	197205
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>DWP has worked very closely with the Local Government Association, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Welsh Local Government Association throughout the life of the Project and continues to do so. All three organisations hold regular meetings with the Project and also have representatives on the key consultative and governance groups, for example the SFIS Project Steering Committee.</p><p> </p><p>The subject of staff terms and conditions has been discussed and we have assured all our stakeholders that terms and conditions of employment will be protected. This protection will be documented in the transfer order and employees transferring will not be subject to less favourable terms and conditions when they join DWP. This is in line with the Cabinet Office Statement of Practise for Staff Transfers in the Public Sector.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
	tabling member	4265 label Biography information for Andy Sawford

49163

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2014
	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
	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 level of TUPE contract protection available to fraud staff currently employed by local authorities who will be transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the single fraud investigation service.
	tabling member constituency	Corby
	tabling member printed	Andy Sawford
	uin	197206
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>DWP has considered whether the creation of SFIS falls within the TUPE definitions. The regulations state “…the transfer of administrative functions between public administrative authorities is not a relevant transfer” (for the purpose of TUPE). After careful consideration, DWP has concluded that benefit fraud investigations fall within this category, and as such, TUPE would not apply.</p><p>DWP has however, made clear that the success of SFIS is a priority and we intend to transfer staff currently working on fraud investigations from Local Authorities. To effect those transfers, DWP will apply the approach set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice for Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSOP) and staff will transfer under a Statutory Transfer Scheme (STS) as provided for under Section 38 of the Employment Relations Act 1999. In line with COSOP, the terms and conditions for transferring staff will be protected.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
	tabling member	4265 label Biography information for Andy Sawford

49296

	registered interest
	date	30/04/2014
	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
	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 effect on the public funds available to local authorities of the creation of a Single Fraud Investigation Service.
	tabling member constituency	Corby
	tabling member printed	Andy Sawford
	uin	197304
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Local Authority Administration Grant for 2014/15 will not be reduced due to the implementation of the Single Fraud Investigation Service. The proposals for 2015/16 and 2016/17 onwards are currently out for consultation with our key stakeholders, including Local Government representative groups.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
	tabling member	4265 label Biography information for Andy Sawford

49487

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2014
	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
	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 potential effect of the creation of a Single Fraud Investigation Service on the level of fraud against local authorities.
	tabling member constituency	Corby
	tabling member printed	Andy Sawford
	uin	197496
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The introduction of single fraud investigation service will ensure that all allegations of local authority welfare benefit fraud are investigated appropriately in accordance with a single policy. As such the SFIS project strengthens the approach to investigating and tackling welfare benefit fraud in local authorities.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
	tabling member	4265 label Biography information for Andy Sawford

50179

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2014
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is in place to help people with ME or chronic fatigue syndrome who are well enough to consider a return to work.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Dorset and North Poole
	tabling member printed	Annette Brooke
	uin	198031
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>We do not target our employment programmes exclusively at individuals with particular conditions such as M.E. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Department's programmes, including its specialist disability employment programmes, aim to identify and meet the needs of the individual, including those with M.E. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work provides additional support for individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. It provides individuals and their employers with advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of an individual's needs. Access to Work does not replace the duty an employer has under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments.</p><p> </p><p>Work Choice is a specialist disability employment programme that provides tailored support to help disabled people who face the most complex barriers to employment, find and stay in work and ultimately help them progress into unsupported employment, where it is appropriate for the individual.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisers can provide support and advice for disabled people who need help finding and retaining employment. They can refer individuals to specialist programmes, including Work Choice, and can use the professional expertise of Work Psychologists, who specialise in working with disabled people. Disability Employment Advisers can advocate with employers on the individual's behalf and help employers to explore job solutions such as the restructuring of a job's tasks/environment, or the provision/change of equipment.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published ‘The disability and health employment strategy: the discussion so far' on 17 December 2013. This paper sets out a range of proposals to further improve our employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that getting the right support at the right time is particularly important for disabled people and those with a health condition so as part of our vision for future employment support we are developing a new Employment Gateway. This will be a light-touch process based on an individual's strengths and needs and will direct people to the most appropriate support.</p><p> </p><p>In order to support individuals to stay in work where possible we are putting in place a new Health and Work Service (HWS).The HWS will provide occupational health advice and support for employees, employers and GP's to help individuals with a health condition to stay in or return to work.</p><p> </p><p>The intention is to introduce the service by the end of 2014.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning grouped question UIN 198105 question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	1431 label Biography information for Annette Brooke