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1125882

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2019
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	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 8 February 2019 to Question 217138, what designation has been assigned to those complaints.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Ged Killen
	uin	252883
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>I refer the honourable gentlemen to the answer previously given in response to Question 217138. The Independent Case Examiner closed all live complaints concerning changes to women’s State Pension age when they became subject to legal proceedings, as is required under its governance contract. In the event the legal proceedings fall away or there is no determination on the matters which form the basis of this group of complaints, the Independent Case Examiner could consider reopening the cases at the request of the Department. The Department cannot evaluate the potential merits of making such a request until the legal proceedings have been concluded.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 252884 question first answered 15/05/2019 09:21:53 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4672 label Biography information for Ged Killen

1125883

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2019
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	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 8 February 2019 to Question 217138, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of her Department instructing the Independent Case Examiner to reopen complaints relating to the equalisation of the state pension age cases in the event that legal proceedings fall away.
	tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	tabling member printed	Ged Killen
	uin	252884
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>I refer the honourable gentlemen to the answer previously given in response to Question 217138. The Independent Case Examiner closed all live complaints concerning changes to women’s State Pension age when they became subject to legal proceedings, as is required under its governance contract. In the event the legal proceedings fall away or there is no determination on the matters which form the basis of this group of complaints, the Independent Case Examiner could consider reopening the cases at the request of the Department. The Department cannot evaluate the potential merits of making such a request until the legal proceedings have been concluded.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 252883 question first answered 15/05/2019 09:21:53 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4672 label Biography information for Ged Killen

1125936

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2019
	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: Hearing Impairment
	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 adequacy of the information for British Sign Language users to contact the universal credit helpline through a video relay service.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
	uin	252874
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit has been designed with accessibility in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants.</p><p> </p><p>Where our customers need assistance to access our services and information, we make reasonable adjustments to meet their individual needs. DWP customers who have a specific communication barrier are able to use a variety of different communication methods including via third party interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL) and textphone and next Generation Text services are available to customers who are unable to contact the Department by phone.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Universal Credit claimants can use their online accounts to send messages direct to their Work Coach or Case Manager, check their Universal Credit benefit payments and notify us of any changes.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently in the design stage of a test to implement Video Relay Service for our Universal Credit British Sign Language customers in one geography by June 2019. This will be robustly evaluated incorporating customer insight ahead of any decision to roll out the service nationally.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 252875 question first answered 15/05/2019 14:23:31 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1125938

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2019
	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: Hearing Impairment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of British Sign Language users who have not received adequate support in accessing the universal credit helpline.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
	uin	252875
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit has been designed with accessibility in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants.</p><p> </p><p>Where our customers need assistance to access our services and information, we make reasonable adjustments to meet their individual needs. DWP customers who have a specific communication barrier are able to use a variety of different communication methods including via third party interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL) and textphone and next Generation Text services are available to customers who are unable to contact the Department by phone.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Universal Credit claimants can use their online accounts to send messages direct to their Work Coach or Case Manager, check their Universal Credit benefit payments and notify us of any changes.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently in the design stage of a test to implement Video Relay Service for our Universal Credit British Sign Language customers in one geography by June 2019. This will be robustly evaluated incorporating customer insight ahead of any decision to roll out the service nationally.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 252874 question first answered 15/05/2019 14:23:31 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1125532

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	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	Unemployment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of children in workless households.
	tabling member constituency	North East Hampshire
	tabling member printed	Mr Ranil Jayawardena
	uin	910855
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>There are an estimated 1.2 million children living in workless households in the UK, down 67,000 on the year and down 665,000 since 2010. There are now a third less children living in workless households than in 2010.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 13/05/2019 14:55:43 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4498 label Biography information for Mr Ranil Jayawardena

1125625

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	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	Department for Work and Pensions: Immigration
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will place in the Library, a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between her Department and HMRC in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	252531
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) regarding the EU Settlement Scheme have set out the information sharing arrangements between the Home Office and DWP, and separately, between the Home Office and HMRC. These are available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-uk-tax-and-benefits-records-automated-check" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-uk-tax-and-benefits-records-automated-check</a>. Each department has direct arrangements with the Home Office, therefore there is no requirement for an MOU between DWP and HMRC.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/05/2019 09:43:32 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1125661

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	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	Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what regular appraisals her Department undertakes of the performance of Capita in assessing claimants of personal independence payment.
	tabling member constituency	South Antrim
	tabling member printed	Paul Girvan
	uin	252615
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>All elements of Capita’s performance are monitored including the requirements for the quality of assessments, which are assessed through audit. The PIP audit process assesses the quality of a sample of assessment reports on a monthly basis against the standards set out in the PIP Assessment Guide, with feedback provided to the provider.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside contracted measures we continue to work extensively with Capita to ensure the quality of service is continuously improved, including improvements to guidance, training and the claimant journey.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has set Capita challenging targets for the ‘Lot 2’ contract covering Wales and the Midlands. The department robustly performance manages Capita against those requirements on a regular basis.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/05/2019 16:11:12 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4633 label Biography information for Paul Girvan

1125696

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2019
	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, how much her Department has spent on advertising universal credit in the Metro newspaper to date; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
	uin	252567
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department provides services to around 22 million people, and has a responsibility to communicate policy and essential information to claimants and other key audiences, in a similar way to other government departments. The ‘Opening Up Work’ campaign aims to increase understanding of how Universal Credit removes barriers to work and aids career progression, and to provide information to help people make a claim.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has spent the amounts shown in the table below with the Metro newspaper.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Spend (£)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017/18</p></td><td><p>20,918.16</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018/19</p></td><td><p>23,628.96</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong>Source:</strong> DWP internal accounts</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/05/2019 14:24:49 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1125287

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the (a) Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, (b) Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and (c) Social Security (Income-related Benefits) (Updating and Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 on the right of people with pre-settled status to access public funds.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	252029
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has always been clear that EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members granted status through the EU Settlement Scheme will be able to continue their lives in the UK much as before, with the same entitlements as now to access benefits, social housing and homelessness assistance services. Those granted pre-settled status under the scheme will not have any change in their entitlement to access benefits and services.</p><p> </p><p>A consultation has not been carried out as these regulations do not reflect a change in the existing rules or government policy and therefore will not have any adverse effects. These regulations provide legal clarity to claimants, applicants, decision makers and local authorities, delivering continuity and ensuring that the existing rules are applied fairly.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 252030 question first answered 13/05/2019 16:21:24 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1125288

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits: EEA Nationals
	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 had with stakeholder groups representing EEA citizens on the (a) Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, (b) Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and (c) Social Security (Income-related Benefits) (Updating and Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	252030
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has always been clear that EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members granted status through the EU Settlement Scheme will be able to continue their lives in the UK much as before, with the same entitlements as now to access benefits, social housing and homelessness assistance services. Those granted pre-settled status under the scheme will not have any change in their entitlement to access benefits and services.</p><p> </p><p>A consultation has not been carried out as these regulations do not reflect a change in the existing rules or government policy and therefore will not have any adverse effects. These regulations provide legal clarity to claimants, applicants, decision makers and local authorities, delivering continuity and ensuring that the existing rules are applied fairly.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 252029 question first answered 13/05/2019 16:21:24 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1125447

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	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 steps her Department has taken to ensure provision of out of working hours appointments to universal credit claimants who work during working hours.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	252105
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit is a 24 hour, seven days a week, digital service that allows claimants to manage their own data and account online at a time which is convenient for them. Via their account claimants can check their Universal Credit benefit payments, notify us of changes and record notes via an online journal facility. In addition, established claimants who call the Freephone Universal Credit helpline are connected directly to the person or team who are dealing with the case.</p><p> </p><p>We are aware that some claimants who are working may find it difficult to access our Jobcentre Plus Service due to their work commitments, however, not all Universal Credit claimants are required to attend interviews at their local Jobcentre. This will depend on their individual personal circumstances. For claimants whose earnings are above the individual or household Conditionality Earnings Threshold or the Administrative Earnings Threshold there is no conditionality requirement to attend interviews with a Work Coach.</p><p> </p><p>Where a voluntary interview is necessary to verify evidence, claimants are able to arrange the most convenient date and time with their Work Coach or Case Manager.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/05/2019 16:31:29 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1125459

	registered interest
	date	08/05/2019
	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	Television Licences: 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 the cost to the public purse was of providing free television licences to people over the age of 75 for qualifying residents in (a) Glasgow South West constituency, (b) Glasgow City local authority area and (c) Scotland in (i) 2017-18 and (ii) 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	252116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The policy for free TV licences for those aged 75 and over is the responsibility of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport until the BBC takes responsibility in 2020.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The table below provides estimates of the costs for 2017/18 of providing free TV licences to people aged 75 years and over in the geographical areas requested, in nominal prices. The figures for 2018/19 will be available in September.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Expenditure (£m) (Nominal)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017-18</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>(a) Glasgow South West constituency</strong></p></td><td><p>£0.7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>(b) Glasgow City local authority</strong></p></td><td><p>£4.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>(c) Scotland</strong></p></td><td><p>£51.7</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/05/2019 15:44:45 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 117714 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1124929

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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: Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make automatic payment of the housing cost element of universal credit directly to the landlord.
	tabling member constituency	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
	tabling member printed	John Lamont
	uin	251332
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit payments are designed to mirror the world of work, with monthly payments reflecting the way many working people are paid. This model of monthly payments allows claimants to take responsibility for budgeting their own income and helps prepare them for getting back to work.</p><p> </p><p>Many claimants are capable of managing their own financial affairs and for these claimants a Managed Payment to Landlords (MPTL) is not appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>A claimant’s personal circumstances could change in a way which means that they need additional support at any stage of a claim, not just at the start. As such, we make sure that managed payments to landlords (MPTL) are available to Universal Credit claimants when appropriate, either from the start of their claim or at whatever point in which they need help.</p><p> </p><p>A MPTL can be requested by the claimant, their representative or their landlord and will be considered on a case by case basis and requests for MPTLs are dealt with as a priority. Landlords who are given access to the Landlord Portal are also given Trusted Partner status which allows them to make recommendations on whether an MPTL should be put in place. All MPTL recommendations from Trusted Partners will be implemented in good faith by DWP.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 15/05/2019 11:07:15 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4608 label Biography information for John Lamont

1124942

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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: Cancer
	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 universal credit phone-line staff are adequately trained to understand the complex needs of claimants suffering with cancer.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	251218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>All DWP staff delivering Universal Credit undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality service to all claimants, including those who have cancer and other serious health conditions. Colleagues receive on-going learning in their roles and have access to Universal Credit guidance which is refreshed at regular intervals.</p><p> </p><p>The Department takes seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants. We are committed to ensuring that people who have cancer are treated with the upmost sensitivity and care, when making a claim to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people who claim Universal Credit to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs. This includes how they are identified and supported, either from our own staff or via referrals from local services. For instance, when a claimant is asked to attend a Work Capability Assessment, they are required to complete a UC50 questionnaire which incorporates a 'light touch' evidence gathering process for cancer patients; and makes clear that Clinical Nurse Specialists and consultants can provide information on the form.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/05/2019 13:32:02 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1124966

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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 assessment she has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) clarity of the universal credit payment statements provided to claimants.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	251202
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit (UC) has been designed with accessibility and accuracy in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants. Most people claiming UC will be able to access and navigate the internet, to make and maintain their UC account.</p><p> </p><p>The Department delivers UC in a way which responds to the needs of those who are supported by it. UC payment statements have been designed to give claimants a relevant breakdown of their award, including details of any outstanding debt and the reason for deductions. Every UC award is calculated based on the circumstances of individuals during each assessment period, taking into account savings, assets and income.</p><p> </p><p>Further enhancements will be introduced in the future to make UC payment statements even easier to understand, with a particular focus on making it clearer when amounts are deducted and whether people are being paid as a single person or as part of a couple. Claimants will be able to access a ‘blank’ statement, available through their online account as soon as their claim is received, allowing them to view expected entitlements based on what information has been submitted.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 251203 question first answered 13/05/2019 16:16:19 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1124967

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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 plans she has to increase the (a) accuracy and (b) clarity of the universal credit payment statements provided to claimants.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	251203
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit (UC) has been designed with accessibility and accuracy in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants. Most people claiming UC will be able to access and navigate the internet, to make and maintain their UC account.</p><p> </p><p>The Department delivers UC in a way which responds to the needs of those who are supported by it. UC payment statements have been designed to give claimants a relevant breakdown of their award, including details of any outstanding debt and the reason for deductions. Every UC award is calculated based on the circumstances of individuals during each assessment period, taking into account savings, assets and income.</p><p> </p><p>Further enhancements will be introduced in the future to make UC payment statements even easier to understand, with a particular focus on making it clearer when amounts are deducted and whether people are being paid as a single person or as part of a couple. Claimants will be able to access a ‘blank’ statement, available through their online account as soon as their claim is received, allowing them to view expected entitlements based on what information has been submitted.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 251202 question first answered 13/05/2019 16:16:19 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1124968

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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: Appeals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of whether the information provided to universal credit claimants, who request reasons for a decision, meets the statutory requirements that it should (a) be adequate to allow a challenge to the decision, if appropriate and (b) inform claimants of their right to challenge the decision.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	251204
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The decision notice sent to the claimant explains not only their dispute rights but also that they can request a statement of reasons for the decision made. That will not only be a comprehensive explanation for the decision, as required in law, but it will also remind the claimant of their dispute rights, including the time limit for making any dispute.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/05/2019 16:28:31 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1124969

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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 plans she has to give staff who advise universal credit claimants access to benefit calculations to enable them to provide better support.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	251205
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>Claimants and Jobcentre staff can access benefit calculators via the gov.uk website. This includes links to three independent calculators and advice on the type of information required to complete a calculation.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators</a></p><p> </p><p>The independent benefits calculators we endorse are intended to provide useful estimations of what people can get in certain circumstances, based on what information is entered on the calculators themselves. This is to allow people to safely explore what help they may receive from Universal Credit before they apply, or based on potential changes of circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/05/2019 16:22:27 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1125019

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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	Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has plans to introduce the Pensions Bill before summer 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough
	tabling member printed	Gill Furniss
	uin	251381
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>This Government has recently published responses to a series of consultations, and have engaged extensively with key stakeholders and the Pensions Regulator.</p><p> </p><p>In these we have committed to strengthen the Pensions Regulator’s powers to both enforce pension’s legislation and to punish those who have acted recklessly or failed to comply with their obligations. We have committed to facilitate industry to make pensions dashboards a reality. We are also compelling pension schemes to make consumers data available to them and to facilitate collective defined contribution schemes.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will bring forward legislation to introduce these measures as soon as parliamentary time permits.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/05/2019 15:14:40 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 117711 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4571 label Biography information for Gill Furniss

1125021

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits: Coventry
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people affected by administrative errors made by her Department which led to the overpayment of benefits in Coventry.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	251210
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is focused on paying people their correct entitlement.</p><p> </p><p>Administrative errors are referred to as ‘official errors’ which have arisen from processing errors or delays by DWP or a Local Authority.</p><p> </p><p>A quality checking regime is in place and this is helping address official error.</p><p> </p><p>National Statistics Fraud and Error 2018/19 published 9 May 2019, indicate that estimated losses from official error account for 0.4% of total benefit expenditure.</p><p> </p><p>Internal Management Information shows that 48k claimants with a CV postcode had an actual ‘official error’ overpayment in 2018/19.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 13/05/2019 16:33:14 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1125059

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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 number of claims for advance payments since the inception of universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Brent Central
	tabling member printed	Dawn Butler
	uin	251268
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit (UC) new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in financial need, which can be accessed on the same day, until their first UC payment is due. Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, for which they can pay back over a period of up to 12 months. From October 2021, this maximum repayment period will be extended further to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>Around 60 per cent of new claims take up an advance. Subject to some fluctuation, this rate of advance take-up has been broadly consistent over the last 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>Between 1 May 2013 and 30 April 2019, a total of 2.9 million UC advance payments have been made.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are payments of Universal Credit made early, which are subject to recovery over an agreed period.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 251269 question first answered 15/05/2019 16:32:19 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1489 label Biography information for Dawn Butler

1125060

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2019
	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 she has made of the cost to the public purse of advance payments for universal credit since its inception.
	tabling member constituency	Brent Central
	tabling member printed	Dawn Butler
	uin	251269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit (UC) new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in financial need, which can be accessed on the same day, until their first UC payment is due. Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, for which they can pay back over a period of up to 12 months. From October 2021, this maximum repayment period will be extended further to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>Around 60 per cent of new claims take up an advance. Subject to some fluctuation, this rate of advance take-up has been broadly consistent over the last 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>Between 1 May 2013 and 30 April 2019, a total of 2.9 million UC advance payments have been made.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are payments of Universal Credit made early, which are subject to recovery over an agreed period.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 251268 question first answered 15/05/2019 16:32:19 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1489 label Biography information for Dawn Butler

1124577

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the recommendation to exempt claimants in temporary accommodation from the benefit cap on page 7 of the report of the Work and Pensions Committee, The Benefit Cap, published on 12 March 2019, HC 1477, if she will ask local authorities to publish the number of households that are currently affected by the cap in their area; and how much Discretionary Housing Payment funding has been used to cover their rent shortfalls in the most recent period for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Bethnal Green and Bow
	tabling member printed	Rushanara Ali
	uin	250474
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The latest official statistics for households capped under Housing Benefit and Universal Credit were published on 2<sup>nd</sup> May 2019, and contain data on households capped to February 2019, published here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-number-of-households-capped-to-february-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-number-of-households-capped-to-february-2019</a>.</p><p>Statistics by Local Authority are available in Tables 2 and 9, respectively. The number of households who have had their Housing Benefit award capped by local authorities are also published on the DWP Stat Xplore portal (<a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a>).</p><p> </p><p>Statistics on the use of Discretionary Housing Payments (for local authorities in England and Wales) are provided by local authorities on a voluntary basis and as such may not correspond exactly to the total Discretionary Housing Payment funds allocated. In addition, Discretionary Housing Payment awards can be recorded against a combination of welfare reform categories including households affected by the benefit cap.</p><p> </p><p>The latest statistics on spend by local authorities, covering the period April to September 2018, are published here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/use-of-discretionary-housing-payments-april-to-september-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/use-of-discretionary-housing-payments-april-to-september-2018</a>.</p><p>Statistics relating to the specific welfare reform category can be found in Table 7.</p><p> </p><p>The latest full year of statistics available are for the 17/18 financial year and are published here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/use-of-discretionary-housing-payments-financial-year-2017-to-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/use-of-discretionary-housing-payments-financial-year-2017-to-2018</a>.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 14/05/2019 11:28:26 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4138 label Biography information for Rushanara Ali

1124222

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2019
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Reciprocal Arrangements
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what effect the UK leaving the EU without a deal would have on reciprocal pension agreements with EU member states.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	249961
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has consistently put citizens’ rights first in our negotiations with the EU. The best way to guarantee those rights, which include social security, both for UK nationals in the EU and EU citizens in the UK, is the deal that the Government has secured. The Government supported the amendment put forward by Alberto Costa MP which requires the Government to seek a joint UK/EU commitment to preserve the citizens’ rights section of the Withdrawal Agreement whatever the outcome of negotiations. The letter to the European Commission setting out the Government’s position and the Commission’s reply is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/costa-amendment-letter-to-the-eu-institutions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/costa-amendment-letter-to-the-eu-institutions</a></p><p> </p><p>The current EU arrangements providing for reciprocity in social security would no longer apply if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 249962 question first answered 14/05/2019 13:52:36 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1124223

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2019
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Reciprocal Arrangements
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions the Government have held with (a) the EU and (b) individual EU member states on reciprocal pension agreements after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	249962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government has consistently put citizens’ rights first in our negotiations with the EU. The best way to guarantee those rights, which include social security, both for UK nationals in the EU and EU citizens in the UK, is the deal that the Government has secured. The Government supported the amendment put forward by Alberto Costa MP which requires the Government to seek a joint UK/EU commitment to preserve the citizens’ rights section of the Withdrawal Agreement whatever the outcome of negotiations. The letter to the European Commission setting out the Government’s position and the Commission’s reply is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/costa-amendment-letter-to-the-eu-institutions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/costa-amendment-letter-to-the-eu-institutions</a></p><p> </p><p>The current EU arrangements providing for reciprocity in social security would no longer apply if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 249961 question first answered 14/05/2019 13:52:36 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1124225

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2019
	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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government has made an (a) reciprocal or (b) unilateral agreement to maintain the annual increases to the pensions of UK citizens residing in the Republic of Ireland if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	249964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The UK and Ireland signed on the 1 February 2019 a reciprocal agreement which will protect the social security rights of UK and Irish nationals living and/or working in each other’s state when the UK leaves the EU. It allows for the payment of each country’s uprated state pensions to recipients living in the other.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/05/2019 14:34:21 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1124252

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2019
	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: Wales
	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 she has made of whether universal credit adequately covers the cost of living in Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Ogmore
	tabling member printed	Chris Elmore
	uin	249988
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>Successive Governments have made decisions about the rates of benefits taking account of the competing demands on public expenditure, mindful of the need to balance poverty alleviation whilst not damaging incentives to work, as all Governments since 1948 have striven to do.</p><p> </p><p>Benefits provide a safety net for people to spend on their individual needs.</p><p>Government does not prescribe these, but provides support depending on circumstances such as ability to work and need for childcare.</p><p> </p><p>The applicable amount for Universal Credit is based upon a personal allowance paid according to age and family status, which can be supplemented by flat-rate premiums for groups recognised as having additional needs, such as disabled people and carers.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/05/2019 16:22:01 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4572 label Biography information for Chris Elmore

1124349

	registered interest
	date	01/05/2019
	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, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2019 to Question 243330 on Universal Credit, what proportion of universal credit claimants are unable to pay back the benefit advances they have taken within 12 months of their receipt in each year for which information is available.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	249845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>33% of UC advances which were paid before 5th May 2018, have not been fully repaid as at 5th May 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are not loans; they are an interest free payment benefit advance, available to help people who need immediate financial support, which is then recovered over an agreed period. The Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that advances meet the needs of claimants and that the recovery arrangements are personalised and reasonable. From October 2021 we are increasing the recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months, further supporting those in financial need.</p><p> </p><p>Queries against the current repayment stock are only ever a snap shot in time and therefore the position at the end of each financial year cannot be recreated.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/05/2019 17:00:23 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1123769

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2019
	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	Eastman Kodak: Pensions Protection Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government who is responsible for oversight of matters regarding the Pensions Protection Fund (PPF) and Kodak; and whether they plan to commission an independent review of the handling of Kodak by the PPF and the Pensions Regulator and the advice received by both.
	tabling member printed	Lord Myners
	uin	HL15407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Pension Protection Fund is a statutory public corporation led by its Board and accountable to Parliament through the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions.</p><p> </p><p>The original decision in the Kodak case, which provided savers with the potential to receive benefits above Pension Protection Fund levels, was finely balanced and carefully assessed with the benefit of the due diligence carried out for the trustees. Regulated Apportionment Arrangements, a restructuring mechanism which allows a financially troubled employer to detach itself from its liabilities in respect of a defined benefit scheme, are rare and The Pensions Regulator will only agree to them if stringent criteria are met, with entry into the Pension Protection Fund the expected outcome, and the Pension Protection Fund must not object to the Regulated Apportionment Arrangements. The Pensions Regulator published a section 89 regulatory intervention report in November 2014 describing in detail the considerations leading to the decision in this case.</p><p> </p><p>As a condition of approving the successor Kodak pension scheme in 2014, a memorandum of understanding was put in place giving The Pensions Regulator the power to closely monitor the progress of the scheme and if necessary trigger its wind up. This has allowed The Pensions Regulator, with the Pension Protection Fund, to remain actively involved in discussions about the scheme’s future. Due to underperformance of the underlying business it was concluded that the scheme would be unable to meet its long term funding requirements. Action has therefore been taken to bring the scheme into a Pension Protection Fund assessment period which commenced on the 25 March 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Specialist firms with extensive Pension Protection Fund experience have been brought in to manage the administration of the pension scheme and to oversee its efficient passage through the assessment process.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the Kodak case is a significant claim, the Pension Protection Fund remains in a robust financial position. In its last reported accounts, the Pension Protection Fund had a £6.7 billion reserve and is currently on track to reach its funding objective. There has been no immediate impact on the Pension Protection Fund Levy arising from this case. The Pension Protection Fund aims to collect £500m in levy in 2019/20 which is £50m lower than it aimed to collect in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator aims to learn from every major pensions restructuring case and has refined its approach to complex pension restructurings in light of the lessons learned in the Kodak case and successive cases. A letter was sent on the 17<sup>th</sup> October 2018 from Lesley Titcomb, the then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Pensions Regulator, addressed to the Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Rt Hon Frank Field MP, summarising the lessons learnt in the Kodak case.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 14/05/2019 15:29:45 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

1111209

	registered interest
	date	10/04/2019
	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	Flexible Support Fund
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the overall levels of payment were from the Flexible Support Fund (a) in each region, and (b) on (i) childcare, (ii) training, (iii) clothing for work and (iv) other categories of activity in each of the last 24 months.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford East
	tabling member printed	Anneliese Dodds
	uin	243572
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables attached.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 14/05/2019 12:03:52 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma attachment 1 file name Flexible Support Fund Expenditure by Region.docx title Flexible Support Fund Expenditure by Region previous answer version 114103 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4657 label Biography information for Anneliese Dodds

1082534

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2019
	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, in the most recent month for which data is available, in what proportion of universal credit assessments for working claimants was income data taken from (a) RTI data provided by HMRC and (b) claimants' payslips.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	229075
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not held by the Department. Adjustments to payments owing to RTI and self-reported earnings cannot always be separated from other adjustments to a payment, such as a repayment of advances.</p><p> </p><p>From the information that is readily available for Universal Credit Full Service, in January 2019, over 1 million households had payments processed, and of these around 380,000 had an adjustment.</p><p> </p><p>Of the 380,000 payments processed that had an adjustment:</p><p> </p><ul><li>88% of the records had earnings information from HMRC’s Real-Time Earnings system.</li><li>2% of the records had Self-Reported Earnings - cases where there were no available real time information feeds. Some of this information would have come from payslips, however it is not possible to break this data down further.</li><li>less than 0.5% of the records had both Real-Time and Self-Reported Earnings information; and</li><li>9% of the records had earnings from other sources such as self employed earnings and other income, which cannot readily be separated.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><ul><li>Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000.</li><li>Percentages are rounded to the nearest %.</li></ul> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/05/2019 17:11:54 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 106867 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1064763

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2019
	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, how much has been deducted from universal credit claimants' standard allowance in each month since April 2017.
	tabling member constituency	High Peak
	tabling member printed	Ruth George
	uin	224493
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2019 answer text <p>Internal figures are provided in the table below from two DWP datasets.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. The aim of the deductions policy in Universal Credit is to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their gas, electricity and water cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential services.</p><p> </p><p>The increase in Universal Credit caseload and activity to increase awareness of advances has had an effect on deductions. Increased awareness has resulted in around 60% of eligible new claims to Universal Credit receiving an advance in October 2018, providing further financial support until their first payment.</p><p> </p><p>Total amount deducted from Universal Credit payments between April 2017 and October 2018</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Month</p></td><td><p>Amount deducted [rounded to the nearest million]</p></td><td><p>Amount of Universal Credit paid [rounded to the nearest million]</p></td><td><p>Amount deducted as a percentage of Universal Credit paid</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr-17</p></td><td><p>£9,000,000</p></td><td><p>£140,000,000</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May-17</p></td><td><p>£10,000,000</p></td><td><p>£148,000,000</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jun-17</p></td><td><p>£10,000,000</p></td><td><p>£159,000,000</p></td><td><p>6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul-17</p></td><td><p>£11,000,000</p></td><td><p>£166,000,000</p></td><td><p>6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aug-17</p></td><td><p>£11,000,000</p></td><td><p>£176,000,000</p></td><td><p>6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sep-17</p></td><td><p>£12,000,000</p></td><td><p>£186,000,000</p></td><td><p>6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oct-17</p></td><td><p>£13,000,000</p></td><td><p>£195,000,000</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Nov-17</p></td><td><p>£13,000,000</p></td><td><p>£205,000,000</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Dec-17</p></td><td><p>£15,000,000</p></td><td><p>£216,000,000</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jan-18</p></td><td><p>£17,000,000</p></td><td><p>£232,000,000</p></td><td><p>7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Feb-18</p></td><td><p>£19,000,000</p></td><td><p>£243,000,000</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Mar-18</p></td><td><p>£22,000,000</p></td><td><p>£257,000,000</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr-18</p></td><td><p>£23,000,000</p></td><td><p>£266,000,000</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May-18</p></td><td><p>£25,000,000</p></td><td><p>£284,000,000</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jun-18</p></td><td><p>£27,000,000</p></td><td><p>£319,000,000</p></td><td><p>8%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul-18</p></td><td><p>£29,000,000</p></td><td><p>£335,000,000</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aug-18</p></td><td><p>£32,000,000</p></td><td><p>£360,000,000</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sep-18</p></td><td><p>£35,000,000</p></td><td><p>£380,000,000</p></td><td><p>9%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oct-18</p></td><td><p>£39,000,000</p></td><td><p>£410,000,000</p></td><td><p>10%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p>Data sources: Universal Credit Live Service Reference Datasets and Full Service PDM data, UC Analysis Division</p><p> </p><p>1. Figures are provided for the total of UC Live Service and Full Service. The data is sourced from two different computer systems and the information available is slightly different on each system.</p><ul><li>Full Service deductions include advance repayments and all other deductions, but exclude sanctions and fraud penalties which are deductions of benefit rather than deductions.</li><li>Live Service deductions do not include sanctions which are reductions of benefit rather than deductions, but may include Fraud Penalties as these could not be removed from the Live Service data.</li><li>The Full and Live Service datasets use slightly different definitions for the month. Full Service data uses the month the UC payment is due, whereas Live Service data uses the month the assessment period related to the payment ends. The 'Total' column sums the figures using these different definitions.</li></ul><p> </p><p>2. Increase in the total deduction amounts by month reflects the effect of Universal Credit (UC) roll out as more people move onto UC.</p><p> </p><p>3. Amount of Universal Credit paid reflects the amount of money paid to claimants and their landlords as part of their award. It does not include other payments such as advances and hardship payments.</p><p> </p><p>4. Figures are provisional and are subject to retrospective change as later data becomes available.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/05/2019 16:55:20 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 104615 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4662 label Biography information for Ruth George