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1698395

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19031 on Universal Credit: Housing, for what reason there are different qualifying criteria for (a) Support for Mortgage Interest and (b) support that homeowners receive in respect of service charges.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	20257
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) and help with service charges cover different costs and different eligibility criteria apply.</p><p> </p><p>SMI is paid at a rate that the lending industry generally accept as sufficient to avert the threat of repossession. This help is often significantly less than the homeowner’s contractual liability, although eligibility was recently extended to assist homeowners with rising interest rates. While SMI provides support at the point of need, this help is in the form of an interest-bearing loan that is recoverable from equity when the property is sold.</p><p> </p><p>Eligible service charges are met in full and this help is in the form of a non-recoverable benefit.</p><p> </p><p>Given these differences the Department see no compelling argument for aligning entitlement rules.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/04/2024 15:43:39 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1696657

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2024
	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 he will make it his policy to bring homeowner service charge support in Universal Credit in line with Support for Mortgage Interest by (a) removing the zero earnings rule and (b) reducing the nine month qualifying period.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	19031
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department has no plans to amend the support that homeowners receive in respect of service charges.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 25/03/2024 12:07:59 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1685424

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2024
	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: Environment Protection
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which policies under each arms length body reporting to their Department fall within the scope of the Environmental principles policy statement, published on 31 January 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	11754
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2024 answer text <p>The duty does not require us to maintain a comprehensive list of policies within scope of the duty.</p><p> </p><p>The duty applies to all policies made from 1 November 2023, whether developed by a central department or an arm’s length body, which are:</p><ul><li>made by Ministers of the Crown; and</li><li>not covered by the exemptions for the armed forces, defense or national security, taxation, spending or the allocation of resources within government.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The environmental principles policy statement provides further information on what is considered policy in scope of the duty. Examples include strategies and frameworks.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 06/02/2024 12:20:37 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1673279

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2023
	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	Household 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 his Department's policy is on the Household Support Fund for 2024-25.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	3767
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2023 answer text <p><strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ<a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-11-23/3412" target="_blank">3412</a>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/12/2023 16:22:23 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1671967

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2023
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Mobility
	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 impact of proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessment criteria related to mobility on people with (a) Parkinson’s and (b) other conditions which significantly affect movement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	2850
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2023 answer text <p>We have published our response to the consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment criteria having carefully considered feedback from disabled people and people with health conditions, as well as the organisations that represent and support them.</p><p> </p><p>From 2025, we will make changes to the WCA that continue to protect those with the most severe conditions, while ensuring those that can work are supported in doing so. Most existing claimants that have already been assessed without work-related requirements, will be able to benefit from our Chance to Work Guarantee. This change will in effect abolish the WCA for the vast majority of this group, and they will be able to move towards work without fear of reassessment.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the Autumn Statement, the Government has also announced an expansion in tailored support for disabled people and people with health conditions, including Universal Support and NHS Talking Therapies.</p><p> </p><p>The OBR have said that they expect these changes to mean that 371,000 fewer people will be declared as having Limited Capability for Work Related Activity by 2028/29 than otherwise would be the case. HMT have published the impacts in their policy costing note that accompanies the Autumn Statement.</p><p> </p><p>Estimates are not based on specific conditions because the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 28/11/2023 13:55:17 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1670699

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	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 an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Carers UK's publication entitled State of Caring Survey 2023, published 17 October 2023; and if he will make it his policy to (a) raise the level of and (b) widen the eligibility criteria for the Caring Allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	2297
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2023 answer text <p>I am grateful to Carers UK for its publication. It is important that unpaid carers should receive all the financial support that is available to them, including from the benefit system through Universal Credit for those on the lowest incomes, and through Carer’s Allowance. We keep this support under continual review, reflecting a wide range of data and evidence, including from key stakeholders such as Carers UK, to see whether it is meeting its policy objectives.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 21/11/2023 15:25:51 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1668409

	registered interest
	date	08/11/2023
	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	Household Support Fund
	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 (a) provide a multi-year funding settlement for the Household Support Fund beyond March 2024 and (b) publish a long-term strategy for local crisis support in England; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	752
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The Household Support Fund currently runs to March 2024. As with all policies, this is kept under continuous review and any extension will be a matter for the Treasury.</p><p> </p><p>DWP has no current plans to publish a long-term strategy for local welfare assistance. Local authorities in England are funded through the local government finance settlement, from the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, to deliver local welfare provision using their existing powers.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/11/2023 16:03:37 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1667920

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	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: Deductions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in receipt of Universal Credit faced a (a) lowest, (b) low, (c) medium and (d) highest level sanction concurrently with deductions to their Standard Allowance of (i) up to five per cent, (ii) between six and 10 per cent, (iii) between 11 and 15 per cent, (iv) between 16 and 20 per cent, (v) between 21 and 25 per cent and (vi) more than 25 per cent in each of the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	145
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants must meet certain requirements to receive their UC payment. These will be based on individual and household information and will take account of health, earnings, caring responsibilities, alongside any ongoing work or volunteering. All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant and tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/11/2023 15:11:10 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1667927

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	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: Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people on Universal Credit have been sanctioned while awaiting a work capability assessment; and of those, how many have been subsequently assessed as having (a) limited capability for work and (b) limited capability for work related activity in each of the last 12 months for which data is available; and if he will make it his policy not to subject people awaiting (i) a work capability assessment and (ii) the outcome of work capability assessment to conditionality.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	146
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Conditionality supported by sanctions has been a longstanding feature of welfare benefit entitlements in the UK since the formation of the welfare state. Access to earnings replacement benefits, for example, is traditionally conditional on recipients being involuntarily unemployed and subject to reasonable work-related requirements.</p><p> </p><p>We will not expect a claimant to take up a job while they have suitable medical evidence, until the outcome of a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Any work-related requirements are agreed in discussion between the work coach and claimant. These should always be tailored to reflect the impact of the claimant’s health condition, disability, and wider circumstances, ensuring they are realistic and achievable</p><p> </p><p>We exempt people with more serious medical conditions and disabilities, and those who are terminally ill, from any form of conditionality and sanctions. This includes those who have been found to have Limited Capability for Work or Work-Related Activity following their WCA.</p><p> </p><p>In particular circumstances, work coaches can exempt claimants from usual availability and work search requirements for a temporary period by applying discretionary or compulsory easements. These circumstances include temporary periods of sickness.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/11/2023 15:19:51 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1667928

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	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: Deductions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been subject to (a) benefit deductions and (b) sanctions at the same time in each of the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	147
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Sanctions are only ever applied if a claimant has failed to undertake their agreed requirements without good reason.</p><p> </p><p>All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant and tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant currently has a sanction in place, any outstanding deductions cannot be applied until the sanction has concluded.</p><p> </p><p>We have a well-established system of hardship payments, available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs, including accommodation, heating, food and hygiene, as a result of their sanction.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/11/2023 15:19:47 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas