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47375

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of jobseeker's allowance appeals were represented at tribunal between (a) 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 and (b) 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014; and what proportion of such claimants were successful.
	tabling member constituency	Makerfield
	tabling member printed	Yvonne Fovargue
	uin	195524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The First-tier Tribunal - Social Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by HM Courts &amp; Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits including Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA).</p><p> </p><p>(1) The following table shows (i) the proportion of appeals against JSA which were represented and (ii) the proportion of those appeals which were found in favour of the appellant for the period (a) 1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013 and (b) 1 April – 31 December 2013 (the latest period for which figures have been published).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) Appeals</strong></p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>April 2012 – March</strong><strong>2013</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>April –December 2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1Number of JSA appeals disposed of at Tribunal Hearing</p></td><td><p> </p><p>33,976</p></td><td><p> </p><p>32,635</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2Proportion attended by representative (%)</p></td><td><p> </p><p>2%</p></td><td><p> </p><p>3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Proportion attended by representative where the decision is in favour of the appellant (%)</p></td><td><p> </p><p> </p><p>60%</p></td><td><p> </p><p> </p><p>64%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>1 includes Oral &amp; Paper hearings</p><p>2 Oral appeal hearings attended by a representative.</p><p> </p><p>A combination of reasons can lead to a decision being overturned on appeal. For example a hearing may generate additional evidence, in particular oral evidence provided by the appellant at the hearing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>(2) Information on appeals received by the Tribunal against decisions made about claims for JSA is published by the Ministry of Justice in Tribunal Statistics Quarterly. The most recent report, which includes the number of appeals received in the periods (a) 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 and (b) 1 April to 31 December 2013, can be viewed at</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/289342/tribunal-stats-oct-dec-2013.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/289342/tribunal-stats-oct-dec-2013.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	4034 label Biography information for Yvonne Fovargue

47376

	registered interest
	date	07/04/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many appeals against jobseeker's allowance decisions went to tribunal between (a) 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 and (b) 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Makerfield
	tabling member printed	Yvonne Fovargue
	uin	195526
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The First-tier Tribunal - Social Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by HM Courts &amp; Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits including Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA).</p><p> </p><p>(1) The following table shows (i) the proportion of appeals against JSA which were represented and (ii) the proportion of those appeals which were found in favour of the appellant for the period (a) 1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013 and (b) 1 April – 31 December 2013 (the latest period for which figures have been published).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) Appeals</strong></p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>April 2012 – March</strong><strong>2013</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>April –December 2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1Number of JSA appeals disposed of at Tribunal Hearing</p></td><td><p> </p><p>33,976</p></td><td><p> </p><p>32,635</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2Proportion attended by representative (%)</p></td><td><p> </p><p>2%</p></td><td><p> </p><p>3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Proportion attended by representative where the decision is in favour of the appellant (%)</p></td><td><p> </p><p> </p><p>60%</p></td><td><p> </p><p> </p><p>64%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>1 includes Oral &amp; Paper hearings</p><p>2 Oral appeal hearings attended by a representative.</p><p> </p><p>A combination of reasons can lead to a decision being overturned on appeal. For example a hearing may generate additional evidence, in particular oral evidence provided by the appellant at the hearing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>(2) Information on appeals received by the Tribunal against decisions made about claims for JSA is published by the Ministry of Justice in Tribunal Statistics Quarterly. The most recent report, which includes the number of appeals received in the periods (a) 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 and (b) 1 April to 31 December 2013, can be viewed at</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/289342/tribunal-stats-oct-dec-2013.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/289342/tribunal-stats-oct-dec-2013.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 10/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	4034 label Biography information for Yvonne Fovargue

45162

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what scrutiny the Major Projects Authority has given to the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194002
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p>The Major Projects Authority (MPA) has been applying MPA assurance processes to the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) including a Project Assessment Review and Gateway Reviews. Further information on the ESMCP Programme is available at the link below:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-services-mobile-communications-programme</p><p>Delivery Confidence Assessment ratings are supplied according to the MPA's Transparency Policy which is on the Cabinet Office website. The policy allows for non-disclosure of information which should properly remain confidential, for example where it is market sensitive or necessary to safeguard national security.</p><p>This will be in line with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/major-projects-transparency-policy-and-exemptions-guidance</p><p>The DCA for ESMCP was not revealed in MPA's first annual report last year in line with the above policy. The next annual report of the MPA is due to be published in May.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Mr Francis Maude grouped question UIN 194003 question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 115 label Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

45163

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what Red, Amber, Green ratings the Major Projects Authority has given to the Emergency Services Communications Programme.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194003
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p>The Major Projects Authority (MPA) has been applying MPA assurance processes to the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) including a Project Assessment Review and Gateway Reviews. Further information on the ESMCP Programme is available at the link below:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-services-mobile-communications-programme</p><p>Delivery Confidence Assessment ratings are supplied according to the MPA's Transparency Policy which is on the Cabinet Office website. The policy allows for non-disclosure of information which should properly remain confidential, for example where it is market sensitive or necessary to safeguard national security.</p><p>This will be in line with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/major-projects-transparency-policy-and-exemptions-guidance</p><p>The DCA for ESMCP was not revealed in MPA's first annual report last year in line with the above policy. The next annual report of the MPA is due to be published in May.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Horsham answering member printed Mr Francis Maude grouped question UIN 194002 question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 115 label Biography information for Lord Maude of Horsham
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

45318

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme delivers a cost effective network that meets the standards of security and resilience essential for mission-critical communications.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194001
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Programme has undertaken an extensive market engagement exercise to help <br>determine the technical and commercial feasibility of the proposed Emergency <br>Services Network (ESN). The results of these industry soundings indicate that <br>it should be possible to move to Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) solution based <br>technologies that will be more cost effective and will allow the Emergency <br>Services communications to evolve in line with developments in the consumer <br>market. The outline business case, approved in March 2014, included costs for <br>the security and resilience enhancements required to provide the appropriate <br>service levels for ESN users.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Ashford answering member printed Damian Green question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 76 label Biography information for Damian Green
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

45319

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assurances she has received from operators of commercially available mobile networks that the emergency services will be able to over-ride commercial or public traffic during emergencies.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194000
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme has worked with the <br>Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) since February 2013, running a series of <br>supplier workshops and market engagement sessions throughout 2013 and the first <br>quarter of 2014 ahead of procurement launch. The MNOs have run a series of <br>capability demonstrations, organised by the Programme, to showcase development <br>of this technical solution. The Programme has confidence that this capability <br>is deliverable. The MNOs met the Minister for the Cabinet Office during <br>February 2014, where they confirmed their ability and willingness to deliver <br>the technology required to enable the emergency services to operate effectively <br>over a commercially available mobile network, including provision of <br>prioritisation of Emergency Service traffic.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Ashford answering member printed Damian Green question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 76 label Biography information for Damian Green
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

45320

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2014
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers about proposals for the emergency services communications network to be operated on a commercially available network.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	193999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The recommendation to base the replacement communication system, for the <br>emergency services, on a commercially available network was agreed during <br>development of the Emergency Service Mobile Communications Programme Business <br>Case. This preferred direction of travel and alternative options, were briefed <br>to ACPO, and were written with the involvement, assurance and approval of the 3 <br>emergency services, funding departments and the devolved governments of Wales <br>and Scotland.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Ashford answering member printed Damian Green question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 76 label Biography information for Damian Green
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

46386

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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 plans he has to penalise companies who have failed to carry out medical assessments for personal independence payments in a timely manner.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194646
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.</p><p>As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.</p><p>Whilst there are no statutory (legal) requirements to complete action on a claim to PIP within a specified time, we have set both personal independence payment assessment providers a target for the length of time to complete assessments of 30 working days.</p><p>Any delays experienced in the new claims process will not affect the date from which claimants are paid; all successful claims will be paid from the date the claim was initially made or the date the qualifying period is met, whichever is the later.</p><p>As for the administration of all benefits, a claimant is free to complain about the service they have received from the Department for Work and Pensions. Complaints about the service received from our assessment providers should be made direct to the relevant assessment provider. A complaint may result in a special payment if the claimant has experienced unfair treatment or suffered financially.</p><p>The Department has robust expectations for provider performance and contracts include a full set of service level agreements setting out expectations for service delivery, including quality of assessments and the number of days to provide advice to the Department. Officials meet regularly with both assessment providers to discuss performance. The contracts include a range of remedies and failure to meet contractual obligations will result in the Department applying service credits in line with the contract.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning grouped question UIN 194642 194643 194644 194645 question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

46387

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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 compensation is available to those suffering financial hardship as a result of failure to carry out assessments for personal independence payments in a timely manner.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194645
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.</p><p>As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.</p><p>Whilst there are no statutory (legal) requirements to complete action on a claim to PIP within a specified time, we have set both personal independence payment assessment providers a target for the length of time to complete assessments of 30 working days.</p><p>Any delays experienced in the new claims process will not affect the date from which claimants are paid; all successful claims will be paid from the date the claim was initially made or the date the qualifying period is met, whichever is the later.</p><p>As for the administration of all benefits, a claimant is free to complain about the service they have received from the Department for Work and Pensions. Complaints about the service received from our assessment providers should be made direct to the relevant assessment provider. A complaint may result in a special payment if the claimant has experienced unfair treatment or suffered financially.</p><p>The Department has robust expectations for provider performance and contracts include a full set of service level agreements setting out expectations for service delivery, including quality of assessments and the number of days to provide advice to the Department. Officials meet regularly with both assessment providers to discuss performance. The contracts include a range of remedies and failure to meet contractual obligations will result in the Department applying service credits in line with the contract.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning grouped question UIN 194642 194643 194644 194646 question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

46389

	registered interest
	date	01/04/2014
	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 reasons for backlogs of medical assessments for personal independence payments.
	tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
	tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
	uin	194642
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.</p><p>As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.</p><p>Whilst there are no statutory (legal) requirements to complete action on a claim to PIP within a specified time, we have set both personal independence payment assessment providers a target for the length of time to complete assessments of 30 working days.</p><p>Any delays experienced in the new claims process will not affect the date from which claimants are paid; all successful claims will be paid from the date the claim was initially made or the date the qualifying period is met, whichever is the later.</p><p>As for the administration of all benefits, a claimant is free to complain about the service they have received from the Department for Work and Pensions. Complaints about the service received from our assessment providers should be made direct to the relevant assessment provider. A complaint may result in a special payment if the claimant has experienced unfair treatment or suffered financially.</p><p>The Department has robust expectations for provider performance and contracts include a full set of service level agreements setting out expectations for service delivery, including quality of assessments and the number of days to provide advice to the Department. Officials meet regularly with both assessment providers to discuss performance. The contracts include a range of remedies and failure to meet contractual obligations will result in the Department applying service credits in line with the contract.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning grouped question UIN 194643 194644 194645 194646 question first answered 08/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi