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1139815

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	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: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on the development of universal credit management systems to enable the collation of the number of domestic violence easements.
	tabling member constituency	Rotherham
	tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
	uin	278516
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>We are continuing to develop our approach to capture accurate, aggregate data on vulnerable claimants, including those who are victims of domestic and economic abuse. This work is ongoing and has been prioritised for the current Universal Credit development phase. This involves us meeting with claimants and expert users such as third parties and Work Coaches to see how people will respond to being asked about their circumstance and support they may require. We are also working on how we can use the Claimant Commitment to capture information about when easements have been applied for claimants.</p><p> </p><p>We are also implementing other improvements across our service for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and in response to one of the Joint Committee’s recommendations on the Domestic Abuse Bill, we have committed to review and evaluate the effectiveness of a new feature to encourage payments of UC to the main carer and the introduction of domestic abuse specialists in every Jobcentre.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/07/2019 11:53:32 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1139814

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	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: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department collects on needs of claimants of universal credit that are survivors of domestic abuse.
	tabling member constituency	Rotherham
	tabling member printed	Sarah Champion
	uin	278515
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department is sensitive to the fact that it can be difficult for any victim of domestic abuse to come forward and disclose this. Universal Credit claimants are assigned to a single Work Coach, with whom they can build a trusting relationship. All of our work coaches have received mandatory training, developed with input from domestic abuse charities in order to help them recognise the signs of abuse. If it becomes apparent that a claimant has been, or is a victim of domestic abuse, as soon as they feel able to disclose this personal and sensitive information, a discussion should take place about their circumstances to enable their work coach to tailor the support they provide to their needs. This includes signposting the claimant to expert organisations. Almost all Jobcentres have private rooms available so that individuals can discuss these sensitive issues in private.</p><p> </p><p>With the permission of the claimant, their Work Coach is able to record the information they disclose, in a free text format, through the use of pinned notes, which supports staff in identifying and managing relevant experiences and circumstances of individual claimants.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/07/2019 11:31:20 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4267 label Biography information for Sarah Champion

1127204

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	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: Domestic Abuse
	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 16 May 2019 to Question 253698 on Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse, what progress has been made on establishing the practicalities of delivering separate payments in Scotland.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
	uin	255374
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The development of a detailed policy to split payments of Universal Credit in Scotland is something for the Scottish Government to determine.</p><p> </p><p>Any policy has to be capable of implementation and as a consequence must fit with the existing architecture of the system if it is not to undermine system stability for all claimants across Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>Scottish Government final proposals have not yet been shared with the Government. We welcome the great care Scottish Government is taking with this.</p><p> </p><p>When a comprehensive set of proposals has been decided upon by the Scottish Government, we will provide advice on timing and implementation dates, with regard to the wider plan to deliver Universal Credit and the relative priorities of split payment proposals against other demands.</p><p> </p><p>Officials from both Governments continue to explore these issues together to see if a workable solution to the many issues raised can be found.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/05/2019 12:50:22 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1126011

	registered interest
	date	13/05/2019
	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: Domestic Abuse
	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 January 2019 to Question 212664 on Universal Credit: Domestic Violence, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Government on the implementation of separate universal credit payments by default; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Midlothian
	tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
	uin	253698
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>When an individual suffering from domestic abuse requests a split payment, we will make split payments available to them.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst DWP is not intending to introduce split payments by default, as a department we respond positively to requests for split payments, and can take other actions to support those experiencing abuse, such as making a managed payment of rent direct to landlords. We also ensure that claimants who disclose domestic abuse are signposted to specialist organisations for support. All work coaches undergo mandatory training regarding how to support vulnerable claimants, including recognising the signs of domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to establish the practicalities of delivering split payments in Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 16/05/2019 13:42:04 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

931338

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
	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 prevent exceptional split payments of universal credit that require the disclosure of abuse.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
	tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
	uin	157723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2018 answer text <p>We do not require formal disclosure of abuse to establish split payments for Universal Credit claimants, and we do not ask for any evidence relating to the abuse. An individual can be accompanied by a representative from a third party organisation to provide expert support when disclosing domestic abuse to a work coach.</p><p>All personal information is treated in confidence, and we do not disclose information to third parties without explicit consent. If requested, we can provide access to a private area where information can be disclosed.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 02/07/2018 11:31:44 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

927847

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether training on domestic abuse will be provided for people working on the application and administration of universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Swansea East
	tabling member printed	Carolyn Harris
	uin	155866
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/06/2018 answer text <p>In supporting victims of domestic violence, DWP offers a range of support open to survivors and those still experiencing domestic abuse.</p><p>Jobcentre 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. Specific training and guidance is provided for working with different vulnerable groups, including people who have been the victims of domestic violence.</p><p>This can include signposting claimants to national and local organisations that provide specialist support. Work coaches can also apply a domestic violence easement, switching off a claimant’s all work-related requirements for a period of time.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 29/06/2018 10:08:16 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4480 label Biography information for Carolyn Harris

445623

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2016
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
	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 11 January 2016 to Question 21059, on universal credit: domestic violence, for what reasons that information is not currently available; and whether his Department plans to collect such information in the future.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Yardley
	tabling member printed	Jess Phillips
	uin	22840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2016 answer text <p>The Department published a strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit. As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring a range of data for Universal Credit. It is for this reason that the information requested is not currently available.</p><p>During 2016 we will be increasing the range of statistics on Universal Credit, which will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.</p><br /> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 26/01/2016 17:29:48 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
	tabling member	4370 label Biography information for Jess Phillips

442764

	registered interest
	date	05/01/2016
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applicants for Universal Credit have requested split payments on the grounds of domestic abuse since the launch of universal credit in the pilot areas; and what proportion of the total number of applicants have so claimed.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Yardley
	tabling member printed	Jess Phillips
	uin	21059
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2016 answer text <p>The information requested is not currently available.</p> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 11/01/2016 16:39:37 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
	tabling member	4370 label Biography information for Jess Phillips

931340

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
	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 suitability of the universal credit single payment in cases of financial abuse towards one person in a couple.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
	tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
	uin	157725
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2018 answer text <p>We have made an assessment about the suitability of Universal Credit single payments in cases of financial abuse towards one person in a couple. This was outlined in the attached letter, dated 15 May 2018, to the Work and Pensions Select Committee.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 02/07/2018 16:49:38 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse attachment 1 file name 157725 Letter to the Work and Pensions Select Committee.pdf title Letter to the Work and Pensions Select Committee
	tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

834062

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provisions the Government has in place to ensure the timeous processing and payment of advance payments under universal credit to claimants leaving a household due to domestic abuse; and what processes the Government has in place to identify such claimants and ensure that they are made aware of advance payments in such circumstances.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
	tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
	uin	125819
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2018 answer text <p>There is support in Universal Credit to help those in domestic abuse situations. For example the payment can be divided between two members of the household. This is known as a Split Payment and it is designed to prevent hardship to the claimant and their family. It can be considered in certain specific situations such as domestic violence or where financial abuse occurs or one partner mismanages the UC payment, but will not always be appropriate. In cases where the UC payment includes housing costs, a split payment would be accompanied by a Managed Payment to the landlord to safeguard the home and provide greater assistance for the claimant’s household.</p><p>All Department for Work and Pensions staff working with customers complete training that prepares them for their role. This includes developing the skills they need to support and communicate with a diverse range of customers. Specific training is provided for working with different vulnerable groups, with guidance to signpost customers to relevant support, including people who have been the victims of domestic violence. And these circumstances will be recorded on a claimant’s online account so DWP staff are aware. Staff are expected to identify and support vulnerable claimants, recognise and consider the impact of complex circumstances and adjust the requirements expected from claimants.</p><p>Furthermore, awareness training on the identification of claimants with complex needs is ongoing. A ‘hub’ of information which focuses on claimants with complex needs including victims of domestic violence is available to all staff, with a named single point of contact at each site.</p><p>Claimants including those fleeing domestic violence can make a Universal Credit claim without a bank account, instructions are provided when they get to the bank account page of their online claim. Relatives or appointee’s bank accounts could also be used in the short term, however we would always prefer the claimant to have and use their own bank account which we can support them in obtaining. Claimants have access to post office accounts or simple payments if they do not have a bank account.</p><p>Claimants fleeing domestic violence have always been exempt from waiting days and 100% advances are available to provide support in the first assessment period.</p><p>Furthermore, the Department has taken steps to ensure that all Universal Credit claimants are aware of the availability of advances, including victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable groups. Work Coaches identify and support vulnerable claimants, recognising and considering the impact of complex circumstances.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse grouped question UIN 125815 125816 125818 question first answered 02/02/2018 12:43:03 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens