Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1144701

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2019
	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	Asbestos: Diseases
	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 report, Estimates of the impact of extending the scope of the payment scheme in the Mesothelioma Bill to include other asbestos related diseases and other non-asbestos work related diseases, published in June 2013, if she will review and update that report.
	tabling member constituency	West Dunbartonshire
	tabling member printed	Martin Docherty-Hughes
	uin	286779
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>The Mesothelioma Act 2014 established the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS). The DMPS makes lump sum payments to people who contract diffuse mesothelioma from negligent exposure to asbestos in the workplace, but are unable to pursue a civil claim because their former employer no longer exists and their former employer’s insurer cannot be traced. The DMPS is funded by a levy paid by insurers who are active in the Employer’s Liability insurance market.</p><p><br>This Scheme makes payments to eligible sufferers of diffuse mesothelioma only. Since this disease is always fatal and always caused by asbestos, it has been possible to implement DMPS as a simple payment scheme. Other asbestos-related diseases and other non-asbestos work related diseases have more uncertainties regarding cause, severity and aggravation by other factors and this complexity is not compatible with a straightforward tariff-based scheme such as the DMPS. The report published on 6 December 2013 highlighted the adverse impact on the amount of the levy should the scope of the Scheme be widened, which would also require a re-designing of the scheme, the legislation, and the commercial requirements.</p><p>There are no plans to update the 2013 report or extend eligibility to the DMPS.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 09/09/2019 11:58:03 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4374 label Biography information for Martin Docherty-Hughes

1141998

	registered interest
	date	25/07/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits: Cancer
	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 recent report by Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer - A costly diagnosis? Stories of the financial impact of cancer, if she will take steps to help mitigate the financial effect of a cancer diagnosis on patients and their families.
	tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
	tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
	uin	282407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <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 utmost sensitivity and care when making a claim to Universal Credit. Overall we are spending £55 billion a year on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions. That’s a record high and up £10 billion in real terms since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>For instance, in terms of the support we provide, the UC50 questionnaire 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, therefore making the claim and assessment process simpler for people with cancer. This ensures the Department can make accurate and timely payments of Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>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>It is important to ensure those affected by cancer receive the most appropriate support and we have worked closely with many representative organisations to improve the WCA process for those affected. From January 2013, the categories of cancer treatments under which a claimant can be treated as having limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) have been expanded to include individuals who are awaiting, receiving, or recovering from treatment by way of chemotherapy irrespective of route, and radiotherapy. Although there is no automatic award, in these cases, there is a presumption that the claimant has LCWRA, subject to suitable evidence being provided by a professional such as a GP, oncologist or clinical nurse specialist.</p><p> </p><p>Work coaches personalise the support they provide for each claimant based on individual need and circumstance, including the offer of home visits or postal signing where appropriate. Local jobcentres have the flexibility to work alongside organisations to help meet the needs of their communities, helping our most vulnerable, at risk, claimants to access the support they need. We also work with organisations to produce guides on specific vulnerabilities.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 03/09/2019 15:35:21 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1140556

	registered interest
	date	19/07/2019
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	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 Supreme Court ruling of July 2019, if her Department will review the assessment criteria for personal independence payments for claimants with mental health illnesses that requires assessors to make a distinction between whether a claimant needs prompting to engage with other people or social support.
	tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
	tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
	uin	279441
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2019 answer text <p>The Supreme Court handed down its decision on the case known as MM (SSWP v MM) on 18 July 2019. The case concerns the definition of ‘social support’ when engaging with other people face to face under activity 9 of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Regulations, and how far in advance that support can be provided.</p><p> </p><p>The Department will carefully consider the judgment and work with stakeholders to implement it fully so that claimants get the PIP support they are entitled to. This will include reviewing and updating where needed the guidance used for PIP assessments.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 26/07/2019 10:23:16 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1140204

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	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
	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 May 2019 High Court judgment, when she plans to deliver transitional and ongoing payments for people who have lost the Severe Disability Premium since moving onto universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Newport East
	tabling member printed	Jessica Morden
	uin	278934
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The transitional payments provisions for claimants previously entitled to the severe disability premium contained in the Universal Credit (Managed Migration and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 will come into force 24<sup>th</sup> July 2019. That means that we will be able to provide immediate support for these claimants who were entitled to the Severe Disability Premium on legacy benefits and who have already moved onto Universal Credit. These claimants will also be considered for backdated payments covering the time since they moved onto Universal Credit, as well as ongoing monthly payments that reflect any lost Severe Disability Premium. We will make these payments as quickly as possible.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 23/07/2019 16:58:45 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1548 label Biography information for Jessica Morden

1139452

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	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	Low Incomes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans for a hardship fund to help people on the lowest incomes in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
	tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
	uin	277684
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/08/2019 answer text <p>The Government has been clear that leaving the EU with a deal is its preferred option. However, as a responsible government we continue to plan for a range of exit scenarios, including a no-deal. The welfare system provides a strong safety net. A system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans will be available for those who need them.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 22/08/2019 12:32:12 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1141823

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the appropriateness of requiring claimants with mental health conditions to attend face-to-face interviews as part of the social security benefits assessment process.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	281655
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>We recognise that attending a face-to-face assessment can be a stressful experience for some people, including for people who have a mental health condition. That is why we do not require people to attend face-to-face consultations where there is enough existing evidence to determine benefit entitlement.</p><p>Furthermore, where a face-to-face consultation is required, we encourage claimants to bring another person with them where they would find this helpful, for example, reassure them or to help them during the consultation. The person chosen is at the discretion of the claimant and might be, but is not limited to, a parent, family member, friend, carer, or advocate.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 05/09/2019 15:24:08 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

1143537

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	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: Post-polio Syndrome
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether personal independence payment assessors receive training on the symptoms of post-polio syndrome so that they are able to identify the complex symptoms experienced by claimants with that syndrome.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	285189
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>The Personal Independence Payment assessment is not a medical assessment and there is no requirement for the Health Professional to diagnose a condition and recommend treatment options. Health Professionals are trained to be experts in disability analysis and to assess how a disability or syndrome affects the functional capability of each individual claimant. Whilst there is no specific training relating to post-polio syndrome, all Health Professionals have access to a range of resources, including relevant training on specific impairments, including those that are mental, intellectual and cognitive, as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with conditions that they may not be familiar with.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 284945 question first answered 06/09/2019 11:05:40 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1143538

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	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: Post-polio Syndrome
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether personal independence payment assessments are adjusted to take account of the symptoms experienced by claimants diagnosed with post-polio syndrome.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	284945
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2019 answer text <p>The Personal Independence Payment assessment is not a medical assessment and there is no requirement for the Health Professional to diagnose a condition and recommend treatment options. Health Professionals are trained to be experts in disability analysis and to assess how a disability or syndrome affects the functional capability of each individual claimant. Whilst there is no specific training relating to post-polio syndrome, all Health Professionals have access to a range of resources, including relevant training on specific impairments, including those that are mental, intellectual and cognitive, as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with conditions that they may not be familiar with.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 285189 question first answered 06/09/2019 11:05:40 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1139366

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	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	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to work with medical practitioners to improve the quality of medical evidence for benefits claimants.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	277678
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>In response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report on Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance assessments, published on 14 February 2018, the Department is currently working with the Assessment Providers and external stakeholders, such as NHS England, to improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge and understanding of medical evidence requirements for DWP benefits purposes.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 23/07/2019 09:36:10 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1143122

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	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: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether employees of the Health Assessment Advisory Service receive a monetary bonus for each claimant they find fit for work.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hodge Hill
	tabling member printed	Liam Byrne
	uin	284538
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>Assessment Providers do not decide the outcome of a claim to benefit. They provide a report to the department’s decision makers who then determine entitlement to benefit. Employees of the Health Assessment Advisory Service do not have incentives or targets linked to the outcome of benefit entitlement decisions.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 05/09/2019 09:48:46 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1171 label Biography information for Liam Byrne