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42897

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 3 March (WA 278), what evidence they have that Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans were "poorly targeted and failed to help those most in need".
	tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
	uin	HL5962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The coalition Government outlined the evidence in <em>Local support to replace Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for living expenses in England, Government response to the call for evidence June 2011.</em> A copy was placed in the House library and it can be found online at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-support-to-replace-community-care-grants-and-crisis-loans-for-living-expenses-call-for-evidence" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-support-to-replace-community-care-grants-and-crisis-loans-for-living-expenses-call-for-evidence</a> </p><p> </p><p>Nottinghamshire County Council have consulted on their plans to wind down their dedicated scheme and provide support by other means. Information on other authorities will be provided by the review my Department will shortly be carrying out about the way local authorities have used the funding provided following the abolition of the discretionary Social Fund. We are making arrangements with local authorities regarding this. A copy of the findings will be placed in the House Library.</p><p> </p><p>There has never been a commitment to provide specific funding beyond 2014/15. On the basis of experience on the ground since support was localised, central government believes that it makes most sense for councils to choose how much funding to allocate to these services in their areas in future - according to local priorities and needs - and how to provide such support.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL5963 HL5964 question first answered 19/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

42898

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston on 3 March (WA 278), which authorities have decided to "wind-down their local Discretionary Social Fund replacement schemes following underspends this year".
	tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
	uin	HL5963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The coalition Government outlined the evidence in <em>Local support to replace Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for living expenses in England, Government response to the call for evidence June 2011.</em> A copy was placed in the House library and it can be found online at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-support-to-replace-community-care-grants-and-crisis-loans-for-living-expenses-call-for-evidence" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-support-to-replace-community-care-grants-and-crisis-loans-for-living-expenses-call-for-evidence</a> </p><p> </p><p>Nottinghamshire County Council have consulted on their plans to wind down their dedicated scheme and provide support by other means. Information on other authorities will be provided by the review my Department will shortly be carrying out about the way local authorities have used the funding provided following the abolition of the discretionary Social Fund. We are making arrangements with local authorities regarding this. A copy of the findings will be placed in the House Library.</p><p> </p><p>There has never been a commitment to provide specific funding beyond 2014/15. On the basis of experience on the ground since support was localised, central government believes that it makes most sense for councils to choose how much funding to allocate to these services in their areas in future - according to local priorities and needs - and how to provide such support.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL5962 HL5964 question first answered 19/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

43300

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what investigations they are undertaking into the nutrition and health of children and vulnerable adults when sanctions are imposed on individuals who lose their benefits.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6053
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Department does not monitor nutrition.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 24/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

43310

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons received housing benefit in each of the last 10 years, broken down into those who were (1) pensioners, (2) of working age but not in employment, and (3) in work.
	tabling member printed	Lord Whitty
	uin	HL6063
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Detailed statistics on Housing Benefit since 2008 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>This includes the number of Housing Benefit (HB) recipients who a) are living in social or private rented accommodation b) those who are in employment and not on a passported benefit and c) those in receipt of HB by age. </p><p> </p><p>Please note: the economic status of all HB recipients is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The information is only available for HB recipients whose claim is not passported: that is for those who do not receive Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Based), or Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit).</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm</a></p><p> </p><p>Housing Benefit caseload by working age / pension age split prior to 2008 can be found in table 2c of the publication, Outturn and forecast: Autumn Statement 2013 available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL6066 HL6067 question first answered 24/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2444 label Biography information for Lord Whitty

43313

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of housing benefit claimants are in work; and what was the equivalent figure in 2000.
	tabling member printed	Lord Whitty
	uin	HL6066
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Detailed statistics on Housing Benefit since 2008 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>This includes the number of Housing Benefit (HB) recipients who a) are living in social or private rented accommodation b) those who are in employment and not on a passported benefit and c) those in receipt of HB by age. </p><p> </p><p>Please note: the economic status of all HB recipients is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The information is only available for HB recipients whose claim is not passported: that is for those who do not receive Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Based), or Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit).</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm</a></p><p> </p><p>Housing Benefit caseload by working age / pension age split prior to 2008 can be found in table 2c of the publication, Outturn and forecast: Autumn Statement 2013 available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL6063 HL6067 question first answered 24/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2444 label Biography information for Lord Whitty

43314

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of housing benefit claimants live in (1) social housing, and (2) private sector housing.
	tabling member printed	Lord Whitty
	uin	HL6067
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Detailed statistics on Housing Benefit since 2008 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>This includes the number of Housing Benefit (HB) recipients who a) are living in social or private rented accommodation b) those who are in employment and not on a passported benefit and c) those in receipt of HB by age. </p><p> </p><p>Please note: the economic status of all HB recipients is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The information is only available for HB recipients whose claim is not passported: that is for those who do not receive Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income-Based), or Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit).</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm</a></p><p> </p><p>Housing Benefit caseload by working age / pension age split prior to 2008 can be found in table 2c of the publication, Outturn and forecast: Autumn Statement 2013 available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2013</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL6063 HL6066 question first answered 24/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2444 label Biography information for Lord Whitty

44160

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the advertising on the Universal Jobmatch website of writer vacancies by the student essay writing service All Answers Limited complies with the website's terms and conditions for employers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Clement-Jones
	uin	HL6116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>No. As part of the current review of the Universal Jobmatch Terms and Conditions this company's account has been suspended and associated vacancies have been removed. </p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 25/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3396 label Biography information for Lord Clement-Jones

44195

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is being done to help young adults who are unemployed, working part-time or are in jobs for which they are overqualified to use the skills that they possess.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL6151
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The youth claimant count has fallen for 21 consecutive months and youth unemployment has fallen for the past six months.</p><p> </p><p>For people who are unemployed, our work experience programmes have proved to be effective at helping young people into work. Over 145,000 have started a work experience placement and over 46,000 have started a sector based work academy that provides work experience and pre-employment training. Surveys show that over 40 percent of young people have reported having had a job since going into a work experience placement or on a sector-based work academy.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Our new Help to Work Scheme will offer further tailored in-depth support for the very long term unemployed, and in-work claimants will receive support to progress within the workplace. Universal Credit will provide support for working-age people who are in or out of work.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

44214

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the expenditure of the Department for Work and Pensions, in reserved areas, per capita in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland, in each of the last five years.
	tabling member printed	Lord Selkirk of Douglas
	uin	HL6163
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Expenditure of the Department for Work and Pensions, in reserved areas, per capita in England, Scotland and Wales can be found in the table below.</p><p> </p><p>Expenditure for Northern Ireland has not been included as DWP does not administer benefits for Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Expenditure per capita</p></td><td><p>2008/09</p></td><td><p>2009/10</p></td><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>2012/13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>2,141</p></td><td><p>2,338</p></td><td><p>2,401</p></td><td><p>2,481</p></td><td><p>2,584</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>2,342</p></td><td><p>2,515</p></td><td><p>2,572</p></td><td><p>2,639</p></td><td><p>2,743</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>2,489</p></td><td><p>2,692</p></td><td><p>2,755</p></td><td><p>2,840</p></td><td><p>2,946</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Sources: DWP accounting data, HMT Country and Regional Analysis tables, and ONS population estimates</p><p> </p><p>The sources for this data can be found on the following web sites.</p><p> </p><p>Benefit expenditure is from Regional Tables produced by DWP</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266830/expenditure_by_region_201213.xls" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266830/expenditure_by_region_201213.xls</a></p><p> </p><p>The benefit expenditure on individuals living overseas, or with address not recorded on statistical data sources, has not been included in the table above.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Administrative expenditure is from Country and Regional Analysis Tables produced by HMT</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261663/CRA_2013_Combined_Database_for_Publication.xlsx" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261663/CRA_2013_Combined_Database_for_Publication.xlsx</a></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Population Estimates have been produced by Office for National Statistics</p><p> </p><p>England</p><p><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/england-population-estimates-1971-2012.xls" target="_blank">http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/england-population-estimates-1971-2012.xls</a></p><p> </p><p>Scotland</p><p><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/scotland-population-estimates-1872-2012.xls" target="_blank">http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/scotland-population-estimates-1872-2012.xls</a></p><p> </p><p>Wales</p><p><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/wales-population-estimates-1971-2012.xls" target="_blank">http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/business-transparency/freedom-of-information/what-can-i-request/published-ad-hoc-data/pop/march-2014/wales-population-estimates-1971-2012.xls</a></p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	802 label Biography information for Lord Selkirk of Douglas

44561

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what customer, user and satisfaction surveys were conducted in the last 12 months in the Department for Work and Pensions and the agencies that report to it; which of them have been reported to the management board in the last 12 months; and which were commissioned by the management board.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL6218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Department for Work and Pensions conducts an annual Claimant Service and Experience Survey which measures customer satisfaction. The survey includes customers of Jobcentre Plus and the former agency Pensions, Disability and Carers Service. Fieldwork for the 2013 survey was completed in September. The survey is approved by the Operations Executive Team and key findings have been reported to them.</p><p> </p><p>The Child Maintenance Group conducts customer satisfaction surveys to cover all its statutory schemes. Quarterly surveys are run for the 1993/2003 and 2012 schemes and a monthly survey for the Options Gateway to tell how customers think suppliers are delivering service. All of these surveys are commissioned and reviewed for internal use by the CMG Executive Team.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 31/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

44598

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the recovery of benefits through the Mesothelioma Support Scheme will yield; and what assurances they can give that some of this money will be spent on research for a cure for mesothelioma.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6255
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p>Benefit and lump sum payments that were made in respect of mesothelioma will be recovered from the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) payment in the same way as they would be recovered from other compensation payments. The latest Impact Assessment for the DMPS dated 10 March 2014 estimates that the recovery of benefits in the first 10 years of the Scheme, to 31 March 2024, will be £72m.</p><p> </p><p>The issue of research is not directly a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions; however we have worked closely with the Department of Health to make progress in this area. This work has included setting up a partnership to identify mesothelioma research priorities which will lead to the National Institute for Health Research turning priorities into fundable research questions and to encourage applications from the research community. In addition the National Cancer Research Institute has a workshop planned on 02 May 2014 to discuss and develop new proposals for mesothelioma studies. The Government has established robust systems to ensure that funding is provided to the highest quality research bids. The work that the Department of Health is taking forward will support researchers in producing these bids and ensure that funding is allocated in a way that best supports sufferers of this terrible condition.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

44613

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to ensure that information on the engagement activities of pension funds and other institutional investors with investee companies is made fully accessible.
	tabling member printed	Lord Harrison
	uin	HL6270
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>The Government supports the principles set out in the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) UK Stewardship Code including schemes becoming active stewards of their investments and reporting on that stewardship. The Code sets out a number of areas of good practice to which the FRC believes institutional investors should aspire, and operates on a 'comply or explain' basis. It includes guidance for pension schemes and other asset owners on steps they can take to protect and enhance the value that accrues to the ultimate beneficiary. The FCA requires UK authorised asset managers to report on whether or not they apply the Code.</p><p> </p><p>The UK stewardship code is voluntary, however we would encourage workplace pensions schemes to comply with the principles set out in the code. In addition we are developing governance standards of workplace defined contribution schemes, and have asked the Law Commission to investigate how fiduciary duties currently apply in the investment chain. The Pensions Regulator's defined contribution Code of Practice also sets out the legal requirements and standards they expect trustees of defined contribution schemes to attain. This includes a section on investment which also references the FRC Stewardship code. These initiatives are part of our on-going work to ensure schemes are governed and administered to deliver in members' interests.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL6271 HL6272 question first answered 31/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2488 label Biography information for Lord Harrison

44614

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for large occupational defined contribution pension schemes to be active owners or stewards of their assets, in line with the definition of stewardship as outlined in the Financial Reporting Council's Stewardship Code.
	tabling member printed	Lord Harrison
	uin	HL6271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>The Government supports the principles set out in the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) UK Stewardship Code including schemes becoming active stewards of their investments and reporting on that stewardship. The Code sets out a number of areas of good practice to which the FRC believes institutional investors should aspire, and operates on a 'comply or explain' basis. It includes guidance for pension schemes and other asset owners on steps they can take to protect and enhance the value that accrues to the ultimate beneficiary. The FCA requires UK authorised asset managers to report on whether or not they apply the Code.</p><p> </p><p>The UK stewardship code is voluntary, however we would encourage workplace pensions schemes to comply with the principles set out in the code. In addition we are developing governance standards of workplace defined contribution schemes, and have asked the Law Commission to investigate how fiduciary duties currently apply in the investment chain. The Pensions Regulator's defined contribution Code of Practice also sets out the legal requirements and standards they expect trustees of defined contribution schemes to attain. This includes a section on investment which also references the FRC Stewardship code. These initiatives are part of our on-going work to ensure schemes are governed and administered to deliver in members' interests.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL6270 HL6272 question first answered 31/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2488 label Biography information for Lord Harrison

44615

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for large occupational defined benefit pension schemes to be active owners or stewards of their assets, in line with the definition of stewardship as highlighted in the Financial Reporting Council's Stewardship Code.
	tabling member printed	Lord Harrison
	uin	HL6272
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>The Government supports the principles set out in the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) UK Stewardship Code including schemes becoming active stewards of their investments and reporting on that stewardship. The Code sets out a number of areas of good practice to which the FRC believes institutional investors should aspire, and operates on a 'comply or explain' basis. It includes guidance for pension schemes and other asset owners on steps they can take to protect and enhance the value that accrues to the ultimate beneficiary. The FCA requires UK authorised asset managers to report on whether or not they apply the Code.</p><p> </p><p>The UK stewardship code is voluntary, however we would encourage workplace pensions schemes to comply with the principles set out in the code. In addition we are developing governance standards of workplace defined contribution schemes, and have asked the Law Commission to investigate how fiduciary duties currently apply in the investment chain. The Pensions Regulator's defined contribution Code of Practice also sets out the legal requirements and standards they expect trustees of defined contribution schemes to attain. This includes a section on investment which also references the FRC Stewardship code. These initiatives are part of our on-going work to ensure schemes are governed and administered to deliver in members' interests.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL6270 HL6271 question first answered 31/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2488 label Biography information for Lord Harrison

44906

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration has been given to local authorities and their partners having more responsibilities and commensurate finance to work with local employers to tackle unemployment and underemployment of young people.
	tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
	uin	HL6309
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Through the City Deals, the Government has invited Local Authorities to develop proposals to tackle unemployment and worklessness in their areas. Several of these proposals have entailed working closely with local employers to enhance employment opportunities for young people, for example, Greater Manchester have developed a local employer-led jobs campaign to co-ordinate and simplify local and national employment schemes so that business can access young talent easily.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

44921

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 24 March (WA 74), whether they will consider monitoring the nutrition and health of children in families when benefit sanctions are imposed on a primary care-giver; and if not, why not.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL6324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Government does not collect nutrition and health data in the way described and has no plans to do so.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants are expected to take reasonable steps to prepare for or find work. Safeguards are in place to ensure claimants are capable of achieving these steps, that they are appropriate to helping them towards or into work. These safeguards include claimants and their advisers agreeing what the actions will be, claimants being asked to give their reason for complying with the agreed actions before a sanction is imposed, the right to request a reconsideration of a decision and to lodge an appeal with Her Majesty's Court &amp; Tribunal Service.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants whose benefit is sanctioned can apply for hardship payments</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

44929

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 24 March (WA 74), which, if any, department investigates the issues about nutrition asked about in the original question; and whether that department will answer the original question.
	tabling member printed	Lord Jopling
	uin	HL6332
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Government does not collect nutrition and health data in the way described.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	883 label Biography information for Lord Jopling

45726

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pensioners received winter fuel payments in each of the parliamentary constituencies in the city of Manchester in (1) 2010–11, (2) 2011–12, and (3) 2012–13.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradley
	uin	HL6375
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The information is available: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/winter-fuel-payments-caseload-and-household-figures" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/winter-fuel-payments-caseload-and-household-figures</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 31/03/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	452 label Biography information for Lord Bradley

45729

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the value of the financial settlement paid to the Department for Work and Pensions by Atos upon their withdrawal from the Work Capability Assessment Scheme.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL6378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2014 answer text <p>Information regarding the financial settlement between the Department and Atos Healthcare for early exit from the contract to deliver Work Capability Assessments is commercial in confidence.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 04/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

45739

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many complaints about Atos Healthcare have been submitted or received through the Department for Work and Pensions, per year, since the commencement of the service provision contract.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morrow
	uin	HL6388
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The Department does not hold central records on the number of complaints received in regards to Atos Healthcare, this information could only be collated at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 01/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3795 label Biography information for Lord Morrow

45740

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of Atos Healthcare's complaints policy and procedure, as held by the Department for Work and Pensions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morrow
	uin	HL6389
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>I will place a copy of Atos Healthcare's complaints policy and procedure in the House library.</p><p> </p><p>Atos Healthcare provides leaflets which are available in all their assessment centres for information on their complaints procedure and policy.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud attachment 1 file name eDeposits Coversheet for HL6389 & H6390.doc title eDeposits Coversheet for HL6389 & H6390 2 file name Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedures Guide.pdf title Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedure 3 file name 22-13 Update to Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedures Guide.pdf title Update to Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedure grouped question UIN HL6390 question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3795 label Biography information for Lord Morrow

45741

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all persons undergoing medical examinations by Atos Healthcare in respect of benefit applications are advised of the complaints procedure and policy, as held by the Department for Work and Pensions; if so, whether this has been routine practice since Atos Healthcare commenced service provision; and how persons are made aware of the complaints policy and procedure.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morrow
	uin	HL6390
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>I will place a copy of Atos Healthcare's complaints policy and procedure in the House library.</p><p> </p><p>Atos Healthcare provides leaflets which are available in all their assessment centres for information on their complaints procedure and policy.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud attachment 1 file name eDeposits Coversheet for HL6389 & H6390.doc title eDeposits Coversheet for HL6389 & H6390 2 file name Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedures Guide.pdf title Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedure 3 file name 22-13 Update to Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedures Guide.pdf title Update to Atos Healthcare Complaints Procedure grouped question UIN HL6389 question first answered 02/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3795 label Biography information for Lord Morrow

45989

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in light of the announcement that Atos Healthcare is exiting its contract in respect of fit-for-work tests, whether they plan to initiate an investigation with published terms of reference into that company's performance, including complaints made directly to Atos Healthcare and through any other agency including the Department for Work and Pensions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morrow
	uin	HL6467
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department has closely monitored the performance of Atos Healthcare and will continue to do so until Atos exits the contract as described in the Written Ministerial Statement of 27 March 2014. There are no plans to carry out any investigations into performance.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 04/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3795 label Biography information for Lord Morrow

45990

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 24 March (WA 63), and in the light of recent developments, what were the circumstances leading to the withdrawal of Atos Healthcare from its contract, including all relevant dates of notifications.
	tabling member printed	Lord Morrow
	uin	HL6468
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Following detailed negotiations with Atos Healthcare, the Government has reached a settlement for Atos to exit the contract to deliver Work Capability Assessments before it is due to end in August 2015. Atos did not receive any compensation from the taxpayer for this early termination but made a substantial financial settlement to the Department for Work and Pensions.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 09/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	3795 label Biography information for Lord Morrow

46003

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stowell of Beeston 21 October 2013 (WA 120–1), what estimate they have made of (1) fraud, (2) claimant error, and (3) departmental error, in the payment of Council Tax Benefit in 2012–13.
	tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
	uin	HL6481
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> The information requested can be found in the latest national statistics on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/271654/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-2012-13_estimates-160114.pdf" target="_blank">Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: 2012 to 2013 Estimates</a>. This report was published on 16 January 2014. The link to the report can be found here: <p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/271654/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-2012-13_estimates-160114.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/271654/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-2012-13_estimates-160114.pdf</a></p> answering member printed Lord Freud question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
	tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow