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748862

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2017
	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	Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to support boxers and footballers with dementia pugilistica who currently rely on financial assistance from various charities.
	tabling member printed	Lord Pendry
	uin	HL525
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council’s (IIAC) 2005 review of Dementia in boxers and footballers concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend an addition to the list of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (available to employed earners) prescribed diseases. In 2014 IIAC sought high quality research evidence about the risks of neurodegenerative diseases in professional sportspersons. The IIAC response in May 2016 concluded that despite the passage of time, epidemiological evidence on risk of dementia pugilistica in boxers relative to other workers remains elusive, and that there was no new important evidence to change the previous appraisal of prescription in respect of soccer players. As in 2005, there remains insufficient evidence to indicate a more than doubled risk of a dementia in boxers.</p><p> </p><p>IIAC has no plans at present to revisit this, but would likely reconsider should new evidence emerge. However the department provides a range of benefits to support with extra costs of disability, which individuals may be entitled to depending on their circumstances.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 18/07/2017 11:13:51 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	457 label Biography information for Lord Pendry

747992

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2017
	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	Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the benefits and costs to the UK of membership of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
	tabling member printed	Lord Lester of Herne Hill
	uin	HL446
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>The Agency collects and shares good practice information on national and European Union priorities for safety and health at work, working with national contact points in all Member States. Its activities are particularly valuable to recent and proposed EU entrants and those with less well developed health and safety systems.</p><p> </p><p>The European Court of Auditors publishes annual reports on the accounts of the Agency that are automatically deposited with Parliament for scrutiny purposes. For the latest report (financial position as of 31 December 2015), the budget was €16.9 million and the auditors stated that the Agency’s accounts were reliable and transactions were legal and regular.</p><p> </p><p>Our relationship with the European Union's decentralised bodies upon exit, including the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, will be evaluated in light of delivering the twelve objectives outlined by the Prime Minister to achieve a deep and special positive and constructive partnership between the UK and the European Union.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 18/07/2017 14:24:18 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	2037 label Biography information for Lord Lester of Herne Hill

749951

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	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	NHS: Listed Buildings
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government whether the Health and Safety Executive will send a representative to the International Aircraft Cabin Air Conference at Imperial College, London in September; and if not, why not.
	tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
	uin	HL636
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will not be attending the International Aircraft Cabin Air Conference at Imperial College, London in September 2017. HSE works with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to regulate health and safety at work in the aviation industry. This operates through a memorandum of understanding and associated guidance document CAP 1484 (see documents attached).</p><p>CAP 1484 states that by agreement CAA regulates health and safety on board aircraft and advises on the health implications of exposure to hazardous substances on crew and passengers. CAA is the most appropriate regulatory attendee and HSE will seek information and updates on such issues through its regular contacts with CAA.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe attachment 1 file name HL636 - Associated Guidance Document CAP 1484 (March 2017).pdf title Associated Guidance Document CAP 1484 2 file name HL636 - HSE CAA Memorandum of Understanding.pdf title HSE CAA Memorandum of Understanding question first answered 18/07/2017 13:18:23 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

751843

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2017
	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	Jobcentres: Closures
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the effect of jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus closures on levels of employment.
	tabling member constituency	Central Ayrshire
	tabling member printed	Dr Philippa Whitford
	uin	4821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>As a large employer we understand the potential impact that any closure or relocation of an office may have. This is why we carefully considered the wider impacts on local communities in reviewing our estate. The sites we intend to keep were identified as part of our longer-term strategy.</p><p>The increased use of digital services means that many offices are underutilised; meaning that we are spending money on rent for space that is unused rather than on services and support. Our plans seek to redress that. The department is committed to retaining an accessible jobcentre network and continuing to serve customers in all areas. We are recruiting and expect to have more work coaches in March 2018 compared to today.</p><p>We will work to minimise the need for redundancy wherever we can, and seek to redeploy colleagues into new roles, but before any final decisions about redundancies are made, there will be full consultation with affected colleagues and trade unions.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:19:23 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4385 label Biography information for Dr Philippa Whitford

751844

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2017
	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, whether his Department has commissioned research into the effect of the roll-out of universal credit on levels of household debt.
	tabling member constituency	Central Ayrshire
	tabling member printed	Dr Philippa Whitford
	uin	4820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>DWP are currently undertaking work, in conjunction with a housing association, to investigate the reality of rent arrears in Universal Credit. It aims to understand the true level of rent arrears for their tenants, what is causing them and any impacts Universal Credit may be having.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:17:07 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4385 label Biography information for Dr Philippa Whitford

750331

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	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	Employment and Support Allowance
	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 (a) the cost-effectiveness and (b) resource efficiency of employment and support allowance claimants who have been found fit to work claiming jobseeker's allowance while waiting for the result of a mandatory reconsideration.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
	uin	3774
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) can be claimed when Employment and Support Allowance has stopped, while waiting for a decision on a MR or appeal, subject to JSA normal conditions of entitlement. No separate assessment has been made of the cost effectiveness of JSA for this group.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 18/07/2017 11:22:38 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

750332

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2017
	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	Employment and Support Allowance: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to (a) ensure that the outcome of assessments conducted by his Department on people seeking to claim employment and support allowance are correct and (b) reduce the number of decisions based on such assessments which are overturned on appeal.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
	uin	3772
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>a) To ensure that the outcome of assessments conducted by his Department on people seeking to claim employment and support allowance are correct</p><p> </p><p>With regard to the actual Work Capability Assessment (WCA), the Department robustly monitors the performance of the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA). They are independently audited to ensure that the advice provided to the Department’s decision makers is of suitable quality, fully explained, and justified. Assessment reports deemed unacceptable are returned to CHDA for reworking. The Department continues to work extensively with the assessment provider to make improvements to guidance, training and audit procedures in order to ensure that a quality service is maintained. All healthcare professionals delivering assessments for CHDA complete rigorous training before they are allowed to undertake WCAs. The healthcare professionals employed by CHDA are required to complete the agreed elements of Continuing Medical Education, as set out in the contract each year. CHDA undertake continuous review and audit of all healthcare professionals, with clinical mentoring available as required.</p><p> </p><p>b) To reduce the number of decisions based on such assessments which are overturned on appeal.</p><p> </p><p>Any claimant wishing to dispute a decision made based on their assessment is entitled to do so.</p><p> </p><p>The first stage of which is for the Department to conduct a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) whereby a different decision maker undertakes a full review of the case and considers any additional evidence provided. The Department undertakes this review in an attempt to ensure before appeal that our decision is as robust and accurate as possible.</p><p> </p><p>However, should the decision remain the same and the claimant still disagree, they can submit an appeal directly with Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS).</p><p> </p><p>The Department now has Presenting Officers attending 50% of all ESA Appeals at HMCTS ensuring that where the Department believes the decision to be robust and accurate, we are adequately represented. This also enables us to gather significant feedback that will inform the quality of our decision making going forward.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 18/07/2017 14:18:19 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

751853

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2017
	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, if he will make it his policy to ensure that everyone making a claim for universal credit is told that they can apply for an advance payment.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	4899
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>Universal Credit provides a conversation with all claimants at their initial work search interview to gauge their potential support needs – this could include money advice with a mix of online, telephone and face to face support. If eligible claimants say they are in financial need, an Advance will be made available.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to raise awareness of Advances in different ways, for example, by providing options on the UC Helpline, and signposting this vital support through the new “Universal Credit &amp; You” guide for claimants and the new online Money Manager tool offered by the Money Advice Service.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:17:35 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

751852

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2017
	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, if he will make the universal credit helpline available free of charge, at least until roll-out is complete.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	4900
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>DWP have no plans to introduce a 0800 number for the Universal Credit helpline. If a Universal Credit claimant needs to contact us by telephone, they can call the Universal Credit helpline on a 0345 number. Charges for these calls depend on the service provider, but cost no more than a standard geographic call, and count towards any free or inclusive minutes in a caller’s landline or mobile telephone contract. The Department’s guidance directs staff dealing with Universal Credit claims to call customers back either if they request it or if they express any concern about the cost of calling.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:16:00 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

751854

	registered interest
	date	13/07/2017
	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, what recent discussions he has had with Citizens Advice about universal credit claimants who (a) face excessive delays in their first payment and periods without any income, (b) find it complex to make and maintain a claim and (c) cannot obtain help when they run into problems; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	4901
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>Universal Credit have always had a strong working relationship with Citizens Advice colleagues nationally, with particular focus on the exchange of information and emerging issues. The Secretary of State, Universal Credit Director General and I most recently met with the Citizens Advice Chief Executive on 17 July.</p><p> </p><p>At a working level Ministers and UC officials meet regularly with Citizens Advice to share insight. This includes developing a data dashboard to share Citizens Advice Universal Credit claimant contact data with DWP officials.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:15:34 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms