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751846

	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, how many universal credit claims have been affected by errors resulting from the real-time information system.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Frank Field
	uin	4800
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>The Real Time Information (RTI) system ensures that we get Universal Credit claims right by providing us with accurate and timely details of earnings and occupational pension payments from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’. The HMRC database holding the PAYE data reported in real time (RTI) receives the data from employers, holds it and passes on relevant data for Universal Credit claimants to DWP.</p><p> </p><p>The system is working well with over 99% of individual employment records now being reported in real time. We don’t collect data on the number of claims affected by errors resulting from the real-time information system. However, only a small proportion of the 1% of remaining cases are referred to HMRC to clarify those earnings with the employer</p><p> </p><p>DWP work closely with HMRC to investigate any risks associated with RTI data, and jointly deal with disputes arising when claimants query their reported earnings. As DWP receives copies of the data submitted by employers the risk of data corruption within HMRC is regarded as minimal. However, DWP and HMRC continually monitor the data and no significant problems have been identified.</p><p> </p><p>A number of processes are in place to deal with inaccurate data from employers. DWP and HMRC analysts monitor the RTI data received, looking for trends, patterns and causes. Both Departments then work together with employers and partners such as software developers and payroll bureaux to improve the quality of the data. This work supplements the BACS payment validation process.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 4801 question first answered 18/07/2017 16:27:18 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

751847

	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 assessment he has made of the reliability of real-time information for the purposes of calculating universal credit entitlement.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Frank Field
	uin	4801
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>The Real Time Information (RTI) system ensures that we get Universal Credit claims right by providing us with accurate and timely details of earnings and occupational pension payments from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’. The HMRC database holding the PAYE data reported in real time (RTI) receives the data from employers, holds it and passes on relevant data for Universal Credit claimants to DWP.</p><p> </p><p>The system is working well with over 99% of individual employment records now being reported in real time. We don’t collect data on the number of claims affected by errors resulting from the real-time information system. However, only a small proportion of the 1% of remaining cases are referred to HMRC to clarify those earnings with the employer</p><p> </p><p>DWP work closely with HMRC to investigate any risks associated with RTI data, and jointly deal with disputes arising when claimants query their reported earnings. As DWP receives copies of the data submitted by employers the risk of data corruption within HMRC is regarded as minimal. However, DWP and HMRC continually monitor the data and no significant problems have been identified.</p><p> </p><p>A number of processes are in place to deal with inaccurate data from employers. DWP and HMRC analysts monitor the RTI data received, looking for trends, patterns and causes. Both Departments then work together with employers and partners such as software developers and payroll bureaux to improve the quality of the data. This work supplements the BACS payment validation process.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds grouped question UIN 4800 question first answered 18/07/2017 16:27:18 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

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

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

751859

	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 the average time is after an application is submitted for universal credit before the first payment is received.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	4898
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>The assessment period and payment structure of Universal Credit creates a fixed period between date of entitlement and the first payment.</p><p> </p><p>The policy intention is that claimants receive the first payment 5 weeks after their date of entitlement (6 weeks if waiting days are served). The assessment period runs for a full calendar month from the date of entitlement, and the UC pay date will be 7 calendar days after the end of the assessment period. This mirrors the world of work and allows for a 1 month period in which to gather information about a claimants’ earnings. Advances and budgeting support are available to support claimants during this period. Advances can provide up to 50% of a claimants indicative award straight away.</p><p> </p><p>The latest internal data, for week ending 19 June, suggests some 80% of cases were paid in full at the end of the first assessment period. For the 20% of cases who were not paid in full we estimate around a third have not signed up to their claimant commitment so cannot be paid until they have. The other two thirds have an outstanding verification issue, such as providing bank statements, evidence of childcare costs, or proof of rent. Many of these claimants receive a part-payment where elements of the claim have been verified.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:16:33 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

751863

	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	Department for Work and Pensions: Location
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on the local economy of towns such as Merthyr Tydfil as a result of the proposed relocation of his Department's offices.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	4985
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>As a large employer, DWP understands the potential impact that a closure or relocation of an office may have. This is why we carefully considered the wider impacts on local communities, like Merthyr Tydfil, as part of the review of our estate.</p><p> </p><p>It is important to remember that the economic impact of employment is dispersed beyond the specific location of a workplace and staff currently based at Merthyr Tidfil already live in the broader area around the site. While we expect the majority of these staff to be relocated to a new place of work, it is unlikely that a significant proportion of them will also move their place of residence.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:18:56 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

751864

	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	Department for Work and Pensions: Location
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what impact assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed relocation on the quality of life for his Department's staff who will be relocated, particularly in relation to (a) the increase in the length of their working day due to travel time and (b) the effect on those with caring responsibilities.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	4970
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2017 answer text <p>Under the Public Sector Equality Duty the Department is required to consider the potential impact on people with protected characteristics when making policy decisions and delivering services. We have therefore carried out equality analyses wherever our plans are to close or co-locate an office or service. We used the findings to understand the potential impact of changes to our estate on people – both for the Department’s employees and people using our services.</p><p> </p><p>During the consultation process with individual employees who are required to move, their future journey in the context of a working day and relevant personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities, form part of the decision making process as to whether they will move or the Department will seek to redeploy them into an alternative role.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 18/07/2017 09:18:32 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones