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1690526

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2024
	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	AEA Group: Pensions
	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 Q329 of the oral evidence given by the Minister for Pensions to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on 10 January 2024, HC 144, what discussions his Department has had with the Cabinet Office on adequate means of redress for individuals impacted by the collapse of the AEA Technology pension scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	14895
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>Discussions between officials from my Department and Cabinet Office have not concluded. It would be unreasonable to pre-empt the outcome of those discussions. Wider considerations, such as potential routes of redress beyond the powers of the Pensions Ombudsman, fall outside the remit of my Department.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 23/02/2024 12:05:38 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1605447

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2023
	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	Habitual Residence Test
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department have made of the potential merits of changing the requirements of past presence tests for social security benefits to take account of peoples inability to travel during the covid-19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	169328
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2023 answer text <p>The past presence test (PPT) is a qualifying condition for the DWP disability and carer benefits and ensures claimants have a substantial and recent connection to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>There are a number of exemptions to the PPT which are clearly set out in secondary legislation. The PPT policy is kept under review and changes are made when appropriate, as shown by the amendments that have been made over the last few years in response to different situations; for example, introducing exemptions for refugees, those granted humanitarian status and for some people fleeing the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants who were abroad and could not return to Great Britain due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic were advised that they could continue to be paid for as long as those restrictions remained in place. Once restrictions were lifted, allowing for travel back, then claimants were expected to do so if they wanted to continue to receive payment.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 169330 question first answered 28/03/2023 11:48:07 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1605448

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2023
	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	Habitual Residence Test
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department have made of the potential merits of changing the requirements of past presence tests for applicants to the over 80 pension to take account of peoples inability to travel during the covid-19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	169329
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2023 answer text <p>The Category D State Pension is a non-contributory pension for those aged 80 and over who either have no basic State Pension or whose State Pension is less than the current Category D rate of £85.00 per week and who meet the residency conditions. The residency conditions include the requirement to have been resident in Great Britain for 10 years in a continuous period of 20 years which includes the day before the person’s 80<sup>th</sup> birthday or any day thereafter. This residence requirement is a different test to the “past presence test” which applies to certain disability and carers benefits.</p><p> </p><p>The Category D State Pension does not form part of the new State Pension for those who reach State Pension age on or after 6<sup>th</sup> April 2016. No assessment has been made of the merits of changing the residence requirements in light of the Covid 19 travel restrictions.</p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott question first answered 23/03/2023 12:42:29 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1605449

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2023
	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	Habitual Residence Test
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to review social security benefit applications rejected on the basis of the past presence test, in the context of people's inability to travel during the covid-19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	169330
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2023 answer text <p>The past presence test (PPT) is a qualifying condition for the DWP disability and carer benefits and ensures claimants have a substantial and recent connection to the UK.</p><p> </p><p>There are a number of exemptions to the PPT which are clearly set out in secondary legislation. The PPT policy is kept under review and changes are made when appropriate, as shown by the amendments that have been made over the last few years in response to different situations; for example, introducing exemptions for refugees, those granted humanitarian status and for some people fleeing the conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants who were abroad and could not return to Great Britain due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic were advised that they could continue to be paid for as long as those restrictions remained in place. Once restrictions were lifted, allowing for travel back, then claimants were expected to do so if they wanted to continue to receive payment.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 169328 question first answered 28/03/2023 11:48:07 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1549521

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2022
	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	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people eligible for Pension Credit but who are not claiming it in each of the nations of the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	105420
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>Estimates for Pension Credit take-up are only available at the Great Britain level. The latest statistics are in the publication: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year 2019 to 2020 - GOV.UK (<a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>)</p><p>Pension Credit provides vital financial support to pensioners on a low income and we want all those who are eligible to claim it. That’s why the Department launched a £1.2m nationwide communications campaign in April to raise awareness of Pension Credit and increase take-up. The campaign included:</p><ul><li>Promotion of Pension Credit on social media, via internet search engines and sponsored advertising on targeted websites that pensioners, their friends and family are likely to visit;</li><li>Information screens in Post Offices and GP surgeries across GB;</li><li>Advertising in regional and national newspapers and on national and local broadcast radio;</li><li>Advertising on the sides of buses, interior bus panels and digital street displays;</li><li>Leaflets and posters in Jobcentres, as well as digital versions which could be used by stakeholders and partners across local communities;</li><li>Engagement with Local Authorities nationwide through the Government Communication Service local network and promotional materials to enable them to support the campaign; and</li><li>In June, we held a second Pension Credit awareness media ‘day of action’ working in close collaboration with broadcasters, newspapers and other partners such as Age UK, Independent Age and the private sector to reach out to pensioners to promote Pension Credit through their channels.</li><li>An updated digital toolkit with information and resources that any stakeholder can use to help promote Pension Credit.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This month we’re undertaking a further burst of communications activity, including press and radio advertising and social media focusing on highlighting to pensioners that if they apply for Pension Credit by 18 December, it will not be too late to qualify for a £324 Cost of Living Payment – subject to Pension Credit backdating rules.</p><p> </p><p>On 7 December, around 40 MPs attended a Pension Credit event at Portcullis House which I hosted. I was pleased to hear about the work that a number of MPs are already doing to help their constituents make a claim and also that others pledged to help promote Pension Credit ahead of 18 December.</p><p> </p><p>In the new year, DWP will again write to over 11 million pensioners as part of the annual uprating of State Pension. The accompanying leaflet has been updated to include the prominent campaign messaging promoting Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott grouped question UIN 105421 105422 question first answered 12/12/2022 15:13:06 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1549522

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2022
	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	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the total value of unclaimed pension credit in each of the nations of the UK in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	105421
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>Estimates for Pension Credit take-up are only available at the Great Britain level. The latest statistics are in the publication: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year 2019 to 2020 - GOV.UK (<a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>)</p><p>Pension Credit provides vital financial support to pensioners on a low income and we want all those who are eligible to claim it. That’s why the Department launched a £1.2m nationwide communications campaign in April to raise awareness of Pension Credit and increase take-up. The campaign included:</p><ul><li>Promotion of Pension Credit on social media, via internet search engines and sponsored advertising on targeted websites that pensioners, their friends and family are likely to visit;</li><li>Information screens in Post Offices and GP surgeries across GB;</li><li>Advertising in regional and national newspapers and on national and local broadcast radio;</li><li>Advertising on the sides of buses, interior bus panels and digital street displays;</li><li>Leaflets and posters in Jobcentres, as well as digital versions which could be used by stakeholders and partners across local communities;</li><li>Engagement with Local Authorities nationwide through the Government Communication Service local network and promotional materials to enable them to support the campaign; and</li><li>In June, we held a second Pension Credit awareness media ‘day of action’ working in close collaboration with broadcasters, newspapers and other partners such as Age UK, Independent Age and the private sector to reach out to pensioners to promote Pension Credit through their channels.</li><li>An updated digital toolkit with information and resources that any stakeholder can use to help promote Pension Credit.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This month we’re undertaking a further burst of communications activity, including press and radio advertising and social media focusing on highlighting to pensioners that if they apply for Pension Credit by 18 December, it will not be too late to qualify for a £324 Cost of Living Payment – subject to Pension Credit backdating rules.</p><p> </p><p>On 7 December, around 40 MPs attended a Pension Credit event at Portcullis House which I hosted. I was pleased to hear about the work that a number of MPs are already doing to help their constituents make a claim and also that others pledged to help promote Pension Credit ahead of 18 December.</p><p> </p><p>In the new year, DWP will again write to over 11 million pensioners as part of the annual uprating of State Pension. The accompanying leaflet has been updated to include the prominent campaign messaging promoting Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott grouped question UIN 105420 105422 question first answered 12/12/2022 15:13:06 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1549523

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2022
	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	Pension Credit
	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 increase the uptake of pension credit among those who are eligible but not claiming the benefit.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	105422
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>Estimates for Pension Credit take-up are only available at the Great Britain level. The latest statistics are in the publication: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year 2019 to 2020 - GOV.UK (<a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>)</p><p>Pension Credit provides vital financial support to pensioners on a low income and we want all those who are eligible to claim it. That’s why the Department launched a £1.2m nationwide communications campaign in April to raise awareness of Pension Credit and increase take-up. The campaign included:</p><ul><li>Promotion of Pension Credit on social media, via internet search engines and sponsored advertising on targeted websites that pensioners, their friends and family are likely to visit;</li><li>Information screens in Post Offices and GP surgeries across GB;</li><li>Advertising in regional and national newspapers and on national and local broadcast radio;</li><li>Advertising on the sides of buses, interior bus panels and digital street displays;</li><li>Leaflets and posters in Jobcentres, as well as digital versions which could be used by stakeholders and partners across local communities;</li><li>Engagement with Local Authorities nationwide through the Government Communication Service local network and promotional materials to enable them to support the campaign; and</li><li>In June, we held a second Pension Credit awareness media ‘day of action’ working in close collaboration with broadcasters, newspapers and other partners such as Age UK, Independent Age and the private sector to reach out to pensioners to promote Pension Credit through their channels.</li><li>An updated digital toolkit with information and resources that any stakeholder can use to help promote Pension Credit.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This month we’re undertaking a further burst of communications activity, including press and radio advertising and social media focusing on highlighting to pensioners that if they apply for Pension Credit by 18 December, it will not be too late to qualify for a £324 Cost of Living Payment – subject to Pension Credit backdating rules.</p><p> </p><p>On 7 December, around 40 MPs attended a Pension Credit event at Portcullis House which I hosted. I was pleased to hear about the work that a number of MPs are already doing to help their constituents make a claim and also that others pledged to help promote Pension Credit ahead of 18 December.</p><p> </p><p>In the new year, DWP will again write to over 11 million pensioners as part of the annual uprating of State Pension. The accompanying leaflet has been updated to include the prominent campaign messaging promoting Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott grouped question UIN 105420 105421 question first answered 12/12/2022 15:13:06 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1549524

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2022
	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	Bereavement Support Payment: Inflation
	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 potential merits of raising the level of Bereavement Support Payment in line with inflation since 2017.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	105423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>The rate of Bereavement Support Payment is reviewed on a discretionary basis as part of the annual uprating process. Following this year’s review, Bereavement Support Payment will stay at the current rate. This means that claimants on the standard rate will continue to receive a first payment of £2,500 and 18 monthly payments of £100, and those on the higher rate will receive £3,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of £350.</p><p>Bereavement Support Payment is intended to provide working people with short-term financial support following the death of a spouse or civil partner, to help towards the additional costs associated with a death. It is not means-tested unlike income replacement benefits such as Universal Credit, which we are increasing in line with inflation to protect the least well-off. Families needing extra financial support are protected by this welfare safety net.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 12/12/2022 17:36:44 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1549525

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2022
	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	Bereavement Support Payment: Ex Gratia Payments
	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 potential merits of establishing an ex gratia payment scheme to make sure that all families receive the same amount of Bereavement Support Payment as they would have done if they had been married or in a civil partnership.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	105424
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2022 answer text <p>The draft Remedial Order proposes to extend Widowed Parents Allowance and Bereavement Support Payment to cohabitees who have entitlement on, or from, 30th August 2018.</p><p>It is not routine for Social Security changes to be made retrospectively and we consider that the 30 August 2018 to be a logical and fair start date. This was the date that the incompatibility for Widowed Parents Allowance was accepted as final in the Supreme Court. To use an earlier start date would bring administrative complexity and costs to the taxpayer. Equally, it would not be appropriate to set up an ex-gratia scheme.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 12/12/2022 17:33:34 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1548960

	registered interest
	date	06/12/2022
	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	State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has he made of the impact of inflation increases on British pensioners living overseas in countries without a reciprocal uprating agreement with the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	104272
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2022 answer text <p>DWP does not make such assessments. The UK State Pension is payable worldwide to those who meet the qualifying conditions. Entitlement is based on an individual’s national insurance record. The policy on up-rating UK State Pensions overseas is long-standing and has been supported by successive post-war Governments for over 70 years. We continue to up-rate UK State Pensions abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so – for example where there is a reciprocal agreement that provides for up-rating. There are no plans to change this policy.</p> answering member constituency Sevenoaks answering member printed Laura Trott grouped question UIN 104252 104261 question first answered 14/12/2022 12:14:39 answering member 4780 label Biography information for Laura Trott
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady