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1058941

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of co-ordinating re-assessments for disabled claimants in receipt of employment support allowance and personal independence payments to avoid people having to undergoing multiple re-assessments.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	219485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>We are committed to assessing people with health conditions and disabilities fairly and accurately, helping people to access the right support. We have already introduced the Severe Conditions Criteria for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)/Universal Credit (UC) claimants who have the most severe and lifelong health conditions. As well as providing ongoing awards with light touch review at ten years for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants with the highest needs, where those needs will not improve.</p><p> </p><p>I do consider there are potential merits, and the Department recently announced our intention to create an integrated service for PIP and Work Capability Assessments to join up processes around the assessments. This will streamline the customer journey, enabling more user-friendly and joined-up benefit systems. Going further we will also test the feasibility of using a single assessment to determine eligibility for PIP or capability for work within UC/ESA where claims are initially made for both benefits. This should inform our approach to reassessments.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 18/03/2019 16:58:45 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1121343

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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 the potential benefits of reducing the current £16,000 savings threshold for entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	244145
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>We have no plans to change the capital rule on income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).</p><p>Entitlement to contributory ESA is not affected by the amount of capital a person has.</p><p> </p><p>The current upper capital limit strikes a balance between protecting less well-off people and protecting the taxpayer, whilst at the same time recognising the conscientious efforts of people who have built up capital. This limit ensures that the help which comes from taxpayers, many of whom are themselves on low incomes and have limited capital, is directed to people who need it most.</p><p>The effect of reducing the savings threshold would be that fewer claimants would be entitled to ESA.</p><p /> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/04/2019 10:27:59 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1123144

	registered interest
	date	25/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	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 publish a response to EDM 2296 on providing financial restitution to born in the 1950s women.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	247728
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2019 answer text <p>The approach of Labour, Conservative and the Coalition governments for the last 24 years since the 1995 pensions Act is the same. This Government’s position on the changes to State Pension age (SPa) remains clear and consistent.</p><p> </p><p>The legislative changes to women’s SPa address the longstanding inequalities that had previously existed between men and women’s SPa. If State Pension age had not been equalised, women would be spending over 40 per cent of their adult life in retirement and this proportion would be continuing to increase. Even after equalising women's State Pension age with men's, women will spend on average around two years more in receipt of their State Pension because of their longer life expectancy.</p><p> </p><p>The overall trend in the percentage of pensioners living in poverty is a dramatic fall over several decades. We are forecast to spend over £120 billion on benefits for pensioners, including £99 billion on the State Pension (2019/2020). In 2019/20 we are spending £3.1 billion to increase benefit and pension rates for pensioners.</p><p> </p><p>The welfare system continues to provide a safety-net for those experiencing hardship, including that caused by unemployment, disability, and coping with caring responsibilities which affect those unable to work and therefore most in need in the run up to their State Pension age. Women who have had their State Pension age increased have the same eligibility to working age in-work, out-of-work and disability benefits as a man with the same date of birth.</p><p> </p><p>This matter has been comprehensively debated on many occasions in Parliament, and any amendment to the current legislation which creates a new inequality between men and women would be highly dubious as a matter of law. The Government does not respond to individual EDMs.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 30/04/2019 12:18:46 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1132223

	registered interest
	date	14/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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, pursuant to the Answers of 8 and 29 April 2019 to Questions 239928 and 245887, what progress she has made on revision of form ESA65B and whether that revision will make clear to doctors that they should continue to provide fit notes for claimants if they are appealing a decision or their condition worsens.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	264779
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The revised version of the ESA65B letter went live from 3<sup>rd</sup> June 2019. The revised letter states clearly the circumstances in which fit notes are required including to support Employment and Support Allowance appeals, where a claimant’s condition has worsened or if the claimant has developed a new health condition or disability.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 19/06/2019 14:30:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1132823

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish a response to Early Day Motion 2390, Pensions for women born in the 1950s.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	266154
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>The approach of Labour, Conservative and the Coalition governments for the last 24 years since the 1995 pensions Act is the same. This Government’s position on the changes to State Pension age (SPa) remains clear and consistent.</p><p /><p>We have considered the alternative options offered by stakeholders and found there are substantial practical, financial and legal problems to all alternative options offered by stakeholders so far to mitigate the impact on those affected. During the passage of the 2011 Act, the Government listened to the concerns of those affected and subsequently introduced a concession worth £1.1 billion in order to limit the impact on those women who would be most affected by the changes.</p><p> </p><p>In the years after the 1995 legislation, equalisation was frequently reported in the media and debated at length in Parliament. The changes were communicated in a variety of ways, for example with leaflets, extensive advertising campaigns were carried out and later individual letters were posted out. Throughout this period, the Department has also provided individuals with their most up-to-date State Pension age when they have requested a Pension statement. Between April 2000 and the end of April 2019, the Department provided more than 28 million personalised State Pension statements to people who requested them (either online or by telephone or post). We continue to encourage people to request a personalised State Pension Statement as part of our on-going communications.</p><p> </p><p>This matter has been comprehensively debated on many occasions in Parliament, and any amendment to the current legislation which creates a new inequality between men and women would be highly dubious as a matter of law. The Government has no plans to publish a response to EDM 2390.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 24/06/2019 16:54:58 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1145583

	registered interest
	date	24/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what documentation officials in Job Centres have been instructed to accept as proof of (a) settled status and (b) pre-settled status for EU nationals applying for social security benefits after 31 October 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	290390
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>We have been clear that the rights of EU nationals with settled and pre-settled status who apply for social security benefits after 31 October 2019 will be protected.</p><p>DWP recognises leave granted under the EU settlement scheme. EU nationals who claim social security benefits can present their notification of settled or pre-settled status in support of their claim. DWP procedures require staff to verify evidence of immigration status through the Habitual Residence Test Process. Mechanisms are in place between DWP and the Home Office to verify settled status notifications.</p><p>EU nationals who are granted settled status and are habitually resident in the UK are eligible to access income-related benefits.</p><p>EU nationals who are granted pre-settled status and are exercising an EU qualifying right to reside e.g. worker or self-employed status are eligible to access income-related benefits.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 30/09/2019 13:50:31 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1188611

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2020
	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	Jobseeker's Allowance: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government's announcement of 20 March 2020 that the rate of universal credit standard allowance will be increased in response to the covid-19 outbreak, whether the Government plans to increase the rate of jobseeker's allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	37934
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2020 answer text <p>There are no current plans to increase the amount of Jobseeker’s Allowance due to COVID19. Of course these benefits were increased by 1.7% from 6 April, following the Government announcement to end the benefits freeze in November 2019.</p><p>DWP and HMRC are experiencing significant increased demand and the Government has to prioritise the safety and stability of the benefits system overall, announcing measures that can be quickly and effectively operationalised.</p><p>Taken together, DWP’s measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system and, along with the other job and business support programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support introduced by an advanced economy in response to COVID19.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 05/05/2020 09:35:37 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 17066 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1191049

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants had their social security payments limited by the application of the two child rule in (a) January (b) February (c) March and (d) April 2020 in each region of the UK
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	41083
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2020 answer text <p>The information requested is currently not available. They will be issued in an official statistics release in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 05/05/2020 12:20:06 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1191050

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants had their social security payments limited by the application of the benefit cap in (a) January (b) February (c) March and (d) April 2020 in each region of the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	41084
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs. However, whilst the stats requested are not readily available, as part of a regular publication, new statistics for Benefit Cap Households to February 2020 are due to be published on Thursday 7th May at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-cap-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-cap-statistics</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 42040 question first answered 06/05/2020 11:48:04 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 19210 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1197622

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2020
	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: Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to allow students in further and higher education to apply for Universal Credit during months when they are not in receipt of (a) grants or (b) loans from relevant awards agencies or loans companies.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	49724
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/06/2020 answer text <p>Most students in full-time education do not qualify for Universal Credit (UC) unless an exception applies.</p><p> </p><p>Under covid-19 regulations, those who do not receive student finance and who would ordinarily not have entitlement to UC, such as those undertaking a part-time course which would otherwise not be considered as compatible with the requirements for them to look for and be available for work, will have entitlement to UC. The DWP Secretary of State and Chief Secretary to the Treasury have agreed to dis-apply UC and both legacy and new style JSA work preparation, work search and availability requirements and related sanctions. This will initially be for a three-month period which commenced on the 30<sup>th</sup> March. After three months, consideration will be given as to whether a further extension is required.</p><p> </p><p>Students are able to access funding to support their education courses through various loans and grants, which are the responsibility of the Department for Education (DfE). Students who do not ordinarily have entitlement to UC and who receive a maintenance loan or grant through the student finance system will continue to be able to draw upon this financial support until the end of this academic year. The adequacy of student finance is a matter for DfE.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 02/06/2020 13:49:58 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1201541

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Migrants
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what equality impact assessments her Department has undertaken on people who have been refused access to social security benefits as a result of being subject to No Recourse to Public Funds restrictions with in relation to (a) race and (b) other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	55708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2020 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>I can confirm that there have been no equality impact assessments undertaken. Non-UK nationals and family members who are issued with a residence permit with a NRPF condition are not eligible to access taxpayer-funded benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit or housing assistance for the duration of their leave. Public funds does not include contributions-based benefits and the State Pension. DWP has no powers to award taxpayer-funded benefits to an individual whose Home Office immigration status specifies no recourse to public funds.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 10/06/2020 13:27:15 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1230787

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2020
	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	Kickstart Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority on the applicability of the Kickstart scheme to employment in offices of Members of Parliament.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	84285
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>Engagement with stakeholders has been a vital part of developing the Kickstart Scheme. Throughout the rapid policy development phase, we have engaged with over 300 individual stakeholders and/or stakeholder organisations. This includes employers and business representative organisations, local and regional representatives, devolved administrations, and third sector organisations. Following the launch, we will continue to engage with organisations and reach out to those not yet consulted, such as the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, in order to encourage a wide range of delivery partners to support the scheme and make it a success.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 08/09/2020 12:14:29 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 45013 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1275753

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2021
	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: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of suspending in-work conditionality requirements for universal credit recipients as a result of the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the job market.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	136550
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2021 answer text <p>Claimants who are in work with earnings above the Administrative Earnings Threshold are not currently expected to undertake any mandatory work-related activity in Universal Credit.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 18/01/2021 13:53:56 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1275757

	registered interest
	date	12/01/2021
	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: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of (a) receipt and (b) non-receipt of furlough payments on in-work claimants in receipt of universal credit as a top-up to their wages.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	136551
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>No assessment has been made.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 19/01/2021 15:30:12 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1277435

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	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: Part-time Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of universal credit claimants in part-time employment who are required by her Department to find alternative full-time work.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	139046
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2021 answer text <p>We do not require claimants who are in work with earnings above the Administrative Earnings Threshold to undertake any mandatory activity in Universal Credit. Claimants who work and earn below the Administrative Earnings Threshold may be required to participate in mandatory work-related activity. This depends on their personal circumstances, which vary from one claimant to another. For this reason, we are unable to make any such estimate of claimant numbers.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/01/2021 17:35:06 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1278223

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2021
	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	Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund: 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 she has made of the potential merits of amending the rules for universal credit to ensure that payments received from the Scottish Government’s Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund are fully disregarded so as not to result in deductions to benefit entitlement.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	140156
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/02/2021 answer text <p>The eligibility criteria for the Scottish Government’s new £1,500 grant for private hire and taxi drivers is a matter for the Scottish Government not the UK government. While DWP was not consulted in advance about the eligibility criteria, it is our understanding that the grant is intended to assist with fixed costs and expenses, including license plate fees, rental fees and insurance payments for taxis not on the road. Legislation already provides that Covid-19 related grants which are intended to cover loss of business income and to aid business recovery will be disregarded for Universal Credit purposes for 12 months.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 140113 question first answered 22/02/2021 16:40:57 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 76973 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1286913

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the Scottish Government's system of fast-track access to disability benefits for people who have terminal illnesses to (a) universal credit and (b) all other benefits administered by her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	154638
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2021 answer text <p>The Department is committed to delivering an improved benefit system for claimants that are nearing the end of their lives and is working across Government to bring forward proposals following the evaluation. I remain committed to implementing the key areas identified in the evaluation; a consensus to change the six-month rule; improving ​consistency with other services used by people nearing the end of their lives; and raising awareness of the support that is available.</p><p>The Scottish Government are able to develop their own policies and procedures as they introduce their replacement benefits. My Department works closely with the Scottish Government to ensure we understand how the two systems interact.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/02/2021 17:26:07 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1288123

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the time taken by her Department to process applications for personal independence payments.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	156453
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2021 answer text <p>Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, we have been committed to ensuring that people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment in a timely manner. We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence.</p><p>We are currently operating within expected levels. Average clearance times from initial claim to a decision being made for new claims are currently 16 weeks (October 2020).</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/02/2021 14:40:12 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1299290

	registered interest
	date	03/03/2021
	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 recent assessment she has made of the level of uptake of pension credit.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	162649
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>The Department assesses levels of take-up of Pension Credit on an annual basis. Latest official statistics on the take-up of income-related benefits at Great Britain level, including Pension Credit, can be found in the publication ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2018 to 2019', available at.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2018-to-2019</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department continues to use available channels to promote Pension Credit and reach potential recipients, and their family and friends. This includes using proactive press activity and planned social media posts to encourage older people to check if they are eligible. As part of an internal review of communication products, we have identified improvements in our Pension Credit messaging at key customer “touchpoints” and are updating the products used to claim Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance accordingly. We have also improved the information about Pension Credit in the leaflet accompanying the letters to over 11 million pensioners informing them about the increase in their State Pension from April. No assessment has been made of the need for additional measures to increase Pension Credit take-up.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 162650 question first answered 09/03/2021 13:40:28 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 88227 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1299291

	registered interest
	date	03/03/2021
	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 assessment her Department has made of the need for additional measures to increase pension credit uptake.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	162650
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>The Department assesses levels of take-up of Pension Credit on an annual basis. Latest official statistics on the take-up of income-related benefits at Great Britain level, including Pension Credit, can be found in the publication ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2018 to 2019', available at.</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2018-to-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2018-to-2019</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department continues to use available channels to promote Pension Credit and reach potential recipients, and their family and friends. This includes using proactive press activity and planned social media posts to encourage older people to check if they are eligible. As part of an internal review of communication products, we have identified improvements in our Pension Credit messaging at key customer “touchpoints” and are updating the products used to claim Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance accordingly. We have also improved the information about Pension Credit in the leaflet accompanying the letters to over 11 million pensioners informing them about the increase in their State Pension from April. No assessment has been made of the need for additional measures to increase Pension Credit take-up.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 162649 question first answered 09/03/2021 13:40:28 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 88228 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1328881

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2021
	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: Opening Hours
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job centres and temporary job centres are currently opening on Sundays; and what discussions her Department has had with staff representatives on Sunday opening.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	8647
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Jobcentres are open Monday to Friday, including Saturdays where this has been agreed. We do not open our Jobcentres on a Sunday, other than in exceptional circumstances to respond to local needs. We have not had any conversations with our Departmental Trade Unions about opening on Sundays.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 07/06/2021 14:56:55 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1354367

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Post Office Card Account
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many social security claimants receive their payments into a Post Office Card Account.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	45865
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2021 answer text <p>As of August 2021 the Department makes payments into less than 350k active Post Office Card Accounts. This is down from 1 million in 2019.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/09/2021 15:37:26 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1354368

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many social security claimants have migrated payment of their claims from a Post Office Card Account (POca) to a bank account since the closure of the POca scheme has been announced.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	45866
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2021 answer text <p>The Department does not hold information on the number of claimants who have migrated from a Post Office card account to a standard account.</p><p> </p><p>The number of active Post Office card accounts has reduced from 1 million in August 2019 to less than 350k in August 2021.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/09/2021 15:35:43 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1546431

	registered interest
	date	29/11/2022
	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	Carer's 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 the potential merits of increasing the weekly earning limits for Carers Allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	98809
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2022 answer text <p>Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are also in households receiving Universal Credit, whose structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over the earnings rules in Carer’s Allowance for these carers. This helps ensure that, if they wish to work, carers on the lowest incomes are better off doing so. There is, however, no requirement for those caring for 35 hours or more a week to undertake work search whilst receiving Universal Credit. In work or out of work, these carers may also receive the Universal Credit Carer Element, worth around an additional £2,000 a year.</p><p>Some carers may not be able to receive Universal Credit, for example due to their levels of household capital or income. These carers may only be receiving Carer’s Allowance. This is not means-tested and not based on National Insurance contributions. It has an earnings limit which permits carers to undertake some part-time work if they are able to do so. This recognises the benefits of staying in touch with the workplace, including greater financial independence and social interaction.</p><p>We know that some carers who are above Universal Credit thresholds are keen to maintain contact with the labour market, so we want to encourage carers in this position to combine some paid work with their caring duties wherever possible. That is why we regularly increase the earnings limit when it is warranted and affordable. The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is currently £132 a week. Subject to Parliamentary approval, this will increase to £139 a week from April 2023. This will mean that the earnings limit will have increased by over one third since 2010.</p><p>It should be noted that Carer’s Allowance is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. While the Scottish Government builds its capacity to replace it with Scottish Carer’s Assistance, DWP Ministers have agreed that DWP will administer Carer’s Allowance on behalf of the Scottish Ministers under an agency agreement. For as long as that agreement is in place, the Scottish Ministers need to ensure that Carer’s Allowance rules and rates in Scotland maintains legislative parity with Carer’s Allowance in England and Wales.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 02/12/2022 15:00:29 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	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

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

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

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

1150527

	registered interest
	date	17/10/2019
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Employment: Sexual Harassment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a preventative duty on employers to require them to take reasonable, proactive steps to protect workers from sexual harassment and victimisation.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	1716
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2019 answer text <p>Earlier this year, we consulted on the evidence for a preventative duty on employers. The consultation closed on 2 October and we are currently considering the responses received.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 23/10/2019 12:45:41 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1201543

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2020
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Immigrants: Equality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what equality impact assessments have been undertaken on the differential effect of No Recourse to Public Funds in relation to (a) race and (b) other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	55710
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office reviewed the policy on removing the No Recourse to Public Funds condition in relation to race and other protected characteristics earlier this year. A Policy Equality Statement was published in April and placed on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a>: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/880531/Policy_Equality_Statement__PES__21_April_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/880531/Policy_Equality_Statement__PES__21_April_2020.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 06/08/2020 08:51:04 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1670766

	registered interest
	date	17/11/2023
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Veganism: Catering
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Vegan Society's report entitled Catering for Everyone: How far are councils catering for vegans, published in September 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	2405
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2023 answer text <p>I refer the Honourable Member to my response to UIN 1516 on 21 November 2023.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 27/11/2023 10:40:31 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1104812

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coinage
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2019 to Question 215222 on Brexit: Festivals and Special Occasions, on what date The Royal Mint plans for the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU to go into circulation.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	236421
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2019 answer text <p>The commemorative 50p to mark the UK leaving the European Union will be made available following the UK’s departure. As previously confirmed, the coin will be available to buy from the Royal Mint and will not go into circulation. Those interested in purchasing a coin can register their details on the Royal Mint’s website.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 28/03/2019 16:17:16 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1104813

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coinage
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date The Royal Mint began or plans to begin production of the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	236422
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2019 answer text <p>The commemorative 50p to mark the UK leaving the European Union will be made available following the UK’s departure.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 28/03/2019 17:40:00 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1104814

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coinage
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what costs The Royal Mint has incurred for the (a) design and (b) production of the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	236423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2019 answer text <p>The cost of designing and producing commemorative coins is met by the Royal Mint out of its own revenues, at no cost to the taxpayer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 28/03/2019 16:05:32 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1110849

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Revenue and Customs: Glasgow
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, much the HMRC spent on hiring private venues in Glasgow for meetings with individual taxpayers in the financial year 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	242869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available, as such the information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Central Devon answering member printed Mel Stride question first answered 23/04/2019 15:48:43 answering member 3935 label Biography information for Mel Stride
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1121347

	registered interest
	date	11/04/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Royal Bank of Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the planned timeframe for the publication of a report on the second phase of its investigation into the Royal Bank of Scotland's Global Restructuring Group.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	244146
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>On 31 July 2018, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced it would publish a fuller account of its findings following the conclusion of its investigation into the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Global Restructuring Group.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA is an independent non-governmental body. In view of this independence, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on the timeframe for the publication of the FCA’s findings.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 23/04/2019 13:04:47 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1126482

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Debts: Developing Countries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish a response to Early Day Motion 158 on Transparency of developing country debts.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	254221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>I thank the honourable member for Glasgow North for his question, and refer him to my answer of 14 November to PQ UIN 189731.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 20/05/2019 15:52:43 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1150113

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Avoidance: EU Law
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK remains in alignment with the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	1055
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed in ensuring all multinational enterprises pay their fair share of tax in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>The UK already has anti-avoidance rules in place which in most cases meet or exceed the Directive’s requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Finance Act 2019 introduced several technical changes which mean that the UK’s existing rules will be compliant with the approach taken by the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive by 1 January 2020.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 21/10/2019 15:15:33 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1151511

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Coinage
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2019 to Question 236421 on Coinage, whether a date has been agreed with the Royal Mint on which the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU will go into circulation.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	3723
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>The 50 pence coin to commemorate the UK’s departure from the EU will be ready to enter circulation following the UK’s departure.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 28/10/2019 13:57:13 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1179992

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Mortgages: Government Assistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to support people that are unable to transfer from high interest rate mortgages to more affordable mortgages.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	19983
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>A mortgage prisoner is an existing borrower that cannot switch to a cheaper deal with a new lender because they don’t meet stricter borrowing criteria set by strengthened regulations post financial crisis. The Government is aware that these borrowers have been in a difficult and stressful situation. That is why we have worked closely with the FCA to implement their rule change to remove the regulatory barrier that has prevented some customers from switching.</p><p> </p><p>I have written to Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer of UK Finance to outline my expectation that as many of its members as possible should move quickly to offer new deals to borrowers that are eligible to switch under the new FCA rules.</p><p> </p><p>However, FCA data shows that some of these borrowers may be in problem debt and are therefore likely to exceed the risk appetite of many lenders, including those in arrears. As with any borrower in the UK that experiences problem debt, the Government and the FCA are committed to working alongside lenders to provide appropriate support for these individuals. That is why we have established a range of initiatives to support those in problem debt, including the Money and Pensions Service which has been set up by the Government to support consumers with free and impartial information for every stage of their financial lives. Treasury officials are also working on implementing Breathing Space which will give borrowers in problem debt the opportunity to get their finances back on track. We have also ensured that regulations concentrate on helping people avoid repossession, including protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol which makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders.</p><p> </p><p>The sale of mortgage books is a commercial decision for lenders and the Government does not seek to intervene in these decisions.</p><p> </p><p>I cannot comment on future UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) sales other than to say that a range of buyers, including active lenders, will be invited to participate and we will continue to require bidders to agree to our robust customer protections. In asset sales to date, we have not received a bid from an active lender that covered all of the portfolio on offer.</p><p> </p><p>In all sales of UKAR loans, customer treatment is a key consideration for UKAR and the government in selecting a bidder and all bidders have to agree to UKAR’s customer treatment conditions in order for their bid to be considered. This is a strict requirement, not open to negotiation, and is considered before bids are assessed on price.</p><p> </p><p>The purchaser is obliged to ensure the servicer of the mortgages is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). For the latest asset sale and future sales the legal title holder must also be FCA-regulated. This is a contractual requirement.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 19989 question first answered 27/02/2020 13:34:24 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1180009

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Mortgages
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help prevent the sale of mortgages to vulture funds.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	19989
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>A mortgage prisoner is an existing borrower that cannot switch to a cheaper deal with a new lender because they don’t meet stricter borrowing criteria set by strengthened regulations post financial crisis. The Government is aware that these borrowers have been in a difficult and stressful situation. That is why we have worked closely with the FCA to implement their rule change to remove the regulatory barrier that has prevented some customers from switching.</p><p> </p><p>I have written to Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer of UK Finance to outline my expectation that as many of its members as possible should move quickly to offer new deals to borrowers that are eligible to switch under the new FCA rules.</p><p> </p><p>However, FCA data shows that some of these borrowers may be in problem debt and are therefore likely to exceed the risk appetite of many lenders, including those in arrears. As with any borrower in the UK that experiences problem debt, the Government and the FCA are committed to working alongside lenders to provide appropriate support for these individuals. That is why we have established a range of initiatives to support those in problem debt, including the Money and Pensions Service which has been set up by the Government to support consumers with free and impartial information for every stage of their financial lives. Treasury officials are also working on implementing Breathing Space which will give borrowers in problem debt the opportunity to get their finances back on track. We have also ensured that regulations concentrate on helping people avoid repossession, including protection in the courts through the Pre-Action Protocol which makes it clear that repossession must always be the last resort for lenders.</p><p> </p><p>The sale of mortgage books is a commercial decision for lenders and the Government does not seek to intervene in these decisions.</p><p> </p><p>I cannot comment on future UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) sales other than to say that a range of buyers, including active lenders, will be invited to participate and we will continue to require bidders to agree to our robust customer protections. In asset sales to date, we have not received a bid from an active lender that covered all of the portfolio on offer.</p><p> </p><p>In all sales of UKAR loans, customer treatment is a key consideration for UKAR and the government in selecting a bidder and all bidders have to agree to UKAR’s customer treatment conditions in order for their bid to be considered. This is a strict requirement, not open to negotiation, and is considered before bids are assessed on price.</p><p> </p><p>The purchaser is obliged to ensure the servicer of the mortgages is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). For the latest asset sale and future sales the legal title holder must also be FCA-regulated. This is a contractual requirement.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen grouped question UIN 19983 question first answered 27/02/2020 13:34:24 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1187202

	registered interest
	date	23/03/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to waive duty payments on the production of alcohol for use in hand sanitiser by spirit drinks distillers in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	33695
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>To meet the additional demand for hand sanitiser, the government has been supporting manufacturers by ensuring they have access to the denatured alcohol they need. Since the beginning of March, HM Revenue &amp; Customs has fast-tracked the authorisation of over 3 million additional litres of denatured alcohol for hand sanitiser production.</p><p> </p><p>However, in light of continuing high demand for the alcohol needed in these products, HMRC has worked proactively with the spirits industry on a series of easements to the current requirements. Under new measures announced on 23<sup>rd</sup> March, distillers and gin producers that hold alcohol or alcohol waste within an excise warehouse may, without HMRC’s prior approval, use these products to produce hand sanitiser without the payment of excise duty, providing the final product meets the World Health Organization’s formulation for Handrub.</p><p> </p><p>Further information on all the easements announced by HMRC to support hand sanitiser production can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch grouped question UIN 33696 question first answered 21/04/2020 06:54:50 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1187203

	registered interest
	date	23/03/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Spirits: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of the spirit distillation industry in the UK on the support they require to switch production to the manufacture of santising products.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	33696
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>To meet the additional demand for hand sanitiser, the government has been supporting manufacturers by ensuring they have access to the denatured alcohol they need. Since the beginning of March, HM Revenue &amp; Customs has fast-tracked the authorisation of over 3 million additional litres of denatured alcohol for hand sanitiser production.</p><p> </p><p>However, in light of continuing high demand for the alcohol needed in these products, HMRC has worked proactively with the spirits industry on a series of easements to the current requirements. Under new measures announced on 23<sup>rd</sup> March, distillers and gin producers that hold alcohol or alcohol waste within an excise warehouse may, without HMRC’s prior approval, use these products to produce hand sanitiser without the payment of excise duty, providing the final product meets the World Health Organization’s formulation for Handrub.</p><p> </p><p>Further information on all the easements announced by HMRC to support hand sanitiser production can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch grouped question UIN 33695 question first answered 21/04/2020 06:54:50 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1188760

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Insurance: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the insurance industry on implementing an insurance premium holiday period for people affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
	tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
	uin	37997
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that the outbreak of COVID-19 may lead to consumers facing financial difficulty and uncertainty. The Government is working closely with the financial sector and financial regulators in order to ensure they take coordinated steps in support of the Government’s economic response to COVID-19.</p><p> </p><p>To help consumers who are facing temporary cash flow problems as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are several measures that have been introduced across wider financial services. On 17 March, the Chancellor announced on behalf of the sector that mortgage lenders will offer a three month ‘mortgage holiday’ for borrowers in financial difficulty.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, on 14 April, the Financial Conduct Authority implemented proposals to give its regulated firms the flexibility to provide temporary financial relief to those facing payment difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures include firms being expected to offer a temporary payment freeze on loans and credit cards for up to three months, for consumers negatively impacted by COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 27/04/2020 14:13:19 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady