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1146582
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Payments more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment she has made of the average length of time for a claimant to receive their first (a) legacy benefit payment and (b) universal credit payment in the each of the last two years. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291447 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-03more like thismore than 2019-10-03
answer text <p>The design of Universal Credit is fundamentally different to legacy benefits, so any assessment would not reflect this adequately.</p><p> </p><p>The Department published an assessment of legacy benefit and Universal Credit payment timeliness in its Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19. This showed that the speed of Universal Credit payments has continued to improve during its rollout and the Department continues to introduce improvements. Between February 2018 to February 2019 Universal Credit payment timeliness improved with 86% of new claims to Universal Credit receiving full payment on time in February 2019, an increase from 78% in February 2018.</p><p> </p><p>Monthly assessment periods align to the way the majority of employees are paid, and how utility companies and other service providers collect payments. This allows Universal Credit to be adjusted each month, which means that if a claimant’s income falls they will not have to wait several months for a rise in their Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Overall, Universal Credit provides more tailored support, and makes it more financially rewarding to increase earnings when in employment compared to legacy benefits.</p>
answering member constituency Colchester more like this
answering member printed Will Quince more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-03T15:55:01.567Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-03T15:55:01.567Z
answering member
4423
label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this
1146583
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Universal Credit: Payments more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of whether households have reduced their expenditure on non-essential items in order to avoid debt while waiting for their first payment of universal credit. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291448 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-03more like thismore than 2019-10-03
answer text <p>For new claimants applying for Universal Credit (UC), new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in financial need, which can be accessed quickly, until their first UC payment is due.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to this, the Department has delivered a number of improvements to support claimants during their first assessment period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.</p><p> </p><p>For those who need help with budgeting, support is available for Universal Credit claimants via the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS). MaPS will help UC claimants with personal budgeting and money management through its free helpline, printed guides and digital guidance.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Colchester more like this
answering member printed Will Quince more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-03T15:52:55.867Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-03T15:52:55.867Z
answering member
4423
label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this
1146584
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Universal Credit: Payments more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a policy of backdating universal credit payments. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291449 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-03more like thismore than 2019-10-03
answer text <p>Under Universal Credit, claims may be backdated, by up to one calendar month, in some circumstances for vulnerable claimants who may be delayed in claiming Universal Credit through no fault of their own. Claims may also be backdated in specific circumstances when a couple separates to ensure that there is no gap in entitlement between the couple claim and the new claim made by a single claimant.</p><p> </p><p>In order to provide the best possible support to our claimants it is important that we are able to have discussions about their claim and circumstances at the earliest possible opportunity, whether to support them back into work or to provide or signpost other support and guidance. It is therefore important that backdating provisions are used in specific circumstances, and that all claimants are encouraged to engage with us at the earliest opportunity.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Colchester more like this
answering member printed Will Quince more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-03T15:44:06.827Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-03T15:44:06.827Z
answering member
4423
label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this
1146585
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Universal Credit: Payments more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the effect of ending the five week wait for the first universal credit payment on (a) levels of poverty and (b) the public purse. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291450 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-01more like thismore than 2019-10-01
answer text <p>Nobody has to wait for five weeks for a payment following an application for Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in financial need, which can be accessed urgently, until their first regular Universal Credit payment is due. Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, which they can pay back over a period of up to 12 months. We have announced that from October 2021, the repayment period for these advances will be extended further, to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has delivered a number of improvements to support claimants during their first assessment period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Assessment periods align to the way the majority of employees are paid, and how utility companies and other service providers collect payments. This allows Universal Credit to be adjusted each month, which means that if a claimant’s income falls they will not have to wait several months for a rise in their Universal Credit.</p>
answering member constituency Colchester more like this
answering member printed Will Quince more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-01T13:58:32.59Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-01T13:58:32.59Z
answering member
4423
label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this
1146581
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Food Supply more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to prevent food insecurity after the UK leaves the EU. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291446 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-04more like thismore than 2019-10-04
answer text <p>The Government has been clear that leaving the EU with a deal is its preferred option.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has put in place contingency plans for a range of exit scenarios. These contingencies ensure that DWP can continue to provide our vital services and that individuals will continue to be able to access DWP benefits and services on the same basis as they do now.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to providing a strong safety-net through the welfare system. We continue to spend over £95 billion a year on benefits for people of working age. DWP continues to monitor the effects of EU exit on the economy. Rates of benefits continue to be reviewed in line with the relevant legislation for uprating.</p> more like this
answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
grouped question UIN
290576 more like this
291140 more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-04T10:15:06.767Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-04T10:15:06.767Z
answering member
4105
label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this
1146586
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Disability more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the merits of replicating the policy of the Scottish Government to require full medical records to be available for disability benefit assessments. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291451 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-01more like thismore than 2019-10-01
answer text <p>It is a matter for the Scottish Government how they assess entitlement for devolved benefits.</p><p> </p><p>The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) are based on the impact of a person’s disability or health condition, not on the condition itself and are not medical assessments. Therefore, medical evidence forms only part of the picture needed to assess someone’s functional needs or ability.</p><p> </p><p>We ask people to send in evidence they already have to support their claim. Our Assessment Providers and Case Managers will ask GPs, hospitals and other healthcare or social care professionals for further evidence where they think that would be helpful.</p><p> </p><p>To offer a more joined-up service to disabled people, the DWP Health Transformation Programme will be integrating the services that deliver PIP and WCA. Our ambition is to make the assessment process simpler, more transparent and more user-friendly.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-01T13:02:02.247Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-01T13:02:02.247Z
answering member
4105
label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this
1146587
registered interest false more like this
date remove filter
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Disability more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the merits of only having face-to-face medical assessments for disability benefits if that is requested by the claimant. more like this
tabling member constituency Airdrie and Shotts remove filter
tabling member printed
Neil Gray more like this
uin 291452 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-01more like thismore than 2019-10-01
answer text <p>Face-to-face consultations give individuals the opportunity to put across their own views of the impact of their health condition or impairment on their everyday lives. However, we recognise that attending a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment or Work Capability Assessment (WCA) can be a stressful experience, which is why our Assessment Providers do not carry out face-to-face assessments where there is enough existing evidence to determine an individual’s functional restrictions.</p><p> </p><p>Our ambition is to make the assessment process simpler and more user-friendly by, where possible, gathering better evidence earlier in the claim to reduce the need for unnecessary face-to-face assessments.</p> more like this
answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-01T13:10:01.363Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-01T13:10:01.363Z
answering member
4105
label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
tabling member
4365
label Biography information for Neil Gray more like this