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1138152

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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: Fraud
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to protect the rights and identities of benefit claimants from people making fraudulent claims using other people's identities.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	275683
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2019 answer text <p>Most welfare losses, across Government, arise from a failure to report changes of circumstances. Universal Credit provides a single, digital interface through which claimants can more easily report these changes. As such, once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, we expect cross-welfare losses to fraud, error and overpayments to be reduced by around £1 billion.</p><p> </p><p>The Department takes benefit fraud very seriously and is committed to taking appropriate action. We have a dedicated team of investigators working on this issue and are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that, where appropriate, the perpetrators of this fraud are prosecuted. Prosecutions for benefit fraud can result in prison sentences.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has been working to improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff. Guidance has also been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s fraud team.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/07/2019 12:20:02 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1176774

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2020
	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: Fraud
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many fraudulent cases of universal credit advance were (a) recorded and (b) processed at Jobcentres in (i) Preston, (ii) Blackburn, (iii) Blackpool and (iv) Bolton; what the value was of those fraudulent claims; and how much each claimant had to repay as a result of a fraudulent claim made on their behalf by a third party in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	13420
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2020 answer text <p>I estimate that providing the information you request would incur disproportionate costs.</p><p> </p><p>However, let me assure you that the Department takes this issue very seriously. We have set up a dedicated team to investigate this type of fraud and are proactively addressing it by using messaging on social media to remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity, as well as shutting down social media sites that promote this fraud.</p><p> </p><p>We have also made changes to the Universal Credit advance application process. Universal Credit claimants who wish to apply for a new claim advance are now required to attend a face to face interview. This change will help protect claimants from identity fraud and becoming victims of third party scams.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant has been the victim of a scam, and has not benefited from an advance in any way, they will not be asked to repay it. In these cases, we will seek recovery from the perpetrator of the scam. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 14/02/2020 12:40:00 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1177315

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2020
	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
	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 quarterly payment schedule of student finance on universal credit calculations for claimants who are responsible for one or more children; and whether she plans to halt the reduction of payments for those claimants whilst the fluctuations in income are adequately assessed.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	14616
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/02/2020 answer text <p>Most full-time students in education do not qualify for Universal Credit. 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. It is important that Universal Credit does not duplicate this support, which is designed for their needs unlike the social security system. Exceptions are made only where students have additional needs that are not met through the student support system.</p><p> </p><p>The full year’s award of student’s maintenance loan/grant is averaged out over the academic year. This average usually covers 10 monthly Assessment Periods as no student income is taken into account during the summer break. The amount taken into account is subject to a £110 disregard in each of these Assessment Periods, which is equivalent to that provided under Legacy Benefits, which includes an amount to cover the cost of books, travel and equipment.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 17/02/2020 16:32:07 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1202866

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2020
	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of benefit claims were successful in (a) Preston, (b) Lancashire and (c) England and Wales in April (i) 2018, (ii) 2019 and (iii) 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	58641
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>The available statistics for Universal Credit claims by postcode area, and starts by postcode area and Jobcentre Plus office are published quarterly at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a></p><p> </p><p>The available statistics for outcomes of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) by various geographies are published quarterly at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>The available statistics for registrations and clearances for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by various geographies are published quarterly at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>Guidance for users is available at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p><p>The information for all other benefits is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 16/06/2020 16:55:30 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1220916

	registered interest
	date	06/07/2020
	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	Victim Support Schemes: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to allocate additional funding to support domestic abuse victims to maintain (a) employment and (b) economic independence.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	69457
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2020 answer text <p>DWP is committed to providing the best possible support for all our claimants, including the most vulnerable in society. This includes those who are, or have been, victims of domestic abuse and economic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>DWP has a number of employment schemes that claimants, including victims of abuse, can access to improve their employability and skills. The Work and Health Programme gives ‘priority’ early access to victims of abuse. This programme supports people to enter and stay in work, and involves referrals to public, private and voluntary providers.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, the Government is providing £35 million to combat domestic abuse. This is on top of the £2 million we have already made available since the Covid-19 crisis, to support domestic abuse charities and raise awareness of the support available. We are also providing £3 million that will go to specialist services for children who have both been directly and indirectly affected by domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>Government Departments are working together to look at the overall support we provide for victims and to ensure that it is holistic and effectively fulfils their needs, so that victims can rebuild their lives.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 14/07/2020 15:52:59 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1221932

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2020
	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	Zero Hours Contracts: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she will take to support workers on zero-hour contracts who are not working as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and are unable to qualify for universal credit because they are considered to have employment.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	70984
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2020 answer text <p>It is wrong to say that workers on zero-hour contracts, who are not working as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, are unable to qualify for Universal Credit because they are considered to have employment.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Universal Credit is payable in and out of work including for those working zero-hour contracts, part-time or temporary jobs.</p><p> </p><p>The amount of Universal Credit paid to claimants reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period. Monthly assessment periods align to the way the majority of employees are paid and also allows Universal Credit to be adjusted each month. This 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>The Chancellor has also confirmed that, depending on their status, workers on zero hour contracts may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and we would urge people to explore this avenue too.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 13/07/2020 16:09:54 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1229394

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	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	Coronavirus: Quarantine
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to offer financial support to British residents who are required to self-isolate on return from travelling abroad.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	81556
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/09/2020 answer text <p>People who are required to self-isolate on their return from travelling abroad may be eligible for Universal Credit. This can be applied for online and includes extra money for housing and children.</p><p> </p><p>If a British resident has paid and/or been credited with sufficient National Insurance contributions in the last 2 to 3 tax years, they may also be eligible for New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This can also be applied for on-line. It can be claimed on its own or as well as Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>An application can also be made to New Style Employment and Support Allowance if the claimant has a disability or health condition that affects how much they can work.</p><p> </p><p>We have made changes to ESA in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These includes removing waiting days for ESA for claimants affected by Covid-19, so it will be payable from day one of the claim, subject to the claimant satisfying the normal conditions of entitlement. In addition we are treating all ESA claimants who satisfy the conditions of entitlement and are required to self-isolate in line with government guidance, including those required to quarantine on returning from abroad, as having limited capability for work, without the requirement to provide a fit note or to undergo a Work Capability Assessment.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 08/09/2020 16:39:27 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1243424

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2020
	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
	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 reducing the five-week wait time for universal credit claimants to receive their first payment.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	103431
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2020 answer text <p>No such assessment has been made and no-one has to wait 5 weeks for a payment.</p><p> </p><p>New Claims Advances are available which allow claimants to receive up to 100% of their estimated Universal Credit payment upfront so that new claimants will receive their annual award over 13 payments during their first year, instead of 12. They are paid quickly and these can be applied for online or over the phone. The upfront payment phasing can be spread over a two-year cycle from October 2021, as was announced in the Budget 2020.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 22/10/2020 12:08:57 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1259812

	registered interest
	date	09/12/2020
	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	Pensions: Gender
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce the gender pay gap in pensions savings.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	127478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2020 answer text <p>Automatic enrolment was developed and implemented by successive Governments to help groups who historically were poorly served or excluded from workplace pension saving, such as women and lower earners. These reforms have helped millions more women save into a workplace pension, many for the first time. Workplace pension participation among eligible women working in the private sector has risen from 40% in 2012 to 86% in 2019 – which is equal to men.</p><p> </p><p>In terms of private pensions, the most important factors driving the gap in retirement outcomes are related to the labour market with inequalities in pay and working patterns. Women are more likely to take career breaks than men and to work part-time in lower-paid jobs because of caring responsibilities. We have put in place practical support to help people with caring responsibilities return to work, and to support families to share caring responsibilities more evenly. This includes doubling the free childcare available in England for eligible working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds to 30 hours per week, and consulting on increasing the transparency of employers' flexible working and parental leave policies, and on high-level options for reforming parental leave and pay, to allow both parents to play a greater role in childcare.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 16/12/2020 16:18:06 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick

1259817

	registered interest
	date	09/12/2020
	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	Workplace Pensions: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to encourage women to resume workplace pension contributions following a period of (a) part-time work or (b) time out of working.
	tabling member constituency	Preston
	tabling member printed	Sir Mark Hendrick
	uin	127480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/12/2020 answer text <p>Automatic enrolment has hugely increased women’s pension participation, participation across all ethnic groups, and among lower earners. Among eligible women in the private sector, participation has increased from 40% in 2012 to 86% in 2019, equal to men.</p><p> </p><p>Automatic enrolment requires an employer to enrol eligible workers into a qualifying pension scheme when they start work or at the point they become eligible to be automatically enrolled due to a change in their circumstances, for example, by moving from part-time to full-time work. This ensures that workplace pension contributions would resume, in respect of women who increase their hours or re-join the labour market, if they meet the relevant earnings and other eligibility rules.</p><p> </p><p>The level of earnings at which workers are automatically enrolled into workplace pensions (the earnings trigger) is subject to an annual statutory review. An analysis of the equalities impact always forms part of the review, as does an assessment of reducing the trigger to the NI threshold. This review has concluded that the earnings trigger be frozen at £10,000 for every year since 2014-15; this has proportionately benefited women. Analysis for the 2020/21 thresholds showed that 75% of those made eligible by freezing the trigger were women, compared to 37% of the eligible group under the baseline proposals.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 16/12/2020 16:07:09 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick