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1002002

registered interest
date	05/11/2018
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: Separation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether there is provision in place to equalise universal credit entitlement when a couple separates.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	188012
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>When a couple separates and still require the support of Universal Credit they will claim separately and as such the two claimants will be treated as entirely separate claims and will have their entitlements and therefore award amounts treated accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>If an advance has been awarded to a couple and the couple subsequently separate, they will be equally liable to repay the advance.</p><p> </p><p>When a couple separates, and an advance has not been recovered from the associated benefit claim because the claim ends or there was no entitlement to that benefit, the outstanding balance is treated as if it were an overpayment. This would then be recoverable (as per Section 71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992) at the standard overpayment rate.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>After separation, if a couple have an overpayment for which they are both equally liable, the debt is apportioned equally. Once this apportionment has been done we will not reverse the split liability decision. Any debt for which only one member of a couple is liable will follow that person on separation.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 188013 188014 question first answered 16/11/2018 14:20:06 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1002003

registered interest
date	05/11/2018
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: Separation
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 takes to ensure that there is a fair division when recovering advance payments when a couple separate.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	188013
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>When a couple separates and still require the support of Universal Credit they will claim separately and as such the two claimants will be treated as entirely separate claims and will have their entitlements and therefore award amounts treated accordingly.</p><p> </p><p>If an advance has been awarded to a couple and the couple subsequently separate, they will be equally liable to repay the advance.</p><p> </p><p>When a couple separates, and an advance has not been recovered from the associated benefit claim because the claim ends or there was no entitlement to that benefit, the outstanding balance is treated as if it were an overpayment. This would then be recoverable (as per Section 71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992) at the standard overpayment rate.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>After separation, if a couple have an overpayment for which they are both equally liable, the debt is apportioned equally. Once this apportionment has been done we will not reverse the split liability decision. Any debt for which only one member of a couple is liable will follow that person on separation.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 188012 188014 question first answered 16/11/2018 14:20:06 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1002623

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much money her Department has spent promoting Access to Work in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18.
tabling member constituency	Battersea
tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
uin	188910
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>As part of our continued campaign, we are engaging with key influencers such as employers and health professionals, as well as claimants. We work with stakeholders and advisory groups to raise awareness of Access to Work and are working with Remploy and Ingeus to promote, and increase take up of the Mental Health Support Service. In addition, our Jobcentre partnership managers continue to engage with local stakeholders and partners to promote the support available. Access to Work is also promoted to a range of business leaders through the Disability Confident scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Most of the resource used for this activity, carried out by DWP staff or by partners, is not accounted for separately. In the three years specified, marketing spend on Access to Work was as listed below:</p><p> </p><p><strong>Year Spend</strong></p><p>2015/16 £3,960</p><p>2016/17 £13,457</p><p>2017/18 £17,635</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 16/11/2018 13:55:19 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1002625

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has taken steps to ensure that benefits claimants in financial hardship can obtain letters which are required to progress their claims from their GP without having to pay for such letters; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Ipswich
tabling member printed	Sandy Martin
uin	188914
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>We advise claimants not to seek additional evidence in support of their claim which they may be charged for, such as from GPs. Where an assessment provider determines that additional medical evidence from a GP could prove helpful they will request that evidence from the GP directly.</p><p> </p><p>GPs are obliged through their contract with NHS England to provide the assessment provider with medical evidence for Employment and Support Allowance free-of-charge. For Personal Independence Payment, we pay GPs a standard fee (currently £33.50) for completing a General Practitioner Factual Report.</p><p> </p><p>In the Government’s response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report on Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance Assessments we set out our commitment to continue improving the customer experience for both, including opportunities for better data sharing.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 15/11/2018 17:41:14 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4678 label Biography information for Sandy Martin

1002628

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is provided to Job Centre staff on the Equality Act 2010 duty to make reasonable adjustments to enable disabled people to progress their claims.
tabling member constituency	Ipswich
tabling member printed	Sandy Martin
uin	188915
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Comprehensive guidance for Jobcentre staff about the Equality Act 2010 is included on the Department’s intranet site ‘Equality and You – a guide for employees’. This includes advice for staff on understanding what reasonable adjustments are and why the Department has a duty to provide them for claimants who are disabled.</p><p>Where our customers advise us that they need assistance to access our services and information, we make reasonable adjustments to meet their individual needs. This means the Department communicates with customers in a variety of different formats such as Braille, audio, large print, through third party interpreters or by arranging for a member of staff to visit the customer in their home.</p><p>Service delivery teams within Jobcentres provide a professional and supportive environment for our customers, providing digital coaching, helping claimants set up their claims and also maintaining them.</p><p>Claimants who require additional support to complete a claim form have the option to book a one to one appointment with a member of the Service Delivery team to receive assistance. In addition telephony support is in place for those vulnerable claimants who cannot ‘self-serve’ online and where a claimant is unable to manage their own affairs, an appointee can act on their behalf, taking responsibility for making and maintaining any benefit claim.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 15/11/2018 17:33:55 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4678 label Biography information for Sandy Martin

1003688

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Billing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of contracts issued by his Department and contractors include provisions to impose, as between parties to the subcontract, that any payment due from the contractor to a subcontractor under the contract is to be made no later than the end of a period of 30 days from the date on which the relevant invoice is regarded as valid and undisputed, as required by the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	189570
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) standard and short form contractual Terms and Conditions ensure the department meets the requirements of the Public Contact Regulations 2015 by including clauses that a contractor shall pay the sub-contractor no later than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Authority has determined that the invoice is valid and undisputed. Since the introduction of the requirement in March 2015 the vast majority of DWP contracts include these provisions.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/11/2018 17:39:41 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1003893

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made on the Government's 10-year target of getting one million disabled adults into employment.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
uin	189737
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>We set out our continued commitment to improving employment rates for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions in <em>Improving Lives: the Future of Work, Health and Disability</em>. We believe people should get the support they need whatever their health condition or disability, whether that’s from their employer, from the health system or from the welfare system.</p><p> </p><p>We have invested in our Personal Support Package, which includes £330 million of funding over four years with a range of new interventions and initiatives designed to provide support that is tailored to the individual needs of claimants. We have recruited 300 additional Disability Employment Advisers and we are introducing 200 new Community Partners, bringing specialist advice and support into the Jobcentre.</p><p> </p><p>We are supporting employers to help them recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions through Disability Confident, the Access to Work scheme, and specialist advisers in Jobcentres.</p><p> </p><p>The number of working age disabled people in employment in the UK reached around 3.9 million in Q3 2018. This was an increase of 123,000 since Q3 2017.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 15/11/2018 17:19:29 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1005692

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Child Maintenance Service allocates an individual's payments first to their historical collection charges and then to their existing child maintenance liabilities.
tabling member constituency	East Lothian
tabling member printed	Martin Whitfield
uin	190514
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>On-going maintenance liability and current/existing collection charges will be satisfied before any historical collection charges.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/11/2018 17:01:25 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4626 label Biography information for Martin Whitfield

1005731

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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 her Department has made of the effect of universal credit on levels of rent arrears.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton North East
tabling member printed	Emma Reynolds
uin	190455
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>I refer the hon Member to the reply to Question 181577 on 29 October.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/11/2018 17:09:29 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4077 label Biography information for Emma Reynolds

1005733

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the UK will submit its next report on the International Labour Organization Convention 182; and whether that report will be published.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	190524
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK last submitted a report on ILO Convention 182 in 2016. As the reporting for the ILO’s fundamental Conventions is on a three-year cycle, we expect to submit our next report next year (2019). The UK’s reports to the ILO are not published. However, they are reflected in the response of the ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, as part of its annual report.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/11/2018 15:52:50 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1005734

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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, with reference to universal credit, what estimate she has made of the (a) proportion of claimants who apply for an advanced payment that are successful, (b) number of claimants who seek a deferred payment of three months when repaying an advanced payment and (c) proportion of claimants who receive an advanced payment and apply successfully for a deferred payment.
tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
tabling member printed	Ged Killen
uin	190525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>I refer the hon Member to the reply to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-10-08/176262/" target="_blank">176262</a> on 11 October.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/11/2018 15:46:06 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4672 label Biography information for Ged Killen

1005736

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the guidance issued by her Department on the thresholds for (a) financial hardship when a universal credit claimant applies for an advanced payment and (b) exceptional circumstances when a universal credit claimant with an advance payment applies for repayments to be delayed for up to three months.
tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
tabling member printed	Ged Killen
uin	190526
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Universal Credit guidance is published in the House of Commons Library and the Department is committed to refreshing the information on a regular basis.</p><p>New claimants to Universal Credit have always been able to apply for a Universal Credit Advance in their first month if they need financial support until their first regular payment of Universal Credit is made.</p><p>We have previously increased the maximum amount available for advances from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the total award, and increased the repayment period from 6 months to 12 months. Last month’s Autumn Budget 2018 extended - from October 2021 - the maximum period over which an advance can be recovered, from 12 to 16 months. From October 2019, we will also reduce the maximum rate at which deductions can be made from a Universal Credit award from 40% to 30% of the standard allowance</p><p>If during the recovery of an advance the claimant experiences an unforeseen expense that would cause them or their family genuine hardship if they were required to continue to repay the advance, then they can be offered a deferral period of the repayment of the advance of up to 3 months for a new claim, benefit transfer or change of circumstance advance and up to 6 months for a budgeting advance.</p><p>In addition Personal Budgeting Support (PBS) is also offered to Universal Credit claimants from the outset of their claim. PBS helps claimants as they transition to Universal Credit and adapt to the financial changes that Universal Credit brings. PBS can be online, telephone or face to face support. Face to face support is currently delivered through local authorities via Universal Support.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/11/2018 15:59:17 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4672 label Biography information for Ged Killen

1005737

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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 tendering process was used to commission Citizens Advice to provide Universal Support from April 2019.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	190527
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) were given a direct grant award for the full delivery of a Universal Support service for 12 months from April 2019 (while developing their service alongside Local Authorities up to 31 March 2019). A delivery review point is built into the Grant Agreement, at which point we will consider how the service is operating. The decision to award directly to CA and CAS is based on their position as a well-known and independent advice organisation. This partnership will ensure we are offering a consistent approach nationally for our most vulnerable customers.</p><p> </p><p>Grant funding for the delivery of Universal Support by Local Authorities will cease from April 2019, as will their obligation to deliver the service. CA and CAS are committed to providing a Universal Support service across all areas of England, Wales and Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>In taking the decision to award the grant to CA and CAS due regard was paid to the Department’s obligations.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 190528 190529 190530 190531 question first answered 15/11/2018 17:07:39 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1005738

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will place in the Library a copy of the methodology for selecting Citizens Advice to provide Universal Support.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	190528
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) were given a direct grant award for the full delivery of a Universal Support service for 12 months from April 2019 (while developing their service alongside Local Authorities up to 31 March 2019). A delivery review point is built into the Grant Agreement, at which point we will consider how the service is operating. The decision to award directly to CA and CAS is based on their position as a well-known and independent advice organisation. This partnership will ensure we are offering a consistent approach nationally for our most vulnerable customers.</p><p> </p><p>Grant funding for the delivery of Universal Support by Local Authorities will cease from April 2019, as will their obligation to deliver the service. CA and CAS are committed to providing a Universal Support service across all areas of England, Wales and Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>In taking the decision to award the grant to CA and CAS due regard was paid to the Department’s obligations.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 190527 190529 190530 190531 question first answered 15/11/2018 17:07:39 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1005739

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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 her Department has made of the effect of the transfer of provision of Universal Support to Citizens Advice on (a) local authority costs for providing and (b) local availability of Universal Support after April 2019.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	190529
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) were given a direct grant award for the full delivery of a Universal Support service for 12 months from April 2019 (while developing their service alongside Local Authorities up to 31 March 2019). A delivery review point is built into the Grant Agreement, at which point we will consider how the service is operating. The decision to award directly to CA and CAS is based on their position as a well-known and independent advice organisation. This partnership will ensure we are offering a consistent approach nationally for our most vulnerable customers.</p><p> </p><p>Grant funding for the delivery of Universal Support by Local Authorities will cease from April 2019, as will their obligation to deliver the service. CA and CAS are committed to providing a Universal Support service across all areas of England, Wales and Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>In taking the decision to award the grant to CA and CAS due regard was paid to the Department’s obligations.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 190527 190528 190530 190531 question first answered 15/11/2018 17:07:40 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1005740

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department carried out an equalities impact assessment on the transfer of the delivery of Universal Support from local authorities to Citizens Advice.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	190530
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) were given a direct grant award for the full delivery of a Universal Support service for 12 months from April 2019 (while developing their service alongside Local Authorities up to 31 March 2019). A delivery review point is built into the Grant Agreement, at which point we will consider how the service is operating. The decision to award directly to CA and CAS is based on their position as a well-known and independent advice organisation. This partnership will ensure we are offering a consistent approach nationally for our most vulnerable customers.</p><p> </p><p>Grant funding for the delivery of Universal Support by Local Authorities will cease from April 2019, as will their obligation to deliver the service. CA and CAS are committed to providing a Universal Support service across all areas of England, Wales and Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>In taking the decision to award the grant to CA and CAS due regard was paid to the Department’s obligations.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 190527 190528 190529 190531 question first answered 15/11/2018 17:07:40 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1005741

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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 her Department has made of the extent of geographical coverage provided by Citizens Advice for the delivery of Universal Support; and what progress Citizens Advice has made on plans to deliver Universal Support in areas with no local Citizens Advice service.
tabling member constituency	Dulwich and West Norwood
tabling member printed	Helen Hayes
uin	190531
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Citizens Advice (CA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) were given a direct grant award for the full delivery of a Universal Support service for 12 months from April 2019 (while developing their service alongside Local Authorities up to 31 March 2019). A delivery review point is built into the Grant Agreement, at which point we will consider how the service is operating. The decision to award directly to CA and CAS is based on their position as a well-known and independent advice organisation. This partnership will ensure we are offering a consistent approach nationally for our most vulnerable customers.</p><p> </p><p>Grant funding for the delivery of Universal Support by Local Authorities will cease from April 2019, as will their obligation to deliver the service. CA and CAS are committed to providing a Universal Support service across all areas of England, Wales and Scotland.</p><p> </p><p>In taking the decision to award the grant to CA and CAS due regard was paid to the Department’s obligations.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 190527 190528 190529 190530 question first answered 15/11/2018 17:07:40 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4510 label Biography information for Helen Hayes

1005743

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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: Christmas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans to revise the payment dates for universal credit payments over Christmas and new year to allow claimants whose specified payment date is on or after 25 December 2018 to be paid more than one working day in advance of 25 December 2018.
tabling member constituency	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
tabling member printed	Ged Killen
uin	190533
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The Department has extensive experience of paying claimants over holiday periods and we have also paid Universal Credit to significant numbers of claimants over previous Christmas periods.</p><p> </p><p>The Department will advance the timing of all payments for people affected by bank holidays, to make sure they have money over the festive period.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit payments due to be received on 24, 25 and 26 December will be paid no later than 21 December.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit payments due to be received on 30, 31 December and 1 January will receive payment no later than 31 December.</p><p> </p><p>This information is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/how-to-have-your-benefits-paid" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/how-to-have-your-benefits-paid</a></p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/11/2018 17:25:12 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4672 label Biography information for Ged Killen

1005762

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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: Easington
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many home visits to applicants for universal credit have been conducted by the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments in the Easington constituency for each year in which information is available.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
uin	190427
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not available.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 15/11/2018 16:37:35 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1005775

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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: Disqualification
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 suspend the sanctioning regime in universal credit areas until Jobcentre staff and claimants have a better understanding of the new system.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
uin	190428
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The sanctions system in its current form has been in place since 2012. Since then, we have created a range of learning products and training to ensure our staff understand sanctions and how they work in Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>We also provide claimants with sanctions information when they agree their Claimant Commitment, and we regularly remind them of the importance of meeting their commitments and the consequences of not doing so.</p><p><strong>__________________________________________________________________________</strong></p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/11/2018 16:06:57 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1005853

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Funeral Payments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her Department's policy is on supporting benefit claimants who must pay for the funeral of a family member; and if her Department will introduce an allowance for benefit claimants who must pay for the funeral of a family member to ensure that their benefit claims are not adversely affected.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	190493
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment scheme makes a contribution towards the cost of a funeral for people in receipt of certain income related benefits and tax credits. To qualify, the applicant must be accepted as responsible for arranging the funeral, they (or their partner) must receive one of the qualifying benefits and they must be the partner or a close relative or close friend of the deceased.</p><p> </p><p>The amount payable depends on whether there is any other money available, for example from the deceased’s estate. As the Payment is linked to the deceased’s assets, it does not adversely affect the applicant’s savings.</p><p> </p><p>The scheme offers support by meeting the ‘necessary costs’ of a cremation or burial, including acquiring a burial plot. An allowance of up to £700 is also available to meet other funeral costs such as a coffin, religious venue and funeral director fees.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/11/2018 09:55:33 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1005856

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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: Visual Impairment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with (a) sight loss or (b) a visual impairment that are new claimants of personal independence payments (PIP) did not receive an award during their initial PIP assessment but received an award at (a) mandatory reconsideration and (b) tribunal in each year since 2013.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
uin	190496
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Since Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was introduced 43,230 decisions have been made for people who have a primary disabling condition of visual disease up to June 2018. 10,960 people did not receive an award following their initial PIP assessment, 570 of these decisions were changed at mandatory reconsideration and 1,100 were overturned at tribunal.</p><p> </p><p>Detailed breakdowns by financial year can be found below. The year relates to the year of the initial decision; mandatory reconsiderations or appeals may have taken place in a different financial year to the initial decision.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial year</p></td><td><p>Decisions made</p></td><td><p>Failed initial assessment</p></td><td><p>Failed initial assessment - Changed at mandatory reconsideration</p></td><td><p>Failed initial assessment - Overturned at tribunal appeal</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>560</p></td><td><p>150</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>5,450</p></td><td><p>1,730</p></td><td><p>80</p></td><td><p>120</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>7,600</p></td><td><p>2,370</p></td><td><p>100</p></td><td><p>280</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>14,490</p></td><td><p>3,160</p></td><td><p>200</p></td><td><p>470</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>12,270</p></td><td><p>2,930</p></td><td><p>160</p></td><td><p>210</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>April to June 2018</p></td><td><p>2,860</p></td><td><p>620</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p /><p>Since PIP was introduced 3.5m decisions have been made for all health conditions up to June 2018, of these 9% have been appealed and 4% have been overturned.</p><p> </p><p>The data has been rounded to the nearest 10.</p><p> </p><p>Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer systems. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics. It is not possible to break down the condition of “visual disease” into sight loss or visual impairment from the data.</p><p> </p><p>The appeals may include decisions which are changed at mandatory reconsideration, and where the claimant continues to appeal for a higher PIP award, are then changed again at tribunal appeal.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 15/11/2018 16:37:30 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1005872

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Discretionary Housing Payments: North East Lincolnshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 5 November 2018 to Question 907432 on Housing Benefit, how much discretionary housing payment was (a) awarded to and (b) spent by North East Lincolnshire Council in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	190450
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The table below shows the amount awarded to and spent by North East Lincolnshire Council in Discretionary Housing Payments in the last 3 financial years:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Awarded</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Spent</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>£271,668</p></td><td><p>£119,060</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>£348,487</p></td><td><p>£109,704</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017/18</p></td><td><p>£466,303</p></td><td><p>£203,397</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Figures on the amount of Discretionary Housing Payments awarded to and spent by Local Authorities are available:</p><p><br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/discretionary-housing-payments-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/discretionary-housing-payments-statistics</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p /><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/11/2018 10:02:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1005874

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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	Discretionary Housing Payments: East Riding
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 5 November to Question 907432 on Housing Benefit, how much discretionary housing payment was (a) awarded to and (b) spent by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	190451
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The table below shows the amount awarded to and spent by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in Discretionary Housing Payments in the last 3 financial years:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Awarded</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Spent</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>£287,614</p></td><td><p>£297,778</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>£356,141</p></td><td><p>£330,201</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017/18</p></td><td><p>£473,423</p></td><td><p>£443,281</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Figures on the amount of Discretionary Housing Payments awarded to and spent by Local Authorities are available:</p><p><br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/discretionary-housing-payments-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/discretionary-housing-payments-statistics</a></p><p /> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/11/2018 10:15:57 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1005887

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
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 her Department has made of the effect on (a) the Post Office and (b) Postmaster pay of encouraging universal credit claimants to use a bank account to receive payments.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	190494
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The majority of claimants have their benefits paid into a bank account. As most bank accounts can be accessed at the Post Office, most claimants are able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. Sub-postmasters will continue to receive revenue from those transactions while maintaining footfall.</p><p> </p><p>In line with our wider policy on financial inclusion, we have always made it clear that payment into a bank, building society or credit union is the preferred way for Universal Credit to be paid. This reflects the vision for Universal Credit mirroring the world of work, where, for example, an employer requires a bank account for a salary to be paid into.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 15/11/2018 16:16:25 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows