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1092283

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	Access to Work Programme: Finance
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 allocate more funding towards Access to Work.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	234861
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>ATW is demand led, so funding reflects the numbers of applicants and their needs.</p><p> </p><p>In 17/18 Access to Work made payments to 33,860 people (up 13% on 16/17) and £110.8m was spent on grants, which is a 4% increase in real terms expenditure compared to 16/17. The highest ever number of people with disabilities and health conditions are receiving tailored and flexible support to do their job.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 15:54:04 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1092190

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	Department for Work and Pensions: Consultants
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many consultants her Department has hired since 2016; and what the cost of that hiring was to the public purse.
tabling member constituency	Bootle
tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
uin	234812
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions has spent the below amounts on Consultancy contracts since 2016, falling within the associated financial years. These figures may include other associated costs.</p><p /><p>2018/19 (to Feb): £25.0 Million *</p><p>2017/18: £34.9 Million</p><p>2016/17: £36.1 Million</p><p>2015/16: £10.6 Million</p><p> </p><p>*in year spend is subject to classification and validation at year end, and then incorporation into the Department’s published accounts.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2016 we have been working to enable specific activities associated with DWP transformation programmes on welfare delivery and transformation of the DWP digital infrastructure, where DWP has exited long-term contracts in line with Cabinet Office directives. Each consultancy contract with a Supplier will vary in the number of consultants deployed under it, relevant to the size, scale and complexity of the work required. This will include a variety of specialist supplier staff that can be engaged on numerous projects for the Supplier at any one time.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not hold information as to the total number of consultants used under these consultancy engagements.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 17:57:04 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1089454

registered interest
date	15/03/2019
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	Disability: Cost of Living
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 report entitled the Disability Price Tag 2019, published by Scope in February 2019, what assessment she has made of the extra costs incurred by disabled people; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Southend West
tabling member printed	Sir David Amess
uin	232967
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>We recognise that there are extra costs faces by those with long term health conditions and disabilities. That is why the Department provides a financial contribution towards those disability-related costs through Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. We will be spending over £26 billion on the extra costs disability benefits next year (2019/20), part of the over £55 billion spending on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions. Benefit provision is in addition to the wide range of additional support people with health conditions and disabilities may receive including from Local Authorities or the National Health Service.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 16:07:15 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	44 label Biography information for Sir David Amess

1090973

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Occupational Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to encourage the uptake of occupational health schemes among employers.
tabling member constituency	Mansfield
tabling member printed	Ben Bradley
uin	233596
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government wants to see employers of all sizes create healthy workplaces where people can thrive. We will consult this year on measures to encourage and support all employers to play their part and to improve access to occupational health.</p><p> </p><p>Advice from an Occupational Health Expert Group is helping shape proposals. We have also commissioned research to better understand the current market supply and delivery structures of OH provision and its operation. Findings are due to be published in 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Tax incentives are currently available to employers to encourage investment in employee health and wellbeing, including relief for employer-funded medical treatment up to £500 where there has been a recommendation from an occupational health professional and the employee has been absent for 28 days.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 17:24:50 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4663 label Biography information for Ben Bradley

1092138

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: Appeals
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 Answer of 23 November 2017 to Question 113562 on Personal Independence Payment: Appeals, if it remains the Government's intention that Presenting Officers attend 50 per cent of personal independence and employment and support allowance tribunals.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	234794
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&amp;max=20&amp;questiontype=AllQuestions&amp;house=commons%2clords&amp;uin=229226" target="_blank">229226</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The Department’s main objective is to ensure that Presenting Officers (POs) attend hearings of those complex cases where their presence will be of most benefit to the tribunal in reaching the right decision. The 50% attendance figure was an aspiration based on a set of assumptions made when the Department originally began recruiting additional POs. As POs became established their remit adapted to focus on complex cases; but they also needed to be trained in presenting Universal Credit work capability assessment appeals, as the replacement for ESA. So whilst the initial aspiration has not been met, critically PO attendance for these types of cases has nevertheless been high and will continue to be so in the future.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 14:53:40 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1092189

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: Dementia
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 dementia have had a personal independence payment re-assessment in each year since 2015.
tabling member constituency	Oldham East and Saddleworth
tabling member printed	Debbie Abrahams
uin	234734
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>The table below shows the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reassessments, comprising of award reviews and changes of circumstances reviews for claimants who had a main disabling condition of Dementia at the point a decision was made in each financial year from April 2015 to October 2018.</p><p> </p><p>The figures below represent the number of claims, not the number of people that have had an Award Review or Change of Circumstances Review; and shows only the first Award Review for each claim.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Table 1: Breakdown of award reviews and changes of circumstances Reviews by Financial Year for PIP claimants with Dementia.</strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Award Review</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Changes of Circumstances</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>290</p></td><td><p>110</p></td><td><p>400</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>800</p></td><td><p>250</p></td><td><p>1,050</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017/18</p></td><td><p>960</p></td><td><p>300</p></td><td><p>1,270</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018/19*</p></td><td><p>590</p></td><td><p>220</p></td><td><p>800</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2,640</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>880</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>3,520</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>*Covers April 2018-October 2018 only.</p><p>Source: PIP ADS</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><ul><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Components may not sum to totals due to rounding.</li><li>Main disabling condition is as recorded on the PIP Computer System (PIPCS) at time of award review or change of circumstances decision. Claimants' main disabling condition may have changed since their original claim was successful. Claimants may have multiple disabling conditions in which case only the main disabling condition, as decided at assessment, is recorded.</li><li>Definition of award review: The claimant reached their scheduled review date and the Department has sent them a PIP2 form (prior to 25<sup>th</sup> June 2016) or an AR1 form (post 25<sup>th</sup> June 2016). Only one Award review registration per review date is included in this data.</li><li>Definition of change of circumstances: The claimant informed the Department of a change in their circumstances which may lead to a change in award. The claimant has been sent a PIP2 form (if Normal Rules).</li><li>Award reviews and change of circumstances which are subsequently cancelled by the DWP are excluded.</li><li>Data includes cases which were originally new claims or DLA to PIP reassessments and claims made under both Normal Rules and Special Rules for Terminally Ill people.</li><li>A financial year starts on 1<sup>st</sup> April and concludes on 31<sup>st</sup> March the following calendar year.</li><li>Great Britain only.</li></ul><ul><li>This is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and it may be subject to future revision.</li></ul> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 15:10:39 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4212 label Biography information for Debbie Abrahams

1090987

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending to all people with later stage (a) degenerative and (b) non-curable conditions the ceasing of repeat assessments for personal independence payment; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Cheltenham
tabling member printed	Alex Chalk
uin	233608
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>Once someone has been awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which can be paid at one of eight rates, that award will be reviewed. Reviews of PIP are a key part of the benefit to ensure that awards remain correct where needs may change (including where needs increase and the award may need to increase) and that we maintain contact with the claimant, both features that are missing from its predecessor Disability Living Allowance. The length of an award is based on an individual’s circumstances and can vary from nine months to an on-going award, with a light touch review after ten years.</p><p> </p><p>We introduced updated guidance for case managers and an updated PIP Assessment Guide in 2018 which will ensure that those people who receive the highest level of support under PIP, and where their needs are unlikely to change or may get worse, will now receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at the ten-year point. In line with PIP’s aim to be needs-based rather than condition-based, the change to the guidance is not condition specific. However, we believe the changes will ensure that those with severe and/or progressive conditions receive the most appropriate award duration that reflects their condition and the needs arising.</p><p> </p><p>Special considerations also apply to claimants who are terminally ill, and our arrangements recognise the particular difficulties faced by people who only have a short time to live. Claims by people with a terminal illness are fast tracked, are not subject to a face-to-face assessment and they are guaranteed the enhanced rate of the Daily Living Component; nearly all also receive the enhanced rate of mobility.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 234096 234097 question first answered 25/03/2019 17:26:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk

1091386

registered interest
date	19/03/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons people with progressively deteriorating conditions are subject to repeat personal independence payment assessments.
tabling member constituency	West Bromwich West
tabling member printed	Mr Adrian Bailey
uin	234096
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>Once someone has been awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which can be paid at one of eight rates, that award will be reviewed. Reviews of PIP are a key part of the benefit to ensure that awards remain correct where needs may change (including where needs increase and the award may need to increase) and that we maintain contact with the claimant, both features that are missing from its predecessor Disability Living Allowance. The length of an award is based on an individual’s circumstances and can vary from nine months to an on-going award, with a light touch review after ten years.</p><p> </p><p>We introduced updated guidance for case managers and an updated PIP Assessment Guide in 2018 which will ensure that those people who receive the highest level of support under PIP, and where their needs are unlikely to change or may get worse, will now receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at the ten-year point. In line with PIP’s aim to be needs-based rather than condition-based, the change to the guidance is not condition specific. However, we believe the changes will ensure that those with severe and/or progressive conditions receive the most appropriate award duration that reflects their condition and the needs arising.</p><p> </p><p>Special considerations also apply to claimants who are terminally ill, and our arrangements recognise the particular difficulties faced by people who only have a short time to live. Claims by people with a terminal illness are fast tracked, are not subject to a face-to-face assessment and they are guaranteed the enhanced rate of the Daily Living Component; nearly all also receive the enhanced rate of mobility.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 233608 234097 question first answered 25/03/2019 17:26:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	320 label Biography information for Mr Adrian Bailey

1091388

registered interest
date	19/03/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations
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 ensure that people with progressively deteriorating conditions do not receive reduced support from her Department following repeat personal independence payment assessments.
tabling member constituency	West Bromwich West
tabling member printed	Mr Adrian Bailey
uin	234097
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>Once someone has been awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which can be paid at one of eight rates, that award will be reviewed. Reviews of PIP are a key part of the benefit to ensure that awards remain correct where needs may change (including where needs increase and the award may need to increase) and that we maintain contact with the claimant, both features that are missing from its predecessor Disability Living Allowance. The length of an award is based on an individual’s circumstances and can vary from nine months to an on-going award, with a light touch review after ten years.</p><p> </p><p>We introduced updated guidance for case managers and an updated PIP Assessment Guide in 2018 which will ensure that those people who receive the highest level of support under PIP, and where their needs are unlikely to change or may get worse, will now receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at the ten-year point. In line with PIP’s aim to be needs-based rather than condition-based, the change to the guidance is not condition specific. However, we believe the changes will ensure that those with severe and/or progressive conditions receive the most appropriate award duration that reflects their condition and the needs arising.</p><p> </p><p>Special considerations also apply to claimants who are terminally ill, and our arrangements recognise the particular difficulties faced by people who only have a short time to live. Claims by people with a terminal illness are fast tracked, are not subject to a face-to-face assessment and they are guaranteed the enhanced rate of the Daily Living Component; nearly all also receive the enhanced rate of mobility.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 233608 234096 question first answered 25/03/2019 17:26:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	320 label Biography information for Mr Adrian Bailey

1092273

registered interest
date	20/03/2019
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	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, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the effect of the franchise of crown post offices to WHSmith on people who receive and access their welfare and pensions from a Post Office card account.
tabling member constituency	Oldham East and Saddleworth
tabling member printed	Debbie Abrahams
uin	234759
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>The DWP will continue to maintain Post Office card accounts until 2021 and anyone affected after this date will be able to access their money via a suitable banking product that they are able to open themselves. Most bank accounts are available over the counter at Post Office branches and supportive messages are used to signpost customers and encourage them to continue collecting their money at the Post Office. Where this is not possible, the DWP will provide a suitable replacement service after this date.</p><p /><p>The DWP has a contract in place with Post Office Limited to provide access to Post Office card accounts throughout its network of branches and ATM’s, this includes some retail outlets. The contract ensures that Post Office card account users have reasonable access to their benefit and pension payments.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 25/03/2019 15:34:16 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4212 label Biography information for Debbie Abrahams