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1639597

	registered interest
	date	23/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people who were in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance for children have had their applications to transfer to Personal Independence Payments on turning 16 refused since April 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	186297
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2023 answer text <p>The number of people who were in receipt of Child Disability Living Allowance (DLA) that had their application to transfer to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) refused on turning 16, from April 2013 to October 2022, can be found on <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Stat-Xplore</a>.  In particular, the requested data can be found by applying the following filters to the ‘Child DLA to PIP reassessments’ dataset:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Select the following dataset ‘Child DLA to PIP reassessment outcomes by month’; and</li><li>Filter for all ‘Disallowed’ outcomes in ‘PIP reassessment Outcomes’.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/dataCatalogueExplorer.xhtml" target="_blank">here</a>. An account is not required to use Stat- Xplore; the ‘Guest Login’ feature gives instant access to the main functions.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/06/2023 11:14:28 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1611725

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2023
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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, how many and what proportion of applications for Personal Independence Payments were initially denied and subsequently granted following a successful appeal in each month since April 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	181269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2023 answer text <p><strong>Number and proportion of PIP initial decisions that are initially disallowed and are successful following an appeal</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Date of initial PIP decision</p></td><td><p>Number of PIP initial decisions, initially disallowed that are successful following an appeal</p></td><td><p>Proportion of initial decisions, that were initially disallowed that were successful following an appeal</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr-22</p></td><td><p>1,180</p></td><td><p>2.0%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>May-22</p></td><td><p>850</p></td><td><p>1.5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jun-22</p></td><td><p>630</p></td><td><p>1.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jul-22</p></td><td><p>560</p></td><td><p>0.8%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Aug-22</p></td><td><p>410</p></td><td><p>0.6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sep-22</p></td><td><p>220</p></td><td><p>0.3%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>These figures include appeal decisions at tribunal hearing up to 31<sup>st</sup> December 2022, the latest date for which published data is available. Note that more appeals could be made and completed after December 2022, so numbers could go up as it can take some time for an appeal to be lodged and then cleared after the initial decision.</p><p> </p><p><br> Please note:</p><ul><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 and percentages to 1 decimal place.</li><li>Data for England and Wales (excluding Scotland) has been provided in line with the latest published figures on PIP.</li><li>These figures include initial decisions following assessment for PIP New Claims and Reassessments from 1<sup>st</sup> April 2022 – 30<sup>th</sup> September 2022, the latest data for which published data is available.</li><li>“Successful following an appeal” includes claims that had an appeal lapsed or overturned at tribunal.</li></ul><ul><li>The proportion figure uses the total PIP initial decisions for the relevant month as the denominator.</li></ul><ul><li>Prior to tribunal, appeal claimants must have requested a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) from DWP. Some of those disallowed following assessment will have their decision changed at this stage and take the dispute no further. In some cases, a claimant who has their Disallowed decision changed at MR will continue to appeal for a higher PIP award, and these cases could be included in the figures reported.</li></ul><ul><li>A lapsed appeal is where DWP changed the decision in the customer’s favour after an appeal was lodged, but before it was heard at a tribunal hearing.</li></ul> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 24/04/2023 16:32:41 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1521177

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many requests for reviews of existing awards of Personal Independence Payments her Department has received since 1 August 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	61770
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2022 answer text <p>The latest available data on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reviews initiated by the claimant, Change of Circumstances, can be found on <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Stat-Xplore</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The relevant data set is ‘PIP Award Review Registrations’, which can be filtered using the Intervention Indicator for Change of Circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html" target="_blank">here.</a></p> answering member constituency East Surrey answering member printed Claire Coutinho question first answered 17/10/2022 13:13:44 answering member 4806 label Biography information for Claire Coutinho
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1405323

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Public Appointments
	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 seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	109193
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2022 answer text <p>Candidates that reach interview stage for public appointments are asked to provide referees which are followed up by the Department.</p><p> </p><p>In line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, candidates are also asked to declare relevant interests which are discussed at interview stage.</p><p> </p><p>The Advisory Assessment Panel must satisfy itself that all candidates for appointment can meet the Seven Principles of Public Life and adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board members of Public Bodies.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 26/01/2022 15:38:09 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1343067

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many items of written correspondence from hon. Members sent to Ministers in her Department have been (a) received and (b) replied to since 1 April 2020; and how many of those responses were responded to by (i) Ministers and (ii) officials.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	25740
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2021 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office is currently compiling data on the timeliness of responses to Hon. and Rt Hon. members from Government Departments and Agencies. This data will be released, and made available to Members, in due course.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 06/07/2021 12:22:33 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1308677

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment: Pregnancy
	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 plans to take to ensure that all employers adhere to (a) the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and (b) guidance issued by the Government on pregnant workers during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	180419
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>Employers are required to carry out risk assessments for all pregnant workers and protect them from harm. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has guidance on managing the risks for pregnant workers. <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/index.htm" target="_blank">Protecting new and expectant mothers at work - HSE</a></p><p> </p><p>Employers have a legal duty, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations sec 16(4) to act in accordance with the results of their risk assessment for pregnant workers. Where employers are not doing so, workers can contact the HSE to raise their concerns which will be followed up.</p><p>HSE has specific guidance for employers to protect vulnerable workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, which includes the health and safety responsibilities for pregnant workers. <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm" target="_blank">Protect vulnerable workers - Working safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (hse.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 180416 180417 question first answered 19/04/2021 12:05:15 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1308471

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment: Pregnancy
	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 ensure that the Health and Safety Executive holds employers to account on the protection of pregnant workers.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	180417
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>Employers are required to carry out risk assessments for all pregnant workers and protect them from harm. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has guidance on managing the risks for pregnant workers. <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/index.htm" target="_blank">Protecting new and expectant mothers at work - HSE</a></p><p> </p><p>Employers have a legal duty, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations sec 16(4) to act in accordance with the results of their risk assessment for pregnant workers. Where employers are not doing so, workers can contact the HSE to raise their concerns which will be followed up.</p><p>HSE has specific guidance for employers to protect vulnerable workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, which includes the health and safety responsibilities for pregnant workers. <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm" target="_blank">Protect vulnerable workers - Working safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (hse.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 180416 180419 question first answered 19/04/2021 12:05:15 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1308470

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment: Pregnancy
	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 plans to take to ensure that employers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to the protection of pregnant workers.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	180416
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>Employers are required to carry out risk assessments for all pregnant workers and protect them from harm. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has guidance on managing the risks for pregnant workers. <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/index.htm" target="_blank">Protecting new and expectant mothers at work - HSE</a></p><p> </p><p>Employers have a legal duty, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations sec 16(4) to act in accordance with the results of their risk assessment for pregnant workers. Where employers are not doing so, workers can contact the HSE to raise their concerns which will be followed up.</p><p>HSE has specific guidance for employers to protect vulnerable workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, which includes the health and safety responsibilities for pregnant workers. <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm" target="_blank">Protect vulnerable workers - Working safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (hse.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 180417 180419 question first answered 19/04/2021 12:05:15 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1174329

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2020
	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	Pension Credit
	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 from the public purse has been spent on raising awareness of the availability of pension credit since June 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	9606
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Government wants to ensure that older people receive the support and help available to them. It is important to highlight that there are already 1.6 million people claiming some £5.4 billion in Pension Credit but some people may be missing out.</p><p> </p><p>We want to make sure that all pensioners eligible can claim the Pension Credit to which they are rightly entitled. That is why we are currently considering options for raising awareness of Pension Credit, including working with our stakeholders, to help dispel some of the misconceptions that people might have about Pension Credit eligibility. For example, we want to make it clear that having savings, a pension or owning a home are not automatic barriers to receiving Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Of course DWP continues to use a wide range of channels including information on <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>, in leaflets and by telephone to communicate information about benefits including Pension Credit to potential claimants. We target activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or Attendance Allowance or report a change in their circumstances which may mean that they could be eligible for Pension Credit. In addition, the Pension Credit calculator <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator</a> enables potential claimants to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive</p><p>We know that often the best ways to reach eligible pensioners is through trusted stakeholders working in the community. The Pension Credit toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p><br>Information on how much has been spent on raising awareness of the availability of pension credit since June 2019 is not available.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 9605 question first answered 03/02/2020 17:54:44 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1174327

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2020
	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	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how her Department has promoted Pension Credit since June 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	9605
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>The Government wants to ensure that older people receive the support and help available to them. It is important to highlight that there are already 1.6 million people claiming some £5.4 billion in Pension Credit but some people may be missing out.</p><p> </p><p>We want to make sure that all pensioners eligible can claim the Pension Credit to which they are rightly entitled. That is why we are currently considering options for raising awareness of Pension Credit, including working with our stakeholders, to help dispel some of the misconceptions that people might have about Pension Credit eligibility. For example, we want to make it clear that having savings, a pension or owning a home are not automatic barriers to receiving Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Of course DWP continues to use a wide range of channels including information on <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>, in leaflets and by telephone to communicate information about benefits including Pension Credit to potential claimants. We target activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or Attendance Allowance or report a change in their circumstances which may mean that they could be eligible for Pension Credit. In addition, the Pension Credit calculator <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator</a> enables potential claimants to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive</p><p>We know that often the best ways to reach eligible pensioners is through trusted stakeholders working in the community. The Pension Credit toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p><br>Information on how much has been spent on raising awareness of the availability of pension credit since June 2019 is not available.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 9606 question first answered 03/02/2020 17:54:44 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1172616

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	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	Jobcentres: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many computers are available for public use in Jobcentres in (a) each region of England and (b) the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	6616
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>The information requested is detailed below and is from internal DWP data which is correct at the time of this response.</p><p> </p><p>a) English regions</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of devices</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southern England</p></td><td><p>1380</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London &amp; Home Counties</p></td><td><p>1128</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Central</p></td><td><p>1214</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Northern England</p></td><td><p>2096</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>b) UK</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region (total)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of devices</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>5818</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>784</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>480</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><ul><li>The project that led on delivering our new PCs instructed offices to place the number of devices they have for replacement. However, some offices ordered a reduced number of devices based on capacity in the office and the need of customers at that time.</li><li>We closed a number of offices between 2017 and 2019. In the past twelve months, we have closed a further 9 sites and completed 7 co-locations and where those offices were co-located, DWP devices were not installed because PCs for public use were provided by the Local Authority or Third Party.</li></ul><p> </p><p>We also have improved access to our Wi-Fi services in all jobcentres, allowing customers to use their own personal devices to access internet services.</p><p> </p><p>We also constantly review the number of PC’s available for customers and have capacity to increase the number of devices quickly, if the need arises.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/01/2020 17:44:24 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1143938

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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 recent assessment she has made of the effect of the end on the Post Office Card Account on vulnerable people that use that service.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	285121
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department’s contract with Post Office Limited for the Post Office Card Account is due to end in 2021.</p><p>For vulnerable customers who are unable to open or operate a standard account, the Department will implement a replacement payment service.</p><p>Customer insight has influenced business requirements for the new service which outline the positive outcomes that must be achieved to ensure that the payment needs of individuals who are in a vulnerable situation are met. This includes the ability to obtain cash payments from a network of payment outlets in their local area (including suburban and rural locations).</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 05/09/2019 11:08:58 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1140856

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	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	Pensions
	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 plans to take to limit a person's pension age rise when age eligibility for the state pension is increased.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	280183
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/08/2019 answer text <p>The Government published its review of State Pension age in July 2017. The report can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630065/state-pension-age-review-final-report.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630065/state-pension-age-review-final-report.pdf</a>.</p><p>The next Government review of State Pension age will be completed within six years of that report.</p><p>The Pensions Act 2014 requires the Government to regularly review State Pension age and report to Parliament, to help to ensure the rules about State Pension age are appropriate having regard to life expectancy and the costs of increasing longevity are shared fairly between the generations, and provide greater clarity around the plans for changing State Pension age in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The changes to State Pension age became law following consultation and extensive debates in Parliament. During the passage of the Pensions Act 2011, Parliament introduced limits to person’s State Pension age rise, worth £1.1 billion, which reduced the proposed increase in State Pension age for over 450,000 men and women, meaning that no woman will see her pension age change by more than 18 months, relative to the original 1995 Act timetable.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 12/08/2019 10:22:41 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1137502

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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	Disability: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what specific qualifications are required to operate as a disability assessor for her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	274452
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Health Professionals that carry out Work Capability and Personal Independence Payment assessments on behalf of the department must have the following qualifications and experience:</p><p> </p><ul><li>are an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, doctor (or paramedic - PIP only)</li><li>fully registered with the relevant licensing body (doctors must have a licence to practise)</li><li>the licensing body has not placed any sanctions on the health professional's registration</li><li>at least 2 years post full registration experience or less than 2 years post full registration experience by specific agreement with the department.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Health Professionals are subject to a rigorous recruitment process followed by a comprehensive training programme in disability assessment for both physical and mental health conditions and have to be approved by the department. Health Professionals are then required to complete a programme of continuing professional development.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/07/2019 14:37:59 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1131301

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of additional claims that will be made for pension credit following the limiting of free TV licences to people aged over 75 claiming that benefit.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	263077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The BBC made its announcement about future eligibility of free TV licences on Monday 10 June. It is too early for an assessment of the potential impact on additional Pension Credit claims to be made. Official statistics on the take-up of income related benefits, including pension credit at general Great Britain level can be found in the ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2016 to 2017’ publication. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017</a></p><p>The Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href="https://gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://gov.uk/</a> , in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p>Potential customers can use the Pension Credit <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator</a> to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234.</p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible customers is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant organisations a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the recent changes for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 25/06/2019 13:34:48 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 123349 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1127850

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment: Learning Disability
	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 support employers in creating equal opportunities for people with learning disabilities in the workplace.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	256951
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Improving employment opportunities for people with a learning disability is a Government priority. We take a life course approach and are working with other Departments to tackle barriers to employment that start early in life. For example, we work with Department for Education on implementing the Maynard Task Force recommendations which help people with learning disabilities to access Apprenticeships. DWP is also testing ways to improve our support to this group, through initiatives like the Local Supported Employment proof of concept, which seeks to build our evidence base on how we can best help users of adult social care (many of whom have learning disabilities) to be able to work.</p><p> </p><p>Through Disability Confident, we are encouraging employers to offer more opportunities to disabled people, including people with a learning disability. Nearly 12,000 employers are signed up to the scheme and we recently announced our commitment to increase this number to 20,000 over the year.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work supports disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, who are in work or participating on Traineeships, apprenticeships or supported internships. Last year, record numbers of people with learning disabilities received support from Access to Work, with figures up 22% on 16/17.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is working with the Supported Business Alliance (SBA) and The British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) to:</p><ul><li>help them develop a new quality mark for supported businesses and</li><li>to develop a new long term element of Access to Work to continue support for those already working for a supported business, and help more disabled people to join them.</li></ul><p>This will help those with the most severe barriers to work, including people with learning disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing £40m in a new Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, which rolls out in late 2019 and is expected to benefit 10,000 people. It will provide highly personalised packages of employment support for disabled people, including those with a learning disability, who are at least a year away from moving into work.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 256950 question first answered 04/06/2019 14:00:20 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1127849

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment: Learning Disability
	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 ensure that people with learning disabilities are given (a) adequate support and (b) opportunities to hold down meaningful employment.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	256950
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Improving employment opportunities for people with a learning disability is a Government priority. We take a life course approach and are working with other Departments to tackle barriers to employment that start early in life. For example, we work with Department for Education on implementing the Maynard Task Force recommendations which help people with learning disabilities to access Apprenticeships. DWP is also testing ways to improve our support to this group, through initiatives like the Local Supported Employment proof of concept, which seeks to build our evidence base on how we can best help users of adult social care (many of whom have learning disabilities) to be able to work.</p><p> </p><p>Through Disability Confident, we are encouraging employers to offer more opportunities to disabled people, including people with a learning disability. Nearly 12,000 employers are signed up to the scheme and we recently announced our commitment to increase this number to 20,000 over the year.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work supports disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, who are in work or participating on Traineeships, apprenticeships or supported internships. Last year, record numbers of people with learning disabilities received support from Access to Work, with figures up 22% on 16/17.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is working with the Supported Business Alliance (SBA) and The British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) to:</p><ul><li>help them develop a new quality mark for supported businesses and</li><li>to develop a new long term element of Access to Work to continue support for those already working for a supported business, and help more disabled people to join them.</li></ul><p>This will help those with the most severe barriers to work, including people with learning disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing £40m in a new Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, which rolls out in late 2019 and is expected to benefit 10,000 people. It will provide highly personalised packages of employment support for disabled people, including those with a learning disability, who are at least a year away from moving into work.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 256951 question first answered 04/06/2019 14:00:20 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1077338

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Jobcentres: Computers
	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 19 February to Question 221633 on Jobcentres: Computers, how many JobPoints/JobKiosks were available for public use in each of the regions of England in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	225426
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not held.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 28/02/2019 16:35:48 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1061197

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Jobcentres: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many computers have been available for public use in Jobcenters in each region of England in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	221633
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is detailed below and is from internal DWP data which has not been quality assured to official statistical standards:</p><p> </p><p>Reliable data for the period 2010-2013 is not held.</p><p> </p><p>For the period 2014-2019 the number of devices * is detailed in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Region</p></td><td><p>Years 2014-2018</p></td><td><p>Number of devices</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southern</p></td><td rowspan="5"><p> </p></td><td><p>1101</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London &amp; Home Counties</p></td><td><p>1794</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Central</p></td><td><p>1553</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>1050</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>1263</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Region</p></td><td><p>Year: 2019</p></td><td><p>Number of devices</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southern</p></td><td rowspan="5"><p> </p></td><td><p>1044</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London &amp; Home Counties</p></td><td><p>1723</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Central</p></td><td><p>1462</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>992</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>1188</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>For 2019 the number of customer devices in jobcentres in England has reduced overall to 6409, due to the rationalisation of the DWP Estate. These figures include 44 new up to date customer devices which have been installed and are currently being trialled in 3 offices in England from 2019. This should result in all devices in England being replaced during 2019 with new bespoke machines designed to support the Universal Credit customer journey.</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p><strong>* </strong>A desktop computer available for public use, available for the majority of time with the exception of servicing and updates.</p><p> </p><p>These figures do not include “JobPoints/JobKiosks” that could be used by the public for job search activities and which were completely decommissioned by November 2014</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/02/2019 18:27:55 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1061195

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Jobcentres: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total number of computers available for public use in Jobcentres in England was in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	221632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is detailed below and is from internal DWP data which has not been quality assured to official statistical standards:</p><p /><p>Reliable data for the period 2010-2013 is not held.</p><p> </p><p>In 2014 national roll-out of customer devices* was completed by June 2014, with a total in England of 6761.</p><p> </p><p>Between 2015 and 2018 these devices were maintained in England at 6761.</p><p> </p><p>In 2019 the number of customer devices in jobcentres in England has reduced to 6409 due to the rationalisation of the DWP Estate. These figures include 44 new up to date customer devices which have been installed and are currently being trialled in 3 offices in England from 2019. This should result in all devices in England being replaced during 2019 with new bespoke machines designed to support the Universal Credit customer journey.</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p>* A desktop computer available for public use, available for the majority of time with the exception of servicing and updates.</p><p> </p><p>These figures do not include “JobPoints/JobKiosks” that could be used by the public for job search activities and which were completely decommissioned by November 2014.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/02/2019 18:10:01 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1005810

	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	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will a publish a list of newspapers in which adverts on the change to the state pension age for women were placed since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	190376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>As reported in the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee report; <em>Communication of state pension age changes</em>, published in March 2016, there were more than 600 mentions of state pension age equalisation in the national broadsheet and tabloid press between 1993 and 2006 – an average of just under one per week – on “front pages, News and City sections as well as personal finance pages”, and most concentrated “in 1993-95 and again from 2005-06”.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not have any records that suggest it has used paid newspaper advertising since 2010 specifically to advertise State Pension age changes.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 20/11/2018 18:02:03 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1005812

	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	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what date the first letters notifying recipients of the change in the state pension age for women were sent since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	190378
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>People can access the online ‘Check your State Pension’ service through GOV.UK to get a forecast of their State Pension. This includes information about their retirement date, how they may be able to improve the amount of State Pension they are entitled to, as well as providing a view of their National Insurance contribution record. Check Your State Pension service has provided more than ten million online estimates since its introduction in 2016.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The following tables show the number of letters sent out to those people born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960, affected by State Pension age increase in the 1995 and 2011 Pensions Acts. Letter volumes since 2010 can clearly be identified.</p><p>The volumes recorded in the second table have been rounded to the nearest 1000 and include mailings undertaken as part of a communications research project, and those sent to men who were also affected by the 2011 Act. It is not possible to provide the volumes sent to women only in relation to the 2011 Act, as we do not hold the information split by gender.</p><p> </p><p>Communication to those affected by the 1995 Act</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Customer’s date of birth</p></td><td><p>Mailing Date</p></td><td><p>Number of letters sent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/50 -05/07/50</p></td><td><p>April 2009</p></td><td><p>99,985</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/07/50 - 05/10/50</p></td><td><p>Jul 2009</p></td><td><p>96,356</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/50 - 05/04/51</p></td><td><p>Oct 2009</p></td><td><p>191,465</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/51- 05/10/51</p></td><td><p>Jan 2010</p></td><td><p>196,189</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/51 – 05/04/52</p></td><td><p>Apr 2010</p></td><td><p>188,515</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/52 – 05/10/52</p></td><td><p>Feb 2011</p></td><td><p>196,594</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/52 – 05/04/53</p></td><td><p>Mar 2011</p></td><td><p>191,665</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Communication to those affected by the 2011 Act</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Customer’s date of birth</p></td><td><p>Mailing Date</p></td><td><p>Number of letters sent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/53 – 05/12/53</p></td><td><p>Jan 2012</p></td><td><p>275,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/12/53 – 05/10/54</p></td><td><p>Feb 2012</p></td><td><p>646, 000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/54 – 05/04/55</p></td><td><p>Feb 2012</p></td><td><p>375, 000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/55 – 05/04/60</p></td><td><p>Oct 2012 – Nov 2013</p></td><td><p>4,475,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>To clarify, mailings undertaken as part of the communications research project have been included in the above table.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 190377 question first answered 20/11/2018 15:56:43 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1005811

	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	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many letters were sent notifying recipients of the change in the state pension age for women since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	190377
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>People can access the online ‘Check your State Pension’ service through GOV.UK to get a forecast of their State Pension. This includes information about their retirement date, how they may be able to improve the amount of State Pension they are entitled to, as well as providing a view of their National Insurance contribution record. Check Your State Pension service has provided more than ten million online estimates since its introduction in 2016.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The following tables show the number of letters sent out to those people born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960, affected by State Pension age increase in the 1995 and 2011 Pensions Acts. Letter volumes since 2010 can clearly be identified.</p><p>The volumes recorded in the second table have been rounded to the nearest 1000 and include mailings undertaken as part of a communications research project, and those sent to men who were also affected by the 2011 Act. It is not possible to provide the volumes sent to women only in relation to the 2011 Act, as we do not hold the information split by gender.</p><p> </p><p>Communication to those affected by the 1995 Act</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Customer’s date of birth</p></td><td><p>Mailing Date</p></td><td><p>Number of letters sent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/50 -05/07/50</p></td><td><p>April 2009</p></td><td><p>99,985</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/07/50 - 05/10/50</p></td><td><p>Jul 2009</p></td><td><p>96,356</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/50 - 05/04/51</p></td><td><p>Oct 2009</p></td><td><p>191,465</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/51- 05/10/51</p></td><td><p>Jan 2010</p></td><td><p>196,189</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/51 – 05/04/52</p></td><td><p>Apr 2010</p></td><td><p>188,515</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/52 – 05/10/52</p></td><td><p>Feb 2011</p></td><td><p>196,594</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/52 – 05/04/53</p></td><td><p>Mar 2011</p></td><td><p>191,665</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Communication to those affected by the 2011 Act</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Customer’s date of birth</p></td><td><p>Mailing Date</p></td><td><p>Number of letters sent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/53 – 05/12/53</p></td><td><p>Jan 2012</p></td><td><p>275,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/12/53 – 05/10/54</p></td><td><p>Feb 2012</p></td><td><p>646, 000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/10/54 – 05/04/55</p></td><td><p>Feb 2012</p></td><td><p>375, 000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>06/04/55 – 05/04/60</p></td><td><p>Oct 2012 – Nov 2013</p></td><td><p>4,475,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>To clarify, mailings undertaken as part of the communications research project have been included in the above table.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 190378 question first answered 20/11/2018 15:56:43 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1003624

	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	HSBC: Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received on the HSBC Midland Bank pension clawback; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	189598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2018 answer text <p><strong>Successive governments including the Labour government 1997-2010, Coalition and present Conservative government have had a consistent position on this issue.</strong> The Department for Work and Pensions receives a number of written representations on the Midland Pension Scheme, which is now part of the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme, about its integrated pension (or claw-back) policy from individuals and from Members of Parliament writing on their behalf, as it does on many issues.</p><p> </p><p>The Governments position on this issue was set out in response to a written parliamentary question on this subject, which can be accessed here.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-11-13/112544/" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-11-13/112544/</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/11/2018 17:12:58 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

946793

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2018
	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	UNUM
	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 18 June 2018 to Question 153210 on UNUM, which organisations are authorised to award local contracts under the low value procurement process.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	167163
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2018 answer text <p>Low Value Provision (LVP) requires that all providers who wish to be considered for providing LVP training must be registered on a central database within ‘Basware’. When providers register on ‘Basware’, they state the training they can deliver and the locations in which they can deliver.</p><p>A list of fully registered, part registered and those providers whose registration has expired is held centrally and updated each week. There are currently over 9000 providers on the list. UNUM Provident are not currently listed as a local provider. To identify all organisations could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 04/09/2018 13:53:44 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

923423

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2018
	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	UNUM
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has any commercial relationship with Unum Provident.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	153210
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2018 answer text <p>DWP does not have a national commercial relationship with Unum Provident, however at a local level through the Low Value Procurement process there may be local contracts. To identify these would require a search of local provision and could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 18/06/2018 14:39:41 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

637220

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2016
	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 Rented Housing: Housing Benefit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse has been of Government legal action in respect of the case brought by the Rutherford family on the spare room subsidy.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	53044
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2016 answer text <p>The case brought by the Rutherford family was heard with six other cases, therefore separate figures for individual cases are not available. The legal costs (to 9 November 2016) of the Supreme Court proceedings for Rutherford and the other joined cases are £206,841.65.</p><p>The total legal costs of the High Court proceedings for Rutherford and the Court of Appeal proceedings for “A” and Rutherford are £91,772.28.</p><p>These figures include VAT where payable (for example on Counsel’s fees) and disbursements but does not include costs attributable to time spent by Government advisory lawyers, as time spent by such advisory lawyers is not recorded in a manner that allows it to be attributable to individual cases.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 18/11/2016 10:02:46 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

487112

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2016
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Jobseeker's Allowance: Disqualification
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the top five reasons were for imposing sanctions on jobseeker's allowance claimants in each year for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	32501
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>The available information for the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance sanction decisions, by referral reason, is published and can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 11/04/2016 12:36:47 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

487127

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2016
	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: Disqualification
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the value was of (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) employment and support allowance sanctions imposed by his Department in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	32546
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2016 answer text <p>The Department does not make an estimate of the value of benefit withdrawn as a result of benefit sanctions.</p> answering member constituency Witham answering member printed Priti Patel question first answered 11/04/2016 10:51:59 answering member 4066 label Biography information for Priti Patel
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

438122

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2015
	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	Food Banks
	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 10 December 2015 to Question 18925, which visits referred to that (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department made included a visit to a food bank.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	19845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2015 answer text <p>The Department does not hold the information requested. Ministers have conducted visits to food banks in various capacities, including in their roles as Members of Parliament.</p><p><strong></strong></p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 17/12/2015 13:51:13 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

435964

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2015
	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	Food Banks
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the (a) location and (b) dates of visits he has made to food banks since May 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	18925
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2015 answer text <p>DWP Ministers have visited a number of third sector organisations, faith groups, civil society organisations and charities, including food banks since May 2010.</p><br /> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 10/12/2015 15:39:20 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

155586

	registered interest
	date	11/11/2014
	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	Members: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will arrange for his Department's Permanent Secretary to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Cardiff West concerning Mr Robert Shafer.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	214331
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Permanent Secretary wrote to the hon. Member on 12 November 2014.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 17/11/2014 13:49:52 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

89890

	registered interest
	date	26/08/2014
	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	Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the operation of the under-occupancy penalty so that it applies only when suitable alternative accommodation is readily available.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	905118
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The removal of the spare room subsidy remains government policy. There are no plans to amend this.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 01/09/2014 16:35:20 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1355700

	registered interest
	date	15/09/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Employment Tribunals Service: Maternity Rights and Pregnancy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will implement the Equality and Human Rights Commission's recommendation to extend the time limit for cases involving pregnancy and maternity discrimination to be brought to an employment tribunal from three to six months.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	49962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/09/2021 answer text <p>Individuals who experience pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace can access justice through an Employment Tribunal, under the Equality Act 2010. While the time limit for bringing a claim is three months, tribunals have the discretion to provide extensions where they consider it ‘just and equitable’ to do so.</p><p>The Government Equalities Office consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace recently considered the impact of the three month time limit where it applies to Equality Act based cases, including pregnancy and maternity discrimination. In our July 2021 response to that consultation, we committed to keep extending the limit under review.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 22/09/2021 08:47:57 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1285454

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Pregnancy: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent representations she has received on the effect of Government policies on pregnant women during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	912147
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2021 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-01-13/910500" target="_blank">910500</a> on 13 January.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 10/02/2021 15:24:23 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1276116

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Pregnancy: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent representations she has received on the effect of Government policy on pregnant women during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	910500
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2021 answer text <p>The Government knows that the pandemic has been hard for pregnant women, their partners and their families. The NHS continues to work hard to support and care for women safely through pregnancy, birth and the period afterwards, during this pandemic.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 13/01/2021 17:30:26 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1650231

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2023
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Rented Housing: Wales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of increases in mortgage interest rates on rental costs in Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	905730
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2023 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Wales and I engage with colleagues across government on a range of issues.</p><p>We recognise this is a concerning time for renters and those with mortgages. Whilst mortgage interest rates are a commercial decision for lenders, we expect lenders to treat all borrowers fairly. Buy-to-let borrowers facing financial difficulties should contact their lender to discuss the options available to them.</p> answering member constituency Vale of Clwyd answering member printed Dr James Davies question first answered 05/07/2023 12:48:49 answering member 4476 label Biography information for Dr James Davies
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1344082

	registered interest
	date	06/07/2021
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Wales Office: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many items of written correspondence from hon. Members sent to Ministers of his Department have been (a) received and (b) replied to since 1 April 2020; and how many of those responses were responded to by (i) Ministers and (ii) officials of his Department.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	28082
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2021 answer text <p>The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales has received 90 items of correspondence from honourable Members since 1 April 2020; 69 of these items were responded to by Minister David TC Davies and myself, and 19 were answered by other Government Departments. Two items of correspondence are yet to be answered.</p> answering member constituency Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire answering member printed Simon Hart question first answered 12/07/2021 09:20:00 answering member 3944 label Biography information for Simon Hart
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

692652

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2017
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Cardiff Airport: Railway Stations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers of the Welsh Government on the building of a train station at Cardiff Airport.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	64911
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2017 answer text <p>I have had a range of discussions with the Welsh Government around supporting Cardiff Airport in which access forms part of those discussions.</p> answering member constituency Vale of Glamorgan answering member printed Alun Cairns question first answered 24/02/2017 14:57:19 answering member 4086 label Biography information for Alun Cairns
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

225031

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2015
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Exports
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the First Minister on promoting exports by Welsh businesses.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	907777
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2015 answer text <p>Welsh exports have increased by almost a third since the beginning of 2010, a clear demonstration of the success of this Government’s long-term economic plan to rebalance the Welsh economy.</p><p>I welcome the Welsh Government’s move to work more collaboratively with the UK Government on exports, and the First Minister’s recognition of the vital and important role the UKTI plays.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Preseli Pembrokeshire answering member printed Stephen Crabb question first answered 04/03/2015 15:11:56 answering member 1554 label Biography information for Stephen Crabb
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1506535

	registered interest
	date	20/09/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Royal Mint: Non-fungible Tokens
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department's announcement entitled Government sets out plan to make UK a global cryptoasset technology hub, published on 4 April 2022, what recent progress his Department has made on working with the Royal Mint to create a non-fungible token.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	51454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2022 answer text <p>The government can confirm that discussions with the Royal Mint on the creation of a non-fungible token are ongoing.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 23/09/2022 05:18:06 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1490392

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Cryptocurrencies: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, (b) the Gambling Commission and (c) the Financial Conduct Authority on the regulation of crypto-based products and services.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	38529
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2022 answer text <p>Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.</p><p> </p><p>The Cryptoasset Taskforce, comprising HM Treasury, the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), continues to monitor ongoing development in cryptoasset markets, and is taking forward a range of regulatory measures to mitigate market integrity risks, protect consumers and support innovation in the cryptoasset market.</p><p> </p><p>Since January 2020, cryptoasset firms operating in the UK have been subject to the Money Laundering Regulations. To protect consumers, on 18 January 2022, the government set out its intention to legislate later this year to bring certain cryptoassets into financial promotion regulation. This would ensure that relevant cryptoasset promotions are held to the same high standards for fairness, clarity and accuracy that exist in the financial services industry. Additionally, on the 20 July, the government introduced the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which includes a measure allowing HM Treasury to bring stablecoins, where used as a means of payment, within the UK regulatory perimeter.</p><p> </p><p>The government has committed to consult later this year on the broader regulation of cryptoassets.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Richard Fuller question first answered 22/07/2022 08:46:12 answering member 3912 label Biography information for Richard Fuller
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1415948

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2022
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Treasury: Public Appointments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department seeks references for candidates appointed to public positions which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	110259
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2022 answer text <p>All regulated public appointments are made in line with the process and principles set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments and regulated by an independent Commissioner.</p><p> </p><p>Due diligence inquiries are carried out, and references requested where appropriate during the recruitment process. Some of Treasury’s Public appointment roles are also subject to scrutiny by the Treasury Committee.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 27/01/2022 16:03:49 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1363435

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Music Venues: Business Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing business rates for live music venues.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	63658
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2021 answer text <p>At Autumn Budget 2021, the Government announced a new temporary relief worth almost £1.7 billion for eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses in England to support local high streets as they adapt and recover. Eligible properties, which will be confirmed in guidance shortly, will receive up to 50 per cent off their rates bill, subject to a £110,000 cash cap per business. This builds on over £16 billion of support already provided to these high street sectors during the pandemic.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 29/10/2021 12:55:20 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1363436

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tickets: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the 5 per cent rate of VAT on ticket sales for a further three years.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	63659
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2021 answer text <p>The temporary reduced rate of VAT was introduced on 15 July 2020 to support the cash flow and viability of around 150,000 businesses and protect over 2.4 million jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors. As announced at Spring Budget 2021, the Government has extended the temporary reduced 5 per cent rate of VAT for the tourism and hospitality sectors. This relief ended on 30 September 2021. On 1 October 2021, a new reduced rate of 12.5 per cent was introduced to help ease affected businesses back to the standard rate. This new rate will end on 31 March 2022.</p><p> </p><p>This relief has previously been costed at over £7 billion, but the latest forecast means it may now cost over £8 billion. Whilst all taxes are kept under review, there are no plans to extend this relief. The Government has been clear that this relief is a temporary measure designed to support the sectors that have been severely affected by COVID-19. It is appropriate that as restrictions are lifted and demand for goods and services in these sectors increases, the temporary tax reliefs are first reduced and then removed to rebuild and strengthen the public finances.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 29/10/2021 12:53:17 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1308449

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	SME Brexit Support Fund
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits to businesses of the SME Brexit Support Fund.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	180415
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2021 answer text <p>The £20 million SME Brexit fund enables traders to access practical support, including training for new customs, rules of origin and VAT processes. It allows smaller businesses to apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU. Small and medium-sized enterprises can also use this money to seek professional advice in these areas.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 21/04/2021 13:51:50 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1308448

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Music: SME Brexit Support Fund
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether small and medium sized enterprises trading in the music industry are eligible to apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	180414
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>Small and medium-sized enterprises that were trading with the EU prior to 1 January are eligible for the SME Brexit Support Fund if they were only trading with the EU and therefore need to adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 19/04/2021 14:38:16 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1308674

	registered interest
	date	13/04/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 April 2021 to Question 174736, on Members: Correspondence, how many of the 26,709 responses to written correspondence from Members of Parliament were responded to by (a) Ministers and (b) officials.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	180418
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2021 answer text <p>It is not possible to provide the breakdown the Member has requested.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 19/04/2021 11:43:42 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1305610

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many items of written correspondence from Members of Parliament Treasury Ministers have (a) received and (b) replied to since April 1 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	174736
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>Members of Parliament have written to HM Treasury 36,791 times between 1 April 2020 and 24 March 2021. This represents a sharp increase on 2019, whereby Members of Parliament wrote to HM Treasury 7,386 times.</p><p> </p><p>Of the 36,791 pieces of written correspondence, 26,709 have been responded to and 6,584 have been transferred to other Government departments to answer. The remaining pieces of correspondence are ongoing or required no response.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 13/04/2021 07:22:06 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1287508

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Business Rates: Tax Allowances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on extending business rates relief into the 2021-22 financial year.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	154802
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/02/2021 answer text <p>The Government has invited representations from stakeholders on various aspects of the business rates system through the fundamental review of business rates.</p><p> </p><p>This year, due to the direct adverse effects of COVID-19, the Government has provided an unprecedented business rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth over £10 billion. The Government has also frozen the business rates multiplier for all businesses for 2021-22. Business rates are devolved in Wales, and so any reliefs are a matter for the Welsh Government.</p><p> </p><p>The Budget will set out the next phase of the Government’s plans to tackle the virus, protect jobs and support business.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman grouped question UIN 155351 question first answered 24/02/2021 16:17:57 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan