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1109510

	registered interest
	date	03/04/2019
	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	Poverty: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the benefit freeze on child poverty rates.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	240462
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>An Impact Assessment of the benefit freeze was published in 2015. The Welfare Reforms such as the benefit freeze were designed to incentivise parents to choose to move into and progress in work. Evidence shows that work is the best route out of poverty. Children in workless households are five time more likely to be in poverty than those in households where all adults were working.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 08/04/2019 10:56:13 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1110573

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	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	Universal Credit: Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that universal credit adequately supports social housing tenants paying rent weekly to meet their obligations in relation to the 53 week year.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	242667
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2019 answer text <p>No year contains 53 weeks. This perceived issue of their being 53 weeks in a year arises where a landlord charges rent weekly on a Monday and, because of the way the calendar falls every 5 or 6 years, seeks 53 rent payments in a year, with the 53rd payment in part covering the tenancy for the first few days of the following year.</p><p>Universal Credit payments are designed to mirror the world of work, with monthly payments reflecting the way many working people are paid. This model of monthly payments allows claimants to take responsibility for budgeting their own income and helps prepare them for getting back to work. The Money and Pension Service can provide debt advice and money guidance to claimants if they need support managing their monthly Universal Credit payments.</p><p>We are aware of a separate issue with respect to the way the calculation in the Universal Credit regulations converts a weekly liability into a monthly allowance. The conversion is achieved by multiplying the weekly rent by 52 and then dividing by 12. This effectively means one day’s rent a year (two days in a leap years) are not covered by UC. We are currently considering whether this formulation around weekly rents, and potentially other weekly amounts in the UC calculation, should be amended.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 15/04/2019 14:48:11 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1121768

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2019
	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	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to change her Department’s policy on consent requirements for authorised representatives to act on behalf of claimants of universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	245555
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>We have had a number of workshops with stakeholders during which consent has been discussed, and we plan to do further work on explicit consent. This activity will include working with claimants and their representatives to ensure the process works effectively for vulnerable claimants to access the service.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 25/04/2019 10:32:29 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1037245

	registered interest
	date	07/01/2019
	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	Candidates: Females
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what plans she has to encourage more women to stand for elected office.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	205804
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2019 answer text <p>One of our aims for the Women’s Suffrage Centenary was to ensure more women participate in politics and decision-making. Whether that is to vote, to campaign or to stand for election, women must be there making the decisions.</p><p>Over the course of 2018, the Centenary Fund supported nearly 320 small and large projects. Many of them are ongoing and designed to encourage participation by offering women across the country information and training to take part in civic society at all levels. For example, on 21 November 2018, the Campaign group 50:50 Parliament’s #AskHerToStand event asked MPs to mentor women from their constituency for the day.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 10/01/2019 17:54:45 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1105321

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Crime: Retail Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to tackle (a) retail crime and (b) violence against shopworkers; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	236990
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2019 answer text <p>All forms of retail crime are unacceptable, and everyone has the right to feel safe at work.</p><p>I chair the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) which brings together partners including the police, trade bodies – including the Association of Convenience Stores - and retailers and is overseeing a range of work to tackle retail crime. This includes the collation and dissemination of good practice and developing guidance on the use of Impact Statements for Business, which give victims of business crime the opportunity to set out the impact the crime has had on the business, including, for example, financial loss. The NRCSG also continues to work with retailers to im-prove the management and response to shop theft using a partnership ap-proach according to local circumstances.</p><p>On 21 January I announced that we will launch a call for evidence on violence and abuse towards shop workers to strengthen our understanding of this issue, including how existing legislation is being applied.</p><p>In addition, the Sentencing Council is reviewing its guidelines on assault and a consultation on a revised guideline is anticipated to commence this Summer.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/04/2019 16:11:52 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

790151

	registered interest
	date	15/11/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery and Trafficking Reparation Orders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reparation orders have been made under section 8 of the Modern Slavery Act in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	113365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>No slavery and trafficking reparation orders have been made since their introduction under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 coming into force for offences committed after 31<sup>st</sup> July 2015. They can only be made once someone has been convicted of a relevant offence and the Crown Court has made a confiscation order against them. Modern slavery prosecutions are complex and often take a long time to complete. As the number of concluded prosecutions rise, we expect to see a rise in the number of reparation orders.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/11/2017 17:34:25 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

793183

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Exploitation: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in how many cases involving British children exploited in (a) gang crime, (b) violence and (c) drug crime has the statutory defence set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 been invoked.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	114968
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2017 answer text <p>Data on the number and type of cases where the statutory defence set out in section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has been applied are not collated centrally. The statutory defence could arise in any category of offence and may be a consideration in the decision as to whether to charge an individual in circumstances where the defence could apply.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 27/11/2017 17:26:38 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

795485

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery: Victim Support Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost of providing weekly drop-in support services for victims of modern slavery.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	115906
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2017 answer text <p>The recent announcements on National Referral Mechanism (NRM) reform indicate the Government’s commitment to markedly improve the identification of, and support provided to, victims of modern slavery. This includes the provision of ‘drop in’ services for all confirmed victims for up to 6 months after leaving support to aid the transition, provided by The Salvation Army.</p><p>The Government also announced its intention to invoke Section 50 of the Modern Slavery Act, setting out in regulation the support that victims are entitled to and to launch a consultation in the preparation of statutory guidance, under Section 49 of the Modern Slavery Act, on identification and support for victims of slavery;</p><p> </p><p>Detailed implementation plans for the reform programme are currently being developed which will identify likely timescales for each of the reform measures and the relevant cost implications will be factored into our routine financial planning process.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins grouped question UIN 115908 115911 question first answered 30/11/2017 14:29:17 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

795487

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery: Victim Support Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for the introduction of weekly drop-in support services for victims of modern slavery.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	115908
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2017 answer text <p>The recent announcements on National Referral Mechanism (NRM) reform indicate the Government’s commitment to markedly improve the identification of, and support provided to, victims of modern slavery. This includes the provision of ‘drop in’ services for all confirmed victims for up to 6 months after leaving support to aid the transition, provided by The Salvation Army.</p><p>The Government also announced its intention to invoke Section 50 of the Modern Slavery Act, setting out in regulation the support that victims are entitled to and to launch a consultation in the preparation of statutory guidance, under Section 49 of the Modern Slavery Act, on identification and support for victims of slavery;</p><p> </p><p>Detailed implementation plans for the reform programme are currently being developed which will identify likely timescales for each of the reform measures and the relevant cost implications will be factored into our routine financial planning process.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins grouped question UIN 115906 115911 question first answered 30/11/2017 14:29:17 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

795488

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Human Trafficking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether safehouses for the victims of human trafficking have a statutory duty to inform social workers which county the victims have been placed in;and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	115909
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2017 answer text <p>When a victim of modern slavery is referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) they are offered access to a safe house or outreach support to facilitate their recovery. Details of the location of safe houses are not shared widely to ensure the safety of residents. Victims of modern slavery who are resident in safe houses are assisted by their support worker to access the support they need from statutory services.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 30/11/2017 08:59:21 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

795490

	registered interest
	date	27/11/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Human Trafficking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish guidance on victim identification and support for those who have been subject to human trafficking.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	115911
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2017 answer text <p>The recent announcements on National Referral Mechanism (NRM) reform indicate the Government’s commitment to markedly improve the identification of, and support provided to, victims of modern slavery. This includes the provision of ‘drop in’ services for all confirmed victims for up to 6 months after leaving support to aid the transition, provided by The Salvation Army.</p><p>The Government also announced its intention to invoke Section 50 of the Modern Slavery Act, setting out in regulation the support that victims are entitled to and to launch a consultation in the preparation of statutory guidance, under Section 49 of the Modern Slavery Act, on identification and support for victims of slavery;</p><p> </p><p>Detailed implementation plans for the reform programme are currently being developed which will identify likely timescales for each of the reform measures and the relevant cost implications will be factored into our routine financial planning process.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins grouped question UIN 115906 115908 question first answered 30/11/2017 14:29:17 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

801179

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Crimes of Violence: Acids
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress the Government is making on its review of sentencing powers for acid attacks.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	117738
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2017 answer text <p>Good progress is being made in delivering the Government’s action plan in tackling the use of acid and other corrosives substances in violent attacks.</p><p> </p><p>The Sentencing Council has issued an important clarifying note which makes it clear that the use of a corrosive substance is a factor that shows high culpability on the part of the offender and would indicate a greater level of offence seriousness which should be reflected in sentencing. The Sentencing Council are currently developing a new guideline on possession of dangerous weapons and threats to use them which is expected to be ready in early 2018.</p><p> </p><p>On 14 October we published a consultation paper on offensive and dangerous weapons. This included the proposal to create a new minimum custodial sentence for those convicted of a second or subsequent offence of possessing a corrosive substance in public. The consultation closed on 9 December.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 11/12/2017 16:15:04 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

801180

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Motorcycles: Crime
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has had discussions with representatives of delivery firms whose drivers use mopeds on the risk of assault to their drivers; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	117739
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2017 answer text <p>In July 2017, the Home Secretary announced an action plan to tackle the use of acid and other corrosives substances in violent attacks. The action plan is based on four key strands: ensuring effective support for victims and survivors; effective policing; ensuring that relevant legislation is understood and consistently applied; and working with retailers to restrict access to acids and other harmful corrosive substances.</p><p> </p><p>We are also consulting on new legislative proposals on new offences in respect of selling the most harmful corrosive substances to under 18s and possession of a corrosive substance in a public place.</p><p> </p><p>On moped related crime, the Government is working with motorcycle and insurance industry leaders, the police, the Local Government Association, charities and representatives from the motorcycle riding community to identify a set of actions so that more can be done to prevent these crimes. This work sits alongside the review we have announced into the law, guidance and practice in relation to police pursuits and response driving.</p><p>Officials have had discussions with Uber and UberEats about their concerns about assaults being committed against their drivers and couriers. This in particular, covered the work underway to prevent attacks with acids and other corrosive substances and the work to tackle moped enabled crime.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 11/12/2017 16:10:43 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

801188

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2017
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Motorcycles: Crime
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received about city neighbourhoods where moped delivery drivers are unwilling to make deliveries because of the danger of becoming a victim of crime; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	117747
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2017 answer text <p>In July 2017, the Home Secretary announced an action plan to tackle the use of acid and other corrosives substances in violent attacks. The action plan is based on four key strands: ensuring effective support for victims and survivors; effective policing; ensuring that relevant legislation is understood and consistently applied; and working with retailers to restrict access to acids and other harmful corrosive substances.</p><p> </p><p>We are also consulting on new legislative proposals on new offences in respect of selling the most harmful corrosive substances to under 18s and possession of a corrosive substance in a public place.</p><p> </p><p>On moped related crime, the Government is working with motorcycle and insurance industry leaders, the police, the Local Government Association, charities and representatives from the motorcycle riding community to identify a set of actions so that more can be done to prevent these crimes. This work sits alongside the review we have announced into the law, guidance and practice in relation to police pursuits and response driving.</p><p>Officials have met representatives from Uber and UberEats to discuss this issue. We have ensured they are in contact with the Metropolitan Police Service so that they are aware of these concerns and to discuss what practical advice can be provided to their couriers and drivers.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 11/12/2017 16:06:45 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834033

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what powers her Department has when notified by the submission of an MS1 form of a potential victim of modern slavery in the event that the alleged victim has not consented to being referred.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	125790
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2018 answer text <p>Section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act places a duty on specified public authorities to notify the Secretary of State, or if so provided by the Secretary of State in regulations, another public authority, where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking.</p><p>Section 52, Subsection (3) provides that identifying information about an adult potential victim of slavery or trafficking should only be included in a notification where the individual concerned has given their consent.</p><p>In the event that a potential victim does not consent to be referred into the NRM process, Home Office powers extend as far as is enabled by existing legislation. The Modern Slavery Unit will ensure that any MS1 forms received are referred to the relevant police force, if not already done so by the first responder making the referral. In addition, the Home Office collects MS1 data to share with operational partners including the police and National Crime Agency to improve the understanding of the nature and scale of modern slavery.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/02/2018 13:39:08 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834038

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how she plans to evaluate the outcome of the modern slavery strategy; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	125795
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2018 answer text <p>The UK Government has had an ambitious Modern Slavery Strategy in place since 2014. Significant progress has been made in implementing the Strategy which has been monitored through performance indicators relating to individual parts of the Strategy.</p><p>The 2017 UK Annual Report on Modern Slavery details the steps the UK has taken to combat modern slavery including through implementation of the Modern Slavery Strategy. The report is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery</a></p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/02/2018 13:32:01 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834040

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery: Business
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has for monitoring compliance by businesses with the requirements placed on them by the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	125797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2018 answer text <p>As a result of the world-leading provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015, we have seen thousands of transparency statements published and businesses are now more focused on this issue than ever before. The legislation was designed to harness pressure from civil society and we are pleased that NGOs are using company statements to hold businesses to account, including contacting businesses that have not yet published statements.</p><p>No injunctions have yet been issued at this early stage of implementation and the Government is taking other action to improve implementation. The Government has strengthened guidance for businesses and recently wrote to over 10,000 businesses that may be required to publish statements reminding them of their obligations and providing useful resources. We expect this activity will further increase the number of statements published.</p><p>In October the Government also launched a new ‘Business Against Slavery Forum’. This aims to establish a new partnership between Government and business to accelerate progress in tackling modern slavery. It will focus on sharing best practice and building new initiatives to tackle modern slavery, including improving business engagement with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 02/02/2018 13:35:03 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834416

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how long on average it takes for a person to go through the National Referral Mechanism.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	126035
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2018 answer text <p>Following a referral into the National Referral Mechanism, a reasonable grounds determination is made within 5 days, followed by a conclusive grounds determination on average in 98 days, as published in the evaluation of the 20 month pilot we ran to test a new decision-making process designed to improve timescales – <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-evaluation-of-the-national-referral-mechanism-pilot" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-evaluation-of-the-national-referral-mechanism-pilot</a>.</p><p>The findings from the pilot have been used to inform the recently announced package of reforms to the National Referral Mechanism, which includes measures aimed at improving decision-making timescales, such as the introduction of a new digital system.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 05/02/2018 16:27:28 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834417

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the proportion of victims of modern slavery who go on to be re-trafficked after they leave the National Referral Mechanism.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	126036
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2018 answer text <p>The ability to monitor long term outcomes for victims that leave the National Referral Mechanism and do not wish to maintain contact is extremely difficult.</p><p>As part of reform to the National Referral Mechanism, we are introducing access to a 6 month drop-in service for confirmed victims leaving Government funded support. In addition we will be implementing a digital system that will improve our ability to identify individuals who have previously been referred to the National Referral Mechanism.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 05/02/2018 16:25:10 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834779

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the support for victims of modery slavery provided by local authorities in London.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	126201
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>All local agencies, including local authorities, have statutory duties to safeguard children as part of their local responsibilities, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences. The revised ‘Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery’ statutory guidance for local authorities (2017) sets out the steps that local authorities should take to plan for the provision of support where the child is an unaccompanied asylum seeking child and/or may have been a victim of trafficking or modern slavery.</p><p>Support for adult victims of modern slavery is provided by a central Government-funded contract, delivery by the Salvation Army. Victims receive tailored specialist support, including: accommodation, subsistence, counselling, access to mental, physical and dental health services, and signposting to legal support.</p><p>As part of reform to the National Referral Mechanism, we are working with local authorities to test pathways for transitioning confirmed victims of modern slavery out of central Government-funded support into local communities, and will evaluate the effectiveness of these pathways.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/02/2018 18:06:12 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

834781

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to improve the National Referral Mechanism for victims of modern slavery.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	126203
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2018 answer text <p>On the 26<sup>th</sup> October 2017, this Government announced a package of reforms to the National Referral Mechanism, the system for identifying and support victims of modern slavery. Details can be found - <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/modern-slavery-victims-to-receive-longer-period-of-support" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/modern-slavery-victims-to-receive-longer-period-of-support</a></p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 06/02/2018 18:07:02 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

837954

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to set up (a) care standards and (b) an inspection regime to improve standards of care for victims of modern slavery.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	126984
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>As part of the recently announced package of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), Government committed to adopting the Trafficking Survivor Care Standards drafted by the Human Trafficking Foundation with contributions from a range of non-governmental organisations, including a number of subcontractors of the Victim Care Contract.</p><p>We are currently working with stakeholders, including subcontractors of the Victim Care Contract, to update the standards and design a compliance regime. The standards will then be incorporated into future care contracts for adult victims of modern slavery. In the meantime, we will work with subcontractors to ensure they are meeting the minimum standards.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/02/2018 11:31:41 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

837955

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the extent of variations across the regions and constituent parts of the UK in approaches to tackling modern slavery; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	126985
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>The 2017 Annual Report on Modern Slavery contains a range of analyses on how modern slavery is tackled across the country and how law enforcement agencies respond to the issue across jurisdictions in England and Wales.</p><p>The report is available at: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery</a></p><p>The 2017 HMICFRS report on the policing response to modern slavery includes further information and assessment of current law enforcement response variations.</p><p>The report is available at: <a href="http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/wp-content/uploads/stolen-freedom-the-policing-response-to-modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking.pdf" target="_blank">www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/wp-content/uploads/stolen-freedom-the-policing-response-to-modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking.pdf</a></p><p>The Home Office remains committed to working closely with the police and other external stakeholders to ensure a more consistent and unified response to modern slavery across the UK.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/02/2018 11:33:53 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

839033

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Anti-Slavery Commissioner on the greatest challenges to his effective work; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	127593
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2018 answer text <p>Part 4 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 established the role of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. The Commissioner has a UK-wide remit to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of modern slavery offences and the identification of victims. In support of this, Ministers meet regularly with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to understand the challenges he is identifying and to ensure a collaborative approach to addressing them.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 20/02/2018 11:30:44 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

850270

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Crimes of Violence: Acids
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to implement her commitment in October 2017 to ban the carrying of acid in public without good reason.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	129838
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2018 answer text <p>The consultation on legislative proposals on offensive and dangerous weapons closed on 9 December 2017 and this included a proposal to make it an offence to possess a corrosive substance in a public place without good reason.</p><p>We are currently considering the responses to the consultation and we will publish a summary of the consultation responses shortly. Legislative measures arising from the consultation will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 01/03/2018 17:14:08 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

850279

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February to Question 127593, on Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner, how many meetings were held between Ministers and the Anti-Slavery Commissioner in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018; and what the dates of those meetings were.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	129847
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2018 answer text <p>Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 12/03/2018 18:02:13 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

904049

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to extend the remit of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority to social care.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	143622
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2018 answer text <p>The Immigration Act 2016 amended the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 to allow sectors to be included or excluded from the remit of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority so that the licensing regime can be flexible in meeting the changing nature of labour exploitation.</p><p>Changes to the licensing regime should be informed by an understanding of the threat of exploitation in different sectors and the full range of options to tackle it. That is why we have appointed the Director of Labour Market Enforcement to assess the risk of exploitation in different sectors and consider whether the use of licensing is an appropriate response. The Director is currently looking at regulation in different sectors, including the care sector to consider whether licensing would be an appropriate tool.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 05/06/2018 14:01:48 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

904861

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Crimes of Violence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much has been spent by police forces on handling (a) acid attacks, (b) knife attacks and (c) violent crimes in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	144149
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not collected centrally. It is a matter for Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Officers to determine how to use their available resources in line with local priorities.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 21/05/2018 16:53:39 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

932307

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Offensive Weapons: Corrosive Substances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library the recommendations of the scientific advisers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory which provided the basis for Schedule 1 to the Offensive Weapons Bill.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	158653
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2018 answer text <p>We have been working closely with scientific advisers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and formerly at the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology on the corrosive products and concentration limits set out in Schedule 1 of the Offensive Weapons Bill. A paper setting out the scientific advice we have received will be made available to Parliament by Committee stage of the Offensive Weapons Bill.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 03/07/2018 15:15:58 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

932312

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Corrosive Substances: Sales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making it an offence to sell a corrosive product to a person who is under the age of 21.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	158654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2018 answer text <p>The Offensive Weapons Bill includes provisions to prevent the sale of the most damaging corrosives to under 18s, rather than to persons under 21. This is because the age of 18 is common for other age restricted products such as alcohol and the sale of knives. It is also based on recognition that 18 is accepted internationally as the age of a child.</p><p>Placing a statutory age restriction at 21 would set a precedent for other age restricted products and would raise discrimination issues. Corrosive products are not in themselves offensive weapons and they have many legitimate uses in the home and business and there is no evidence that adults should be denied access to these products. Retailers may, however, wish to introduce their own schemes to ask for age verification of those who look under 21 just as they do for alcohol sales.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 26/07/2018 15:16:45 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

932326

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Crimes of Violence: Corrosive Substances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department has collected on the substances used in corrosive substance attacks in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	158656
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2018 answer text <p><strong> </strong>The Home Office does not hold the information requested and does not specifically collect data from police forces on acid and other corrosive attacks as part of its regular data collection. Acid and other corrosive attacks resulting in injury are included in Office for National Statistics published statistics within assault with injury offences and assault with intent to cause serious harm offences, but cannot be disaggregated.</p><p>The table below sets out the substances identified as being used in attacks between November 2016 and April 2017 based on the returns from 39 police forces as part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council commissioned voluntary data collection.</p><p><strong>Indicative figures for 408 acid or corrosive attacks broken down by substance</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Indicative figures for 408 acid or corrosive attacks broken down by substance</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Acid</p></td><td><p>56</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Ammonia</p></td><td><p>69</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bleach</p></td><td><p>71</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other stated substance</p></td><td><p>107</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Unknown liquid</p></td><td><p>74</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>No information provided</p></td><td><p>31</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>408</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other stated substance included a range of diverse substances including boiling water, lighter fluid, petrol, CS and pepper spray and non-ammonia/bleach household cleaning products.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>These figures must be treated with caution, as they are not official statistics. Furthermore, they are only available for cases where the substance was recorded by officers and reflect what the officers involved in the case believed the substance to be, based on the available evidence.</p><p>The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead has undertaken a further data collection exercise with police forces to provide us with updated figures on the extent of corrosive substance attacks and the substances. We expect that the analysis will be completed shortly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 03/07/2018 15:37:27 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

932328

	registered interest
	date	28/06/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Hydrofluoric Acid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the level of harm which can be caused by hydrofluoric acid having zero per cent concentration.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	158657
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2018 answer text <p>Advice we have received is that hydrofluoric acid is so corrosive that even trace concentrations could cause harm. We think there are no circumstances in which hydrofluoric acid should be sold to a person under 18.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 26/07/2018 14:47:49 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

946950

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2018
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Corrosive Substances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2018 Question 158653, when he plans to publish the scientific advice commissioned by his Department on the corrosive products and concentration limits set out in Schedule 1 of the Bill.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	167105
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/09/2018 answer text <p>We have provided the scientific advice prepared by the Government’s advisors at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on the corrosive substances and concentration levels set out in Schedule 1 of the Offensive Weapons Bill, to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee on the Offensive Weapons Bill. A copy of the advice will be placed in the House Library.</p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 04/09/2018 16:26:37 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

678682

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2017
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Members: Harassment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what recent assessment the Commission has made of the level of online abuse of female hon. Members.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	61644
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2017 answer text <p>Members are encouraged to report all social media abuse and threats to the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team (PLAIT), based in Westminster. This police unit provides support to individual Members about security concerns and co-ordinates the response with local forces.</p><p>The House has a policy of not commenting publicly on specific security matters. However, the Parliamentary Security Director is happy to meet the right hon. Member to discuss the level of online abuse of female hon. Members.</p><p>The Parliamentary Security Department, in conjunction with the police digital crime unit and social media companies, have run workshops for Members on this issue and provides general security advice on social media harassment.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 30/01/2017 12:05:54 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

708582

	registered interest
	date	06/03/2017
	answering body	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept id	18
	answering dept short name	House of Commons Commission
	answering dept sort name	House of Commons Commission
	hansard heading	Parliament: Educational Visits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of school-aged children visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service were home-schooled in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	66707
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2017 answer text <p>The proportion of home-schooled children visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in each <em>academic</em> year since 2010 were as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Academic Year</p></td><td><p>Total schools visiting</p></td><td><p>Total number of school visitors</p></td><td><p>Total home education groups visiting</p></td><td><p>Total number of home schooled visitors</p></td><td><p>Home schooled visitors as a % of all school visitors</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>864</p></td><td><p>34,478</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>211</p></td><td><p>0.61</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>1,043</p></td><td><p>40,424</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>51</p></td><td><p>0.13</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>1,216</p></td><td><p>46,137</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>283</p></td><td><p>0.61</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>1,305</p></td><td><p>46,597</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>11</p></td><td><p>0.02</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/15</p></td><td><p>1,302</p></td><td><p>43,386</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>209</p></td><td><p>0.48</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>2,223</p></td><td><p>81,977</p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>710</p></td><td><p>0.87</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>2,541</p></td><td><p>93,366</p></td><td><p>15</p></td><td><p>388</p></td><td><p>0.42</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>10,494</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>386,385</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>59</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,863</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>0.48</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The proportion of home-schooled children visiting Parliament through Parliament's Education Service in each <em>financial</em> year since 2010 were as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Total schools visiting</p></td><td><p>Total number of school visitors</p></td><td><p>Total home education groups visiting</p></td><td><p>Total number of home education group visitors</p></td><td><p>Home educated visitors as a % of all school visitors</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>836</p></td><td><p>34,258</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>202</p></td><td><p>0.59</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>997</p></td><td><p>39,818</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>137</p></td><td><p>0.34</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>1,126</p></td><td><p>44,389</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>211</p></td><td><p>0.48</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>1,244</p></td><td><p>46,491</p></td><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>110</p></td><td><p>0.24</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/15</p></td><td><p>1,282</p></td><td><p>43,763</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>0.23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015/16</p></td><td><p>1,781</p></td><td><p>65,775</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>679</p></td><td><p>1.03</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016/17</p></td><td><p>2,495</p></td><td><p>94,409</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>469</p></td><td><p>0.50</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>9,761</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>386,903</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>58</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>1,907</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>0.49</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>These figures represent the number of individuals visiting, rather than the overall number of sessions each school has booked (each school can book up to four sessions in an academic year).</p><p>The totals for 2016/17 are based upon actual visits up until 03/03/2017. Figures for the remainder of the academic / financial year are based upon bookings received.</p> answering member constituency Carshalton and Wallington answering member printed Tom Brake question first answered 09/03/2017 11:08:44 answering member 151 label Biography information for Tom Brake
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

100919

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2014
	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	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of universal credit access to childcare accounts equivalent to those proposed in the Childcare Payments Bill for claimants of tax-free childcare.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	211857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Universal credit prepares claimants for the world of work in which around 75% of employees are paid monthly and in arrears. Monthly payment of benefit, which includes support for childcare costs that have been paid out, makes for more straightforward reporting and helps households to budget on a monthly income, which eases the transition into paid work.</p><p> </p><p>Moving to a system of ‘childcare accounts’ which ring-fences childcare costs would complicate the system for these claimants. It would add complexity to the Universal Credit system, which is being rolled out in a safe and controlled manner and could potentially increase the administration costs of running two systems in parallel.</p><p> </p><p>We have worked with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to support claimants that may wish to switch between Universal Credit and Tax Free Childcare. It will be easy for parents to register and open a childcare account online for Tax Free Childcare, and those who wish to move back to Universal Credit may do so without having to report the change to HMRC. Both systems are designed to be simple, responsive and flexible.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the importance of providing information and support to help parents make an informed choice about which scheme to access. Alongside wider guidance and information, we will provide support and online tools for parents choosing between Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 29/10/2014 14:39:47 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

100920

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2014
	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	Employment: Older Workers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Mid-life Career Review Project.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	211858
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>I welcome the findings of the Mid-life Career Review. As identified in our publication “Fuller Working Lives – A Framework For Action”, re-skilling is an essential component in ensuring that people can work, earn and save for as long as they wish. A number of lessons learned from the pilot have already been integrated into existing career and skills provider practice, and the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will continue to work with the National Careers Service and the wider network of advisers in the community, and with business, on ways to meet career review needs.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 29/10/2014 14:51:16 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

102070

	registered interest
	date	31/10/2014
	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	Social Security Benefits: Disclosure of Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provisions are in place to protect whistleblowers in (a) Jobcentre Plus and (b) Work Programme providers.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	212845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>(a) Whilst Jobcentres remain the branding of the Department's frontline face to face service, the executive agency status of Jobcentre Plus ended during 2011-12 as DWP integrated its frontline agencies into one operation. DWP has a Whistleblowing policy which covers all employees. This encourages employees to raise any concerns about wrongdoing. Where an employee raises a concern under this policy, the procedures ensure that they are provided with protection, help and support.</p><p> </p><p>(b) Responsibility for the protection of whistleblowers in Work Programme providers rests with their employers. Employers are subject to the Public Interest Disclosure Act which protects whistleblowers from suffering any detriment as a result of raising a genuine concern.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 05/11/2014 14:42:39 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

156444

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2014
	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	Employment: Older People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in other EU countries on the role of people aged over 50 in the EU labour market.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	214910
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The UK was represented by DWP officials at an event held in Brussels on ‘delivering longer working lives and higher retirement ages’ organised by the EU and the OECD on 12-13 November. The focus of the event was around:</p><p> </p><p>i. The Review of present State of retirement affairs across EU 28 - new challenges for labour market and social policies from the early exit routes and the linking of pensionable ages to life expectancy;</p><p>ii. Identifying the conditions that encourage and enable people to work longer;</p><p>iii. Discussions on how older workers that experience problems to work longer can be accommodated.</p><p> </p><p>We need to maintain focus on delivering jobs and growth. Strong national ownership of the necessary structural reforms by Member States is vital to achieving this.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 21/11/2014 11:57:44 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

156655

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	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	Jobcentre Plus: Career Development
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Jobcentre Plus staff were promoted to a higher grade in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	215279
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Data that is available for the number of people promoted to a higher grade in Jobcentre Plus is set out in the following table.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Promotions in DWP</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Total DWP</p></td><td><p>Jobcentre Plus</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr 09 - Mar 10</p></td><td><p>4,359</p></td><td><p>2,652</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr 10 - Mar 11</p></td><td><p>376</p></td><td><p>62</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr 11 - Mar 12</p></td><td><p>581</p></td><td><p>6 *</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr 12 - Mar 13</p></td><td><p>1,817</p></td><td><p>-</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Apr 13 - Mar 14</p></td><td><p>572</p></td><td><p>-</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>*Note- Jobcentre Plus ceased to exist as a separate organisation in October 2011 and was consumed within the wider Department for Work and Pensions. Information for Jobcentre Plus is therefore not available beyond September 2011 and Jobcentre Plus information for April 11 – Mar 12 is part year only.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 24/11/2014 11:48:11 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

156656

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2014
	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	Jobcentre Plus: Ethnic Groups
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Jobcentre Plus advisers was from a black and minority ethnic group in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	215276
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The information requested is not available.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 24/11/2014 11:43:41 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

167163

	registered interest
	date	01/12/2014
	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	Social Security Benefits: ICT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects support and security accreditation to be restored to the Enhanced Transition Service Enhancements.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	216604
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Department keeps the security arrangements for its IT systems under regular review and ensures support and remediation whenever issues are identified. However, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual risk assessments and accreditation arrangements for particular systems, as this is ongoing activity of particular sensitivity.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 04/12/2014 14:20:03 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

168735

	registered interest
	date	08/12/2014
	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	Jobcentre Plus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on claimants of the removal of telephones from Jobcentre Plus offices.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	217675
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>We have replaced our Customer Access Phones with a new assisted service for claimants who attend the Jobcentre and are unable to access DWP services without our help.</p><p> </p><p>The level of support we provide to those claimants identified as having complex needs and/or requiring additional support to access our services has not changed.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 11/12/2014 15:21:58 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

168737

	registered interest
	date	08/12/2014
	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	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy for his Department to collect information on the length of time taken for benefit payments to be made; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	217673
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2014 answer text <p>The department uses a range of metrics to track and manage timeliness of payments within the benefits system. I refer the Rt.Hon. Member to the reply I gave to his previous Parliamentary Question UIN<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&amp;max=20&amp;questiontype=AllQuestions&amp;house=commons,lords&amp;use-dates=True&amp;answered-from=2014-10-29&amp;answered-to=2014-10-29&amp;dept=29&amp;uin=211860" target="_blank">211860,</a>on the 29<sup>th</sup> October 2014.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 11/12/2014 15:36:58 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

176183

	registered interest
	date	27/01/2015
	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	Social Rented Housing: Landlords
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made in sharing data with registered social landlords.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	222357
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p>The Social Security (Information-sharing in relation to Welfare Services etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I.2015/46) were laid on 23 January 2015 and come into force on 13 February 2015.</p><p> </p><p>Commencing on 16 February 2015, registered social landlords, local authorities and arms length management organisations will be notified when one of their tenants makes an application for Universal Credit, or when a person already receiving Universal Credit becomes a tenant of theirs.</p><p> </p><p>The data shared will be limited to that required by the landlord to identify the tenant and enable them to confirm that Universal Credit has been claimed. This will enable the landlord, at the earliest possible opportunity, to decide whether they wish to offer, or refer the claimant to, additional welfare support.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 02/02/2015 17:43:17 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

176926

	registered interest
	date	30/01/2015
	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	Welfare Assistance Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has held in 2015 to date with his ministerial colleagues at the Department for Communities and Local Government on the operation of local welfare assistance schemes.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	222820
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>There have been no meetings on the operation of these schemes in 2015.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 04/02/2015 11:39:32 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

223401

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2015
	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	Older Workers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to implement the commitments in Fuller Working Lives - a framework for action, published by his Department in June 2014.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	225231
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2015 answer text <p>Since June 2014 this Government has:</p><p> </p><p>- Appointed Dr Ros Altmann CBE as the Business Champion for Older Workers to actively promote the business case and benefits of employing older workers, seeking to engage and influence both strategically and in terms of practical advice. Dr Altmann has engaged with over 80 organisations and attended numerous events and speaking engagements. Ministers have attended three meetings of Dr Altmann’s working group and have also met with her to discuss her emerging findings. She will shortly be making her recommendations to the Government.</p><p>- Announced new pilots that will be based on our current sector based work academies and Work Experience programmes, but tailored to the needs of older claimants.</p><p>- Extended the right to request flexible working, which can help older workers to stay in the labour market.</p><p>- Launched the advice element of Fit for Work, which helps with sickness absence and provides an occupational health assessment and health and work advice to employees, employers and GPs.</p><p>- Completed the first stage of the Inclusive Technology Prize to inspire innovation from individuals and small businesses to develop assistive living technology.</p><p>- Funded ‘Carers in Employment’ pilots in nine Local Authorities.</p><p>- Launched a small scale pilot in Gloucestershire, designed to support Carers Allowance claimants whose engagement with Jobcentre Plus is optional.</p><p>- Started working with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). In September 2014 (partnering with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP) we held a national conference on economic growth, focussing on retaining and recruiting older workers.</p><p>- Announced two trials that will explore what may provide effective support for older claimants looking at career reviews and IT and digital support.</p><p>- Announced the introduction of regional ‘Champions’ in Jobcentre Plus. These Jobcentre Plus staff will work with both Work Coaches and local employers to raise the profile of and highlight the benefits of employing older claimants.</p><p>- Carried out polling research to explore the attitudes of the over 50s, and employer attitudes to Fuller Working Lives to help shape policy and messaging. This also allowed us to further understand the perceived benefits and barriers to later life working. More information on attitudes-of-over-50s can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attitudes-of-the-over-50s-to-fuller-working-lives" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attitudes-of-the-over-50s-to-fuller-working-lives</a>.</p><p> </p><p>In Spring 2015 we will publish a new older workers employer toolkit, and NIACE’s final report on Mid-Life career review will be completed which will make number of recommendations based on the research findings.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 27/02/2015 13:09:04 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

223402

	registered interest
	date	24/02/2015
	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	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average amount of funding provided by his Department to a local authority is for personal budgeting support when universal credit is implemented in a local authority area.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	225230
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2015 answer text <p>Funding for councils is developed on a local volumes basis, in the light of OBR forecasts an average has not yet been calculated.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 27/02/2015 12:59:18 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

223707

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2015
	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	Welfare Assistance Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effective delivery of local welfare schemes by English local authorities.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	225365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2015 answer text <p>We spoke at length to a number of local authorities last autumn when conducting a review of local welfare schemes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The findings were published, including examples of best practice, on 5<sup>th</sup> November 2014. A copy of the report was sent to all the local authorities that received funding and a copy placed in the House library. It can also be found on the Gov.uk website here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/370775/2-local-welfare-provision-review-nov-2014.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/370775/2-local-welfare-provision-review-nov-2014.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>None of those local authorities we spoke to raised concerns about people being incorrectly referred to local welfare provision support rather than being considered for a Short Term Benefit Advance (STBA). There were some suggestions that this may have happened on occasion when STBAs were first introduced in April 2013, so the department issued revised guidance and instructions to staff at the time. The relevant DWP guidance was also shared with local authorities.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb grouped question UIN 225362 225363 question first answered 02/03/2015 12:54:22 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

223709

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2015
	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	Welfare Assistance Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received about instances of people being sent from Jobcentre Plus to apply to the local welfare scheme instead of being offered a short-term advance of benefits; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	225363
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2015 answer text <p>We spoke at length to a number of local authorities last autumn when conducting a review of local welfare schemes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The findings were published, including examples of best practice, on 5<sup>th</sup> November 2014. A copy of the report was sent to all the local authorities that received funding and a copy placed in the House library. It can also be found on the Gov.uk website here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/370775/2-local-welfare-provision-review-nov-2014.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/370775/2-local-welfare-provision-review-nov-2014.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>None of those local authorities we spoke to raised concerns about people being incorrectly referred to local welfare provision support rather than being considered for a Short Term Benefit Advance (STBA). There were some suggestions that this may have happened on occasion when STBAs were first introduced in April 2013, so the department issued revised guidance and instructions to staff at the time. The relevant DWP guidance was also shared with local authorities.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb grouped question UIN 225362 225365 question first answered 02/03/2015 12:54:22 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms