Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1013161

	registered interest
	date	23/11/2018
	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	Cooperatives and Social Enterprises
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what resources are available through Jobcentre Plus for people planning to set up social enterprises and co-operatives.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	195033
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/11/2018 answer text <p>The New Enterprise Allowance supports people to start their own business or develop their business if they are already self-employed. Businesses may include social enterprises or cooperatives.</p><p> </p><p>Since its launch in April 2011 up to the end of June 2018, there have been over 120,520 businesses set up through the New Enterprise Allowance scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Work Coaches are also aware of local provision to which they can signpost people as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 30/11/2018 15:12:48 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1020622

	registered interest
	date	06/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the effect of single family payments of universal credit on people who are in violent or coercive relationships.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	199782
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>We believe that most couples can and want to manage their finances jointly without state intervention. However, we recognise that there are circumstances in which split payments are appropriate, such as in the case of domestic abuse. Where this is the case, split payments are available on request. Both members of a couple do not need to be present to set up a split payment and consent is not required from the other partner to authorise a split payment. Claimants can request a split payment during a face to face meeting, a phone call, or online via their journal and do not have to provide evidence of abuse in order to be granted a split payment.</p><p> </p><p>Not all individuals who are suffering domestic abuse will want a split payment and we work with claimants on an individual basis to provide support that fits with their individual circumstances. Work coaches receive training on domestic abuse and we will provide all the support we can when an individual discloses they are suffering from domestic abuse, including signposting them to third party professionals who can provide additional expert advice and support.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to support the development and implementation of their split payment policy, and will observe the implementation of split payments in Scotland to further understand the impacts of such a policy.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 199783 question first answered 12/12/2018 15:50:44 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1020623

	registered interest
	date	06/12/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the ease with which victims of domestic abuse can (a) request and (b) receive split universal credit payments.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	199783
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2018 answer text <p>We believe that most couples can and want to manage their finances jointly without state intervention. However, we recognise that there are circumstances in which split payments are appropriate, such as in the case of domestic abuse. Where this is the case, split payments are available on request. Both members of a couple do not need to be present to set up a split payment and consent is not required from the other partner to authorise a split payment. Claimants can request a split payment during a face to face meeting, a phone call, or online via their journal and do not have to provide evidence of abuse in order to be granted a split payment.</p><p> </p><p>Not all individuals who are suffering domestic abuse will want a split payment and we work with claimants on an individual basis to provide support that fits with their individual circumstances. Work coaches receive training on domestic abuse and we will provide all the support we can when an individual discloses they are suffering from domestic abuse, including signposting them to third party professionals who can provide additional expert advice and support.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to support the development and implementation of their split payment policy, and will observe the implementation of split payments in Scotland to further understand the impacts of such a policy.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 199782 question first answered 12/12/2018 15:50:44 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1079344

	registered interest
	date	28/02/2019
	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	Private Rented Housing: Natural Gas
	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 tackle the number of private landlords who do not conduct annual gas safety inspections; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	227044
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2019 answer text <p>Landlords are required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to maintain their gas installations in a safe condition and to arrange annual safety checks, by Gas Safe registered engineers, of any appliances and flues that they provide for their tenants’ use.</p><p> </p><p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) takes action against landlords who fail to meet this duty in line with the domestic gas events and enforcement advice (<a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/ocs/400-499/440_30.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/ocs/400-499/440_30.htm</a>) and HSE’s enforcement policy statement and enforcement management model (<a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcement.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcement.htm</a>) which is proportionate, targeted, consistent, transparent and accountable.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 07/03/2019 12:38:57 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

167382

	registered interest
	date	02/12/2014
	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	Jobseeker's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had on the effect of the seven day waiting period for jobseeker's allowance on those undertaking intermittent full-time employment via job agencies.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	216722
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The waiting days change does not affect existing ‘linking’ rules which mean that anyone leaving benefit for a period of up to 12 weeks, perhaps because they have taken short term employment, would not serve waiting days again when they reclaim. Therefore the Department has not consulted on the effect of this measure on intermittent full-time employment via job agencies.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 09/12/2014 15:59:44 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

172292

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2015
	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	Funerals
	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 is taking to ensure that funerals are affordable.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	219784
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2015 answer text <p>As the funeral sector is subject to consumer regulation and many crematoriums and burial plots are the responsibility of local authorities my department cannot influence funeral costs. However, it does operate the Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme which continues to provide help towards a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral for those who are eligible. In 2013/14, over 33,000 awards were made worth £44.4 million, with an average award of £1,347.</p><p> </p><p>This Government has extended the Budgeting Loan provision to include funeral expenses. This helps where a deposit is required up front, or towards the balance of costs that a Social Fund Funeral Payment cannot meet.</p><p> </p><p>This Government has also introduced the measure whereby any arrears of benefit, which were due to the deceased at date of death, are disregarded. This means that such arrears are no longer deducted from the Funeral Payment award.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 13/01/2015 11:21:37 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

222587

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2015
	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	Social Security Benefits: Multiple Sclerosis
	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 is taking to ensure that the disability benefits regime takes into account the symptoms of multiple sclerosis which are sometimes hidden.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	224772
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Eligibility for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is not based on the type of health condition or impairment an individual may have but the impact it has on their everyday life or their capability for work.</p><p> </p><p>Individuals making a claim for these benefits are assessed by Healthcare Professionals who must complete comprehensive training in disability assessment, including fluctuating conditions; they have their work regularly audited and are required to keep their continuing professional education up to date.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 27/02/2015 13:44:29 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

224053

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2015
	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	Natural Gas: Rented Housing
	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 plans to bring forward proposals to amend Regulation 36 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to introduce MOT-style 13 month gas appliance and flue servicing duties on landlords.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	225517
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2015 answer text <p /> <p>There are no current plans to amend Regulation 36 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 in respect of the provision for landlords’ annual gas safety checks.</p><p> </p><p>The Regulations already clearly set out the legal requirements for landlords to carry out a safety check on gas fittings within 12 months of installation and at intervals of not more than 12 months since they were last checked for safety.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 05/03/2015 13:53:02 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

346962

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	Housing Benefit: Young People
	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 was of housing benefit for 18 to 21 year olds who were (a) in employment, (b) unemployed and (c) inactive in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	239
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2015 answer text <p>The available information is in the table below. Housing Benefit expenditure data for 2014/15 is not yet available.</p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="5">Housing Benefit expenditure for 18 to 21 year olds, £millions, cash terms, GB</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance</td><td>Employed and not in receipt of DWP benefits</td><td>Other</td><td><p>Total</p>18-21</td></tr><tr><td>2012/13</td><td>209</td><td>82</td><td>459</td><td>750</td></tr><tr><td>2013/14</td><td>168</td><td>81</td><td>436</td><td>685</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="5">Housing Benefit expenditure for 18 to 21 year olds, £millions, real terms, 2014/15 prices, GB</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>Receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance</td><td>Employed and not in receipt of DWP benefits</td><td>Other</td><td><p>Total</p>18-21</td></tr><tr><td>2012/13</td><td>218</td><td>85</td><td>476</td><td>779</td></tr><tr><td>2013/14</td><td>171</td><td>82</td><td>443</td><td>696</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and Local Authority subsidy returns</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p>1. Benefit expenditure is available for financial years only. Information for 2014/15 full financial year is not yet available.</p><p> </p><p>2. The actual economic status of Housing Benefit claimants is not recorded, so the table uses receipt of other DWP benefits as a proxy, taking receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) as indicating unemployed status.</p><p> </p><p>3. The ‘other’ category includes claimants in receipt of other DWP benefits (e.g. Income Support). Not all of these will necessarily be economically inactive, as some may be doing very low paid work while in receipt of an out of work benefit, and some may be looking for work, so technically unemployed rather than inactive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 04/06/2015 09:56:11 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

346963

	registered interest
	date	27/05/2015
	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	Housing Benefit: Young People
	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 duration was of housing benefit claims by 18 to 21 year olds who were (a) in employment, (b) unemployed and (c) inactive in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	240
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/06/2015 answer text <p>The duration of claim for Housing Benefit (HB) recipients aged 18 to 21 is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 03/06/2015 11:39:47 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman