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100317

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2014
	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	Carer's Allowance
	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 to link an increase of the earnings threshold for carer's allowance to the rise in the National Minimum Wage.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	211436
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>The earnings threshold in Carer’s Allowance is regularly reviewed. It is designed to enable carers to maintain a link with the labour market and achieve greater financial independence. It is increased periodically, most recently from £100 to £102 on 20 May 2014.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 29/10/2014 17:42:37 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

100770

	registered interest
	date	23/10/2014
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will include data on the average length of time taken to process personal independence payment claims in his Department's next quarterly statistics release.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	211677
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Departmental statisticians are continuing to develop measures around clearance times and waiting times to ensure they provide a rounded and representative picture of personal independence payment performance, improvement activity and the claimants’ experience. These statistics will be published when they are ready, with the release pre-announced in line with United Kingdom Statistics Authority release protocols.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper grouped question UIN 211729 question first answered 28/10/2014 14:04:45 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1010286

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Employment and Support Allowance
	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 processing time for income-related employment support allowance claims where a claimant has a DS1500 medical condition report is.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	192886
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The DS1500 is not a claim form and its use in providing evidential support for claims from people who are terminally ill claiming benefit is not obligatory.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 26/11/2018 11:54:41 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1010287

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons MPs offices have implicit consent arrangements for universal credit applications and advice services require explicit consent to support claimants.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	192887
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>On 13 March 2017 <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2017-03-13/HCWS528/" target="_blank">Written Statement - HCWS528</a> outlined the implicit consent arrangements for MPs.</p><p>Where explicit consent is needed it can be quickly given in different ways. For example, claimants only need to put a note in their journal to give consent; this is a far simpler and more straightforward process than in legacy systems. Once consent is given, advisers will work with the claimant’s representatives.</p><p>In our response to the Social Security Advisory Committee we agreed to explore options for improving the process of explicit consent in relation to Universal Credit in collaboration with the Committee to consider how current practices could be enhanced and to publish a report on our joint conclusions.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 27/11/2018 17:56:29 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1010312

	registered interest
	date	19/11/2018
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department seeks to recover remaining payments on an advance payment for universal credit from the estate of a deceased person.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	192904
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/11/2018 answer text <p>Universal Credit (UC) advances are available to claimants as a form of budgeting support, allowing them to better manage their finances. In most cases an advance would be repaid through a series of monthly deductions from their ongoing UC entitlement. The claimant is able to select the amount of time over which they repay their advance, currently up to a maximum of 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>If an advance is not recovered from the associated benefit claim because the claim ends or there was no entitlement to that benefit, the outstanding balance is treated as if it were an overpayment and referred to the Department’s Debt Management team to arrange recovery.</p><p> </p><p>Where a debtor dies and leaves outstanding Social Security debt, the Department becomes a creditor of the estate and will then make a claim for these debts from the estate. Where it is established that there is no estate the outstanding balance is written off.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 26/11/2018 14:03:00 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

101319

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	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	Housing Benefit
	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 that people entitled to carer's allowance are included in the groups that qualify for the childcare costs earnings disregard for the purposes of calculating housing benefit.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	212199
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The Department has no plans to amend housing benefit regulations to include entitlement to carer’s allowance to the groups who qualify for the childcare costs earnings disregard.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 04/11/2014 15:19:49 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1042292

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	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	Offshore Industry: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the (a) application and (b) enforcement of the UK Continental Shelf of Directive 2013/30/EU on the safety of offshore oil and gas operations in the event that the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019 without a deal.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	209347
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to maintaining health and safety protections for workers when the UK leaves the EU so there is no reason for these standards to change .</p><p> </p><p>The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (SCR15) transposed the health and safety requirements of Directive 2013/30/EU into domestic legislation. All requirements and duties in SCR15 will continue to apply after the UK has left the EU. This will provide certainty and clarity for workers and industry.</p><p> </p><p>Minor technical amendments are required to make sure SCR15 remains operable after EU exit.</p><p>Three amendments are included in <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1370/introduction/made" target="_blank">The Health and Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (SI 218/1370)</a> (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1370/introduction/made). This Statutory Instrument (SI) was laid in Parliament on 18 December 2018.</p><p> </p><p>One further amendment is included in <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2019/9780111176368" target="_blank">The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019</a> (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2019/9780111176368). The draft SI was laid in Parliament on 11 December 2018.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton grouped question UIN 209350 question first answered 24/01/2019 17:30:53 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1042293

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	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	Offshore Safety Directive Regulator
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the (a) Health and Safety Executive and (b) Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the status of the Offshore Safety Directive Regulator after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	209348
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>The Offshore Safety Directive Regulator (OSDR) will continue to function as the competent authority and regulator of the offshore oil and gas major hazard regime after the UK leaves the EU.</p><p> </p><p>This partnership competent authority was set up administratively under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU and arrangements in place will not be affected after exiting the EU.</p><p> </p><p>The legislative requirements of the Directive were transposed into domestic legislation which will continue to apply in the UK after EU exit. OSDR will continue to oversee industry compliance with this legislation and perform its’ regulatory and administrative functions.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 24/01/2019 15:22:53 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1042294

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	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	Offshore Safety Directive Regulator
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Offshore Safety Directive Regulator last updated trade unions organising offshore oil and gas workers.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	209349
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>The Offshore Major Accident Hazards Advisory Committee (OMAHAC) is tripartite in composition. This means that the Offshore Safety Directive Regulator can discuss regulatory developments with both trade union and employers’ representatives. Representatives of both Unite and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are members of OMAHAC and expect to attend all meetings if they are available to do so.</p><p> </p><p>The most recent OMAHAC meeting was held on 18 December 2018 and both Unite and RMT attended the meeting. Most of OMAHAC’s meeting agendas, minutes and attendee lists are available on HSE’s website: <a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/osdr/omahac.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hse.gov.uk/osdr/omahac.htm</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 24/01/2019 17:01:23 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1042295

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	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	Offshore Industry: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the provisions of the Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (OSDR) require amendment in order to continue applying on installations on the UK Continental Shelf after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	209350
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to maintaining health and safety protections for workers when the UK leaves the EU so there is no reason for these standards to change .</p><p> </p><p>The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (SCR15) transposed the health and safety requirements of Directive 2013/30/EU into domestic legislation. All requirements and duties in SCR15 will continue to apply after the UK has left the EU. This will provide certainty and clarity for workers and industry.</p><p> </p><p>Minor technical amendments are required to make sure SCR15 remains operable after EU exit.</p><p>Three amendments are included in <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1370/introduction/made" target="_blank">The Health and Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (SI 218/1370)</a> (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1370/introduction/made). This Statutory Instrument (SI) was laid in Parliament on 18 December 2018.</p><p> </p><p>One further amendment is included in <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2019/9780111176368" target="_blank">The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019</a> (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2019/9780111176368). The draft SI was laid in Parliament on 11 December 2018.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton grouped question UIN 209347 question first answered 24/01/2019 17:30:53 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1042296

	registered interest
	date	16/01/2019
	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	Offshore Industry: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many meetings of the Offshore Major Accident Hazards Advisory Committee (OMAHAC) there have been since March 2016; and if she will list the attendees at each meeting of OMAHAC to date.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	209351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>There have been five OMAHAC meetings since March 2016. OMAHAC’s membership comprises representatives from the following organisations: Health and Safety Executive (HSE); Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning; Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (Regulators); Oil &amp; Gas UK; International Association of Drilling Contractors; British Rig Owners Association; International Marine Contractors Association; Step Change in Safety (Industry Bodies); National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and Unite (Unions). Most of OMAHAC’s meeting agendas, minutes and attendee lists have been made available from HSE’s website: <a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/osdr/omahac.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hse.gov.uk/osdr/omahac.htm</a>.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 24/01/2019 17:23:41 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1088494

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carbon Monoxide: Poisoning
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support festival providers in safeguarding people attending festivals from the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	232008
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2019 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) leads on national occupational health and safety policy for the entertainments and leisure sector, whilst Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing the law at individual events, such as festivals, in their geographical area.</p><p> </p><p>Festival organisers have responsibilities under Section 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees and others, including members of the public, affected by their undertaking. These responsibilities extend to ensuring that equipment, such as gas cookers and BBQs, are maintained and operated in a safe condition.</p><p> </p><p>Disposable BBQs are popular with those attending festivals, and there have been examples where fatalities, arising from exposure to carbon monoxide, have occurred due to BBQs being taken into tents as a source of heat. Festival organisers are expected to take reasonably practicable measures to raise awareness of the potential dangers. Reasonable arrangements should also be in place to monitor the use of disposable BBQs and the behaviour of attendees at the event so that action can be taken to prevent these items being used in enclosed areas.</p><p> </p><p>HSE has published web-based event safety guidance to help event organisers comply with their legal duties (<a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety/index.htm</a>). The Events Industry Forum also produces a guide, known as the Purple Guide, for the live event industry including festival organisers.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 20/03/2019 10:30:58 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1128334

	registered interest
	date	22/05/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance: 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 steps he will take to ensure that young carers who also attend university full-time are eligible for the Carer's Allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	257571
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government recognises and appreciates the vital contribution made by all informal carers.</p><p>We think it is right that people in full-time education should be supported by the educational maintenance system, via its range of loans and grants, rather than the social security benefit system. That is why, as a general principle, full-time students are usually precluded from entitlement to income-related and income-maintenance benefits, including Carer’s Allowance. Part-time students may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance though. This reflects long-standing principles of the benefit system and we have no plans to change the rules.</p><p> </p><p>Department for Work and Pensions officials work very closely with their Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care counterparts to ensure that young carers get the help and support they need.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 07/06/2019 14:16:45 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1133288

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Local Housing Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to restore local housing allowance rates to cover the cheapest third of local rents.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	266787
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>The benefit freeze is coming to an end in March 2020. Specific decisions on how to uprate benefits from April 2020 (including the Local Housing Allowance) will form part of the discussions in support of fiscal events later this year.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/06/2019 12:16:24 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1166746

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Offshore Industry: North Sea
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) representatives of the duty holders of the Thistle oil platform on the evacuation of all workers from the Thistle oil platform to the Dunlin Alpha platform in the North Sea on 21 October 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	6368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions on this matter. The Health and Safety Executive is currently investigating the reasons for the evacuation of the Thistle oil platform. While the investigation is on-going it would be inappropriate to comment further.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2019 18:43:24 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1166748

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Oil Rigs: North Sea
	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 discussed with the Health and Safety Executive the evacuation of all workers from the Thistle oil platform to the Dunlin Alpha platform in the North Sea on 21 October 2019; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	6370
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive is currently investigating the reasons for the evacuation of the Thistle oil platform. While the investigation is on-going it would be inappropriate to comment further.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2019 16:30:22 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1166749

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Oil Rigs: North Sea
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the evacuation of all workers from the Thistle oil platform to the Dunlin Alpha platform in the North Sea on 21 October 2019, when the subsea structure of the Thistle oil platform was due the next mandatory safety inspection by the Health and Safety Executive.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	6371
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The offshore regulatory regime does not place duties on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out mandatory inspections. HSE inspects duty holders’ arrangements for managing major accident risks. HSE carried out an inspection of EnQuest’s management of the structural integrity of its Thistle installation in December 2018. Based on the results of the inspection, HSE had planned a follow-up inspection for November 2019. This follow up has been postponed because of the need to investigate the structural integrity issues that led to the evacuation of the workers on 21 October 2019.</p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2019 16:30:45 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1166750

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Oil Rigs: North Sea
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Health and Safety Executive has provided guidance or advice to EnQuest on conducting preliminary safety inspection of subsea structures of their North Sea assets in the last six months.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	6372
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) last planned inspection of EnQuest’s management of the safety of its subsea structures was in December 2018. Following that inspection, HSE had planned an inspection in November 2019 to evaluate the progress EnQuest had made with its subsea structural analyses and monitoring arrangements. However, this has been postponed as HSE is currently investigating the reasons for the evacuation of EnQuest’s Thistle installation. The investigation findings will inform HSE’s future inspections with EnQuest.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2019 16:45:14 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1166751

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Oil Rigs: North Sea
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Health and Safety Executive plans to complete its investigations into the causes of the recent fires on the (a) Heather Alpha and (b) Tern Alpha North Sea platforms.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	6373
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) investigations into both incidents are on-going and have included mobilisation of multi-discipline investigation teams to each installation. The investigations have already required HSE to serve enforcement notices on each of the installations’ respective duty holders. Enforcement notices are published on HSE’s website nine weeks after they are served, unless the duty holder appeals the notices at an Employment Tribunal.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2019 16:29:07 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1166752

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2019
	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	Offshore Industry: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she last discussed the safety of workers in the offshore oil and gas industry with representatives of (a) trades unions and (b) the oil and gas industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	6374
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and trade unions are members of Step Change in Safety (SCiS) which meets regularly to discuss the safety of the workforce in the offshore sector. In September 2019, an event was organised by SCiS to recognise the influence of the elected safety representatives on offshore safety in the 30 years since legislation was enacted mandating their appointment at all installations in the UKCS. HSE provided speakers and logistical support for this event. The event was attended by over 300 people. It was also live broadcasted worldwide, enabling workers on offshore installations and regulators from other countries to participate.</p><p> </p><p>HSE officials engage with industry leaders through its membership of Oil and Gas UK (OGUK). At OGUK’s annual safety conference in November 2019, industry leaders will be making a formal commitment to improve their Process Safety Leadership. HSE’s Chair will be speaking at that conference, setting out his expectations for industry leaders, including the need to improve their Process Safety Leadership for the management of major hazard risks.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Eastleigh answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 04/11/2019 16:38:15 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1178906

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Wind Power
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the names of the training providers in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales that offer courses in (i) basic safety training and (ii) basic technical training that are required for employment in the offshore wind industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	18380
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>It is a legal duty on all employers within the offshore wind industry to provide sufficient information, instruction and training to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of people in their employment and others who may be affected. It is a matter for each individual employer to decide on how that information, instruction and training is provided, commensurate to the risks. Therefore, HSE does not approve the industry training standards.</p><p> </p><p>HSE is aware of the Global Wind Organisation’s (GWO) training standards and that training providers are audited on a regular basis by the GWO to ensure that training is delivered to those standards. Further information can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.globalwindsafety.org/trainingproviders/findttraningprovider?d19e55cf_page=5" target="_blank">https://www.globalwindsafety.org/trainingproviders/findttraningprovider?d19e55cf_page=5</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/02/2020 16:26:35 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1179130

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Wind Power: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive has taken since 2016 to assess the compliance of (a) basic safety training and (b) basic technical training standards required by employers in the offshore wind industry with domestic health and safety regulations.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	18689
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>In 2012, in response to the emergence of the offshore wind industry, HSE created a dedicated team to regulate the offshore renewable energy industry. In addition to carrying out planned inspection and investigation of injuries and incidents, HSE’s dedicated team has worked with a range of stakeholders to encourage the development of good standards for health and safety. This has included working with industry bodies including the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation (G+) and RenewableUK (RUK).</p><p> </p><p>In November 2015, HSE hosted an industry leaders’ event where a commitment was made by those organisations to further improve industry leadership, increase engagement across the supply chain, develop a common risk reduction programme for the industry and develop and deliver good practice. The industry created a steering group to ensure the effective delivery of improvement. In April 2018, HSE and the industry reviewed progress and were broadly satisfied that progress had been made with a desire to do more.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2012, one of HSE’s priorities has been worker competence to ensure that people work safely. Although HSE does not approve training standards, it has been involved in discussions about the GWO training standards for basic safety. HSE sees the benefit in industry minimum standards of training as it facilitates worker mobility, reduces unnecessary bureaucracy and costs without reducing health and safety standards. However, they make clear to industry that this should be supplemented with an individual training needs analysis to determine the additional training needs for specific tasks required to be carried out safely.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/02/2020 16:19:55 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1179131

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Wind Power: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of employees in the offshore wind industry that hold (a) basic safety training and (b) a basic technical training certification in line with the minimum safety training standards for the industry set by the Global Wind Organisation.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	18690
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>It is a legal duty on all employers within the offshore wind industry to provide sufficient information, instruction and training to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of people in their employment and others who may be affected. It is a matter for each individual employer to decide on how that information, instruction and training is provided, commensurate with the risks. Therefore, HSE does not approve the industry training standards nor keep records of the numbers trained under any individual training scheme.</p><p /><p>At inspections and during investigations, HSE does make thorough inquiries to ensure that workers who go offshore have received basic safety training prior to going offshore and that this is refreshed on a regular basis. That basic safety training covers the following topics: Marine Safety; Work at Height and Escape and Evacuation; First Aid; Fire Awareness; and Manual Handling. In addition, HSE does make inquiries into ensuring job specific training is provided.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/02/2020 16:09:28 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1179133

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Wind Power: Safety
	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 his made of the adequacy of health and safety training standards required by employers for (a) commercial divers, (b) seafarers and (c) technicians for employment the offshore wind industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	18692
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>It is a legal duty on all employers within the offshore wind industry to provide sufficient information, instruction and training to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of people in their employment and others who may be affected. It is a matter for each individual employer to decide on how that information, instruction and training is provided, commensurate to the risks.</p><p> </p><p>HSE does not have a statutory responsibility to approve training courses or standards for the sector. In 2012, HSE created a dedicated team to regulate the sector and that team has conducted inspections and investigations at offshore wind farms, enforcing health and safety legislation in accordance with HSE’s policies and procedures. Where HSE has identified that a duty holder has not provided suitable information, instruction and training, then it has taken action in accordance with its Enforcement Policy Statement (<a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcepolicy.htm" target="_blank">https://www.hse.gov.uk/enforce/enforcepolicy.htm</a>).</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/02/2020 16:38:27 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1179142

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Safety
	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 she has had with (a) ministerial colleagues in the Department for Transport and (b) the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation on changes to the basic offshore safety induction and emergency training standard since the Civil Aviation Authority’s most recent recommendations on improving passenger safety and survivability in the helicopter transport sector of the offshore oil and gas industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	18701
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2020 answer text <p>Offshore helicopter safety falls within the remit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). There have been no recent discussions between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO) on changes to the basic offshore safety induction training (BOSIET) syllabus with respect to helicopter transport. Although HSE has no direct influence on the content of OPITO training syllabuses (it is a matter for OPITO and the offshore Oil and Gas Industry), HSE actively engaged with OPITO/Oil &amp; Gas UK Ltd in September 2015 following the CAA’s decision to introduce the new Category A Emergency Breathing System (EBS) of a compressed-air underwater escape system for offshore helicopter transport.</p><p> </p><p>HSE had no direct involvement in the CAA decision. However, because this system uses compressed air as part of basic offshore survival training it is subject to the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (DAWR). These regulations require anyone diving as part of a work activity to pass a medical carried out by an HSE approved medical Examiner. However, this medical sets an unnecessarily high standard for the type of training undertaken. HSE worked out a balance between allowing realistic OPITO training and the risk of barotrauma to participants. Consequently, in 2015 HSE issued an Exemption Certificate from DAWR to allow training “in pool” to proceed to max depth of 1.5m, provided participants had been passed fit following an examination to a set standard by a registered medical practitioner. Following further consultation with industry, a new exemption certificate was issued in April 2017. This incorporated the medical requirements of the original certificate issued in 2015 for helicopter escape training but allowed for unrestricted medical certificate of fitness for offshore work to be acceptable for shallow water training. A further exemption was issued in 2018 to allow a similar provision for the acceptability of unrestricted medical certificates of fitness to work at sea. All exemptions followed consultation with the industry and allow for the required training to be undertaken whilst still providing a level of protection to those taking part.</p><p> </p><p>There is an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HSE and the CAA that includes arrangements for the regulation of offshore helicopter transport. As part of this MoU, there are regular meetings held between HSE and CAA to discuss offshore helicopter safety-related issues.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/02/2020 16:53:50 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1187731

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that (a) social distancing and (b) other measures to help prevent increasing covid-19 infection rates are enforced among offshore oil and gas workers.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	34979
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2020 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a contributing member of the Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group, which also contains members from OGUK, helicopter operators, oil and gas companies, Step Change in Safety and Health Protection Scotland. The Pandemic Steering Group has developed a protocol and range of measures to give guidance to offshore oil and gas companies on social distancing and other measures to prevent the COVID-19 infection of offshore workers. This has been disseminated to the industry via the OGUK working groups and online communication channels where appropriate and will be supported by the published full guidance document on OGUK’s website early next week.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 22/04/2020 15:40:40 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 16496 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1196306

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Tees Valley
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new universal credit claimants there were in each of the five local authority areas within the Tees Valley in each of the last three months.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	47286
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2020 answer text <p>Information on new Universal Credit claims is not available by local authority. However, data surrounding starts to UC by postcode area is published online and can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a></p><p>This includes data on the number of new Universal Credit claims in the postcode areas of Cleveland and Darlington up to 9<sup>th</sup> April 2020.</p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/05/2020 14:39:58 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1196307

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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 guidance her Department has provided to staff processing claims for universal credit on using a better off calculation when a new claim is received.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	47287
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2020 answer text <p>DWP staff will signpost people to independent benefit calculators where they can check their eligibility for Universal Credit before applying.</p><p> </p><p>The independent benefits calculators we endorse are intended to provide useful estimations of what people can get in certain circumstances, based on what information is entered on the calculators themselves. This is to allow people to safely explore what help they may receive from Universal Credit before they apply, or based on potential changes of circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>For people considering claiming Universal Credit, we have updated our information on gov.uk and on understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk, where links to independent benefit calculators are published.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators</a></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/how-much-youll-get/" target="_blank">https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/how-much-youll-get/</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 26/05/2020 14:42:17 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1203347

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
	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 she has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the provision of covid-19 guidance in the workplace for (a) employers and (b) staff in the offshore oil and gas industry.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	59220
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a contributing member of the Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group (PSG), which also includes members from OGUK, helicopter operators, oil and gas companies, industry associations, medical professionals, Step Change in Safety (SCiS), Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and trade unions, including Unite and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.</p><p> </p><p>The PSG has developed and published a range of guidance for offshore oil and gas companies on measures required to manage the risks of COVID-19 infection. The PSG has also produced guidance specifically for the offshore workforce on the measures oil and gas companies should have in place to manage the risks of COVID-19 offshore: <a href="https://oilandgasuk.co.uk/covid-19/" target="_blank">https://oilandgasuk.co.uk/covid-19/</a> and <a href="https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/workgroups/covid-19/" target="_blank">https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/workgroups/covid-19/</a>. HSE has also supported the PSG in formulating Scottish Government sector guidance which supports working safely offshore during the COVID-19 pandemic: <a href="https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-resources-container/guidance-for-prevention-and-management-of-cases-of-covid-19-on-offshore-installations/" target="_blank">https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-resources-container/guidance-for-prevention-and-management-of-cases-of-covid-19-on-offshore-installations/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 22/06/2020 16:56:33 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1203348

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and (b) Scottish Government on the (i) provision and (ii) uptake of public covid-19 test facilities for offshore oil and gas workers.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	59221
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State and I engage with a wide variety of stakeholders on a regular basis.</p><p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) supports the testing of offshore workers to identify and manage the risks from COVID-19. HSE has given its full support to the Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group (PSG) to help deliver testing for all offshore workers. HSE is in regular communication with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to further support the availability of testing for all offshore workers, including those who are asymptomatic.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 22/06/2020 16:52:02 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1203349

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Wind Power: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) content and (b) availability of covid-19 workplace safety guidance for (i) employers and (ii) staff in the offshore wind industry; and when she last discussed that matter with that industry's representatives.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	59222
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>On 24<sup>th</sup> March 2020, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wrote to the offshore wind industry reminding employers of their legal duty to ensure the health and safety of their workforce. The letter also directed duty holders to the more detailed social distancing guidelines on the Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health Wales websites.</p><p> </p><p>On 26<sup>th</sup> March 2020, HSE met virtually with representatives of major industry duty holders and trade associations to discuss how the industry would comply with social distancing requirements. On 1<sup>st</sup> April 2020 the Renewable Energy Emergency Response Forum (“REEF”) held a meeting at which HSE, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Police and industry representatives agreed that each duty holder would develop their own arrangements to comply with their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, based on the above mentioned social distancing guidelines.</p><p> </p><p>Since then, HSE continues to contact offshore wind farm duty holders to check that they have suitable COVID-19 risk control measures in place.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/06/2020 13:00:32 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1229270

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Bereavement Benefits: Cohabitation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the right for unmarried couples to claim bereavement benefits will extend to people who do not live together but do have a child.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	81891
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2020 answer text <p>Bereavement Support Payment is intended to help with the immediate costs of bereavement following the premature death of a spouse or civil partner. Whilst we intend to take forward a Remedial Order to extend this benefit to cohabitees with children, we have no plans to extend eligibility any further.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 03/09/2020 14:09:46 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1237207

	registered interest
	date	23/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Stockton North
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families with children have received the £20 per week uplift in universal credit standard allowance payments in Stockton North in each month since that uplift was introduced.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	94415
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2020 answer text <p>The available information on the number of households with children on Universal Credit, by parliamentary constituency, is published and can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a></p><p> </p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 28/09/2020 12:10:51 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1239326

	registered interest
	date	30/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Stockton North
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families with children are affected by the benefit cap in Stockton North constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	97574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/10/2020 answer text <p>The available information on the number of households, receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, who are subject to the Benefit Cap, by Family Type and Parliamentary Constituency, is published and can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a></p><p>Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 97722 question first answered 05/10/2020 12:10:27 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1239327

	registered interest
	date	30/09/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Stockton North
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families are affected by the two-child limit on social security benefits in Stockton North in the most recent period for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	97575
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/10/2020 answer text <p>In Stockton North 240 families (or 7% of all households on Universal Credit with at least one child) were affected by the policy in April 2020.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p>1. Families affected means households on Universal Credit reporting a third or subsequent child on or after 6 April 2017 and not receiving a child element/amount.</p><p>2. This data is for households that had an open Universal Credit claim in April 2020, as included in this year’s Two Child Policy Publication.</p><p>3. Percentages rounded to nearest percent and number of families rounded to nearest 10</p><p /> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 12/10/2020 12:16:55 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince previous answer version 51971 answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1244290

	registered interest
	date	19/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What assessment she has made of the potential effect of reducing universal credit and working tax credit by £20 a week in April 2021 on (a) average working age and (b) levels of child poverty.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	907700
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2020 answer text <p>DWP is continuing to work with HMT and other Government Departments to monitor the evolving economic situation and identify the most effective ways to help people. There is a lot of uncertainty involved in projecting incomes and levels of poverty.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 907696 question first answered 19/10/2020 16:06:59 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1245512

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Unemployment: North East
	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 of job losses in (a) Stockton North, (b) the Tees Valley Combined Authority area and (c) the North East on levels of child poverty in each respective area.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	106988
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Protecting families with low incomes during the COVID-19 outbreak is of upmost importance to this government. The policies implemented in response to the outbreak, such as the Job Retention Schemes and the increases to the welfare budget have made a huge difference, particularly to those with low incomes. This was shown in HMT’s recently published distributional analysis about the Impact of COVID-19 on working household incomes. This publication shows that the lowest income decile of working households has seen no fall in income due to Government measures that have been put in place. This is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-covid-19-on-working-household-incomes-distributional-analysis-as-of-may-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-covid-19-on-working-household-incomes-distributional-analysis-as-of-may-2020</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government launched its Plan for Jobs in response the impact of the pandemic. Progress can be seen in the recent launch of Kickstart, the new Job Entry Target Support (JETS), an extension of the Work and Health Programme and the expansion of the Sector-based Work Academy Programme. A New Job Finding Support Service, involving the private sector recruiters, will also be introduced.</p><p> </p><p>National Statistics on the number and percentage of children in low income are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. The rates of children in absolute poverty in the North East region in the three years to 18/19 has decreased, both before and after housing costs, compared to the three years to 09/10.</p><p> </p><p>These statistics can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201819" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201819</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department now publishes supplementary official statistics on the number of children in low income families at constituency level. Children in Low Income Families data is published annually.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures from 2014/15 to 2018/19 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-201415-to-201819" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-201415-to-201819</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 106990 106992 question first answered 02/11/2020 18:01:19 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1245514

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate the Government has made of the number of families that will be affected by the reduction in (a) universal credit and (b) working tax credit by £20 a week in April 2021 in (i) Stockton North constituency and (ii) the Tees Valley Combined Authority area.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	106989
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>No estimate has been made. Volumes will be dependent on the Universal Credit caseload during the period to March 2021.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 02/11/2020 17:49:03 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1245516

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Poverty: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many children were living in poverty in (a) Stockton North constituency and (b) the Tees Valley Combined Authority area in (i) May 2017, (ii) May 2020 and (iii) October 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	106990
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Protecting families with low incomes during the COVID-19 outbreak is of upmost importance to this government. The policies implemented in response to the outbreak, such as the Job Retention Schemes and the increases to the welfare budget have made a huge difference, particularly to those with low incomes. This was shown in HMT’s recently published distributional analysis about the Impact of COVID-19 on working household incomes. This publication shows that the lowest income decile of working households has seen no fall in income due to Government measures that have been put in place. This is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-covid-19-on-working-household-incomes-distributional-analysis-as-of-may-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-covid-19-on-working-household-incomes-distributional-analysis-as-of-may-2020</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government launched its Plan for Jobs in response the impact of the pandemic. Progress can be seen in the recent launch of Kickstart, the new Job Entry Target Support (JETS), an extension of the Work and Health Programme and the expansion of the Sector-based Work Academy Programme. A New Job Finding Support Service, involving the private sector recruiters, will also be introduced.</p><p> </p><p>National Statistics on the number and percentage of children in low income are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. The rates of children in absolute poverty in the North East region in the three years to 18/19 has decreased, both before and after housing costs, compared to the three years to 09/10.</p><p> </p><p>These statistics can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201819" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201819</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department now publishes supplementary official statistics on the number of children in low income families at constituency level. Children in Low Income Families data is published annually.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures from 2014/15 to 2018/19 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-201415-to-201819" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-201415-to-201819</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 106988 106992 question first answered 02/11/2020 18:01:19 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1245517

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Food 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 estimate her Department has made of the number of children living in food insecure households in (a) Stockton North constituency and (b) the Tees Valley Combined Authority area.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	106991
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>There currently is no consistent and accurate measure of food security at a constituency or national level.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 02/11/2020 16:56:10 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1245518

	registered interest
	date	21/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Poverty: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many children lived in (a) poverty and (b) extreme poverty in (i) Stockton North constituency and (ii) the Tees Valley in each of the last 10 years.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	106992
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Protecting families with low incomes during the COVID-19 outbreak is of upmost importance to this government. The policies implemented in response to the outbreak, such as the Job Retention Schemes and the increases to the welfare budget have made a huge difference, particularly to those with low incomes. This was shown in HMT’s recently published distributional analysis about the Impact of COVID-19 on working household incomes. This publication shows that the lowest income decile of working households has seen no fall in income due to Government measures that have been put in place. This is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-covid-19-on-working-household-incomes-distributional-analysis-as-of-may-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-covid-19-on-working-household-incomes-distributional-analysis-as-of-may-2020</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government launched its Plan for Jobs in response the impact of the pandemic. Progress can be seen in the recent launch of Kickstart, the new Job Entry Target Support (JETS), an extension of the Work and Health Programme and the expansion of the Sector-based Work Academy Programme. A New Job Finding Support Service, involving the private sector recruiters, will also be introduced.</p><p> </p><p>National Statistics on the number and percentage of children in low income are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. The rates of children in absolute poverty in the North East region in the three years to 18/19 has decreased, both before and after housing costs, compared to the three years to 09/10.</p><p> </p><p>These statistics can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201819" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-199495-to-201819</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department now publishes supplementary official statistics on the number of children in low income families at constituency level. Children in Low Income Families data is published annually.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures from 2014/15 to 2018/19 can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-201415-to-201819" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-201415-to-201819</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 106988 106990 question first answered 02/11/2020 18:01:20 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1246346

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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 steps his Department is taking to reduce child poverty in (a) Stockton North constituency and (b) the Tees Valley Combined Authority area.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	107646
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/11/2020 answer text <p>Tackling child poverty is a priority for this Government. Our recent focus has been on supporting people financially during these unprecedented times. The Department for Work and Pensions quickly introduced a package of support, including welfare changes worth £9.3 billion this year to help people with the financial consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p>Our long-term ambition remains to level up across the country and continue to tackle child poverty through our reformed welfare system that works with the labour market to encourage parents to move into and progress in work wherever possible.</p><p>Our £30bn Plan for Jobs is the first step on the ladder to achieving this and will support economic recovery through new schemes including Kickstart and Job Entry Targeted Support. We are also doubling the number of work coaches who, through our Jobcentre network, will provide more people with the tailored support they need to move back into work and towards financial independence.</p><p>The Government launched its Plan for Jobs in response the impact of the pandemic. Progress can be seen in the recent launch of Kickstart, the new Job Entry Target Support (JETS), an extension of the Work and Health Programme and the expansion of the Sector-based Work Academy Programme. A New Job Finding Support Service, involving the private sector recruiters, will also be introduced.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 02/11/2020 17:49:10 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1257754

	registered interest
	date	02/12/2020
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Local Housing Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will raise Local Housing Allowance to ensure it covers housing costs.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	124184
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2020 answer text <p>Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates were increased in April 2020, costing almost £1 billion and providing 1.5 million claimants with on average an extra £600 more housing support per year than they would otherwise have received.</p><p> </p><p>In 2021/22 all LHA rates will be maintained at their increased level, meaning claimants renting in the private rented sector will continue to benefit from the significant increase in the rates applied this year.</p><p> </p><p>For those who require additional support with housing costs Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are available. Since 2011 we have provided over £1 billion in DHP funding.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 07/12/2020 16:29:01 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1277611

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	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 she will publish the (a) number of people who had debt deductions from their legacy benefits in each of the last 12 months and (b) total amount recovered in each of those months.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	138958
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2021 answer text <p>The number of people who had debt deductions from their legacy benefits and the value of those deductions for the last twelve months, are detailed in the table below.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Month</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of people who had deductions from Legacy Benefits</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Value of those deductions</strong> <strong> </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Jan-20</strong></p></td><td><p>205,700</p></td><td><p>£11.300m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Feb-20</strong></p></td><td><p>199,200</p></td><td><p>£10.331m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Mar-20</strong></p></td><td><p>200,100</p></td><td><p>£11.849m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Apr-20</strong></p></td><td><p>181,100</p></td><td><p>£10.083m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>May-20</strong></p></td><td><p>162,300</p></td><td><p>£8.454m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Jun-20</strong></p></td><td><p>95,700</p></td><td><p>£3.030m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Jul-20</strong></p></td><td><p>9,000</p></td><td><p>£0.370m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Aug-20</strong></p></td><td><p>66,800</p></td><td><p>£4.326m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Sep-20</strong></p></td><td><p>70,200</p></td><td><p>£4.900m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Oct-20</strong></p></td><td><p>70,200</p></td><td><p>£5.029m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Nov-20</strong></p></td><td><p>72,500</p></td><td><p>£5.361m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Dec-20</strong></p></td><td><p>75,800</p></td><td><p>£5.982m</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>We recognise that there will be some claimants who may be experiencing financial difficulty, and anyone unable to afford the rate of recovery proposed is encouraged to contact DWP Debt Management to review the proposed rate of recovery.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/01/2021 18:08:34 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1306932

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Remote Working
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the additional costs of working from home are taken into account when calculating universal credit payments for claimants who are working from home during covid-19 restrictions.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	178584
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2021 answer text <p>A Universal Credit award is calculated on the basis of the set benefit rate against money coming in, to ensure fairness of treatment for all claimants against the money that they have available. This is a long-standing principle of means-tested benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit rules align closely to tax legislation (Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (ITEPA)). Amounts that are taken into account for a Universal Credit award include those that are general earnings, as defined in section 7(3) of ITEPA. Amounts paid as expenses that are exempt from Income tax under Part 4 of ITEPA are not taken into account for a Universal Credit award.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 15/04/2021 14:38:00 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1355898

	registered interest
	date	15/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will arrange emergency payments for people who have seen their state pension delayed.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	50006
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2021 answer text <p>DWP is aware that a small number of new State Pension claims have been subject to delays in receiving payment.</p><p>The Department is working hard to clear the current backlog, many of which have accrued since the Covid Pandemic.</p><p>We are prioritising overdue payments and payments that are imminent within the next few weeks. Normal service will be resumed by the end of October 2021.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 20/09/2021 13:47:17 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1355899

	registered interest
	date	15/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the delays in processing state pension applications will be resolved.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	50007
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2021 answer text <p>DWP is aware that a small number of new State Pension claims have been subject to delays in receiving payment.</p><p>The Department is working hard to clear the current backlog, many of which have accrued since the Covid Pandemic.</p><p>We are prioritising overdue payments and payments that are imminent within the next few weeks. Normal service will be resumed by the end of October 2021.</p><p>Claimants don’t need to act, we have identified the cases and will process them as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 20/09/2021 13:44:18 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1357240

	registered interest
	date	21/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Unemployment: 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 steps her Department is taking to support unemployed young people; and what plans she has to support job mobility.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	52488
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/10/2021 answer text <p>The Government has provided an unprecedented economic support package to protect and create jobs, including a particular focus on young people.</p><p>The DWP Youth Offer provides wrap-around support to young people aged 18-24 who are in the intensive work search regime of Universal Credit and was introduced as part of the wider UK government Plan for Jobs package. It has been developed to combat youth unemployment and ensure that young people have the skills they need to look for, find and keep employment.</p><p>Through the Youth Employment Programme young people receive intensive Work Coach support and every young person is encouraged to take part in a wide range of work based opportunities including Kickstart placements, Sector Based Work Academy Programmes, traineeships, Mentoring Circles or apprenticeships, which can be taken up at any point in the 13-week programme.</p><p>This sits alongside Youth Hubs that are co-located and co-delivered with external partners to support young people with skills gaps, and Youth Employability Coaches that help those with significant complex needs and barriers into the labour market.</p><p>We currently have over 135 new Youth Hubs physically open to support young people across Great Britain and 150 Youth Employability Coaches, delivering tailored employment &amp; skills support for those most at risk of longer term unemployment.</p><p>To support job mobility for people of all ages, we are supporting claimants to access the skills and training opportunities delivered by the Department for Education and devolved Governments, through our DWP Train and Progress initiative across Great Britain. This includes the expansion of the successful Sector-based Work Academy Programme in England and Scotland. Where it will help people into work, DWP claimants can access sector-specific training provided as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, including L3 Skills Boot camps of up to 16 weeks’ full time while remaining on benefit.</p><p>Additionally, we recognise that people need the skills and opportunities to progress, build their careers and increase their earnings. The independent In-Work Progression Commission published its report on the barriers to progression for those in persistent low pay on 1 July 2021. It makes a number of recommendations for the Government which we will consider carefully and respond to later in the year.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 18/10/2021 11:56:57 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1379961

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Disqualification
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she will publish the Department for Work and Pensions report into the efficacy of benefits sanctions.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	77445
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2021 answer text <p>We do not plan to publish a report on the sanctions evaluation as we were unable to assess the deterrent effect and therefore this research doesn’t present a comprehensive picture of sanctions.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/11/2021 16:13:29 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1381828

	registered interest
	date	24/11/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Offshore Industry: Continental Shelf
	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 she has had with the Health and Safety Executive’s Energy Division on the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on backlogs of safety critical maintenance work on oil and gas installations on the UK Continental Shelf; and if she will list any recent actions that the HSE has taken against duty holders in this area.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	80980
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2021 answer text <p>No recent discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Energy Division on this specific issue. Recognising the potential impact of the pandemic in 2020, HSE wrote to production installation duty holders with a detailed question set on maintenance and inspection backlogs, in order to evaluate and quantify the specific impact of pandemic-related down-manning on backlog. HSE’s analysis of the data provided in response to its question set indicated an increase in backlogs. This was because duty holders had postponed maintenance shutdowns because their approach to managing the risk of COVID infection required reduced manning levels that were insufficient to undertake the shutdowns.</p><p> </p><p>HSE took the following steps:</p><p>(i) Identified at the outset of the pandemic that maintenance would be affected and carried out inspections using the existing ‘<em>Maintenance management’</em> Inspection Guide, which HSE developed in 2014 specifically to address backlogs.</p><p>(ii) Worked with duty holders to look at alternative ways of carrying out the work, such as mini shutdowns and the use of “flotels” and walk-to-work vessels etc.</p><p>(iii) Set up a working group with Oil &amp; Gas UK and its members to specifically look at addressing the backlog issue.</p><p>(iv) Took enforcement action where backlogs were not being managed safely.</p><p>(v) Set up a program of Process Safety Leadership inspections starting in Q1 2022, of which asset integrity and maintenance backlog will form a key component.</p><p>(vi) Worked with senior industry integrity personnel in the Asset Integrity Task Group to highlight and address the issue.</p><p>(vii) Repeating the data gathering exercise in Q1 2022 to check that duty holders are managing their backlogs as they stated and to take enforcement action if they are not.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 29/11/2021 18:08:17 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham