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1700028

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2024
	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	Workplace Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people opted out of auto-enrolment workplace pension schemes in each of the last ten years for which figures are available.
	tabling member constituency	Hayes and Harlington
	tabling member printed	John McDonnell
	uin	20845
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The data requested for the number of people who opted out of automatic enrolment workplace pension schemes in each of the last ten years is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.</p><p> </p><p>The department makes regular publications of the data that is held, including the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/workplace-pension-participation-and-savings-trends-2009-to-2022/workplace-pension-participation-and-savings-trends-of-eligible-employees-2009-to-2022" target="_blank"><em>Workplace Pension Participation and Savings Trends</em></a>, which is available on GOV.UK. This publication includes aggregated data from large private pension providers in which the proportion of new member enrolments to have opted-out of workplace pension saving stood at 11.79% in July 2023. Over the period from January 2020 to July 2023, these opt-out rates have fluctuated between a low of 7.03% and a high of 12.23%. From the same aggregated private pension provider data, the proportion of pension scheme members making an active decision to cease saving was 0.50% in July 2023.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 10:02:23 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	178 label Biography information for John McDonnell

1700288

	registered interest
	date	12/04/2024
	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	Children: Maintenance
	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 ensure that people pay the full child maintenance costs for which they are liable.
	tabling member constituency	Wansbeck
	tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
	uin	21039
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has a range of enforcement powers at its disposal to ensure parents meet their financial obligations to their children.</p><p>These include deductions directly from earnings and bank accounts, using Enforcement Agents (previously known as bailiffs) to take control of goods, forcing the sale of property, removal of driving licence or UK passport or even commitment to prison.</p><p>The Child Support (Enforcement) Act received Royal Assent in 2023. This creates a primary power to replace court-based liability orders with administrative orders, which should significantly speed up this key enforcement process.</p><p> </p><p>We have concluded a public consultation to support regulations to implement administrative liability orders. The Government published their response on 12 February 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Secondary legislation is now being developed, which, once implemented, will reduce the process from 22 weeks to as low as 6 weeks. This will be brought forward as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 15:35:55 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1699325

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2024
	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	Workplace Pensions: Private Sector
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies that around 3.5 million private sector employees do not pay anything into their pensions in a given year, and what they will do to address this.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Effingham
	uin	HL3668
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>Automatic Enrolment has already seen more than 11 million people enrolled into pension saving to date, with around an additional £29 billion in real terms saved into workplace pensions in 2021 compared to 2012.</p><p> </p><p>Automatic Enrolment (AE) is and will continue to be based on the principle of extending saving to as many people as possible for whom it makes sense to save. We remain committed to increasing the number of employees who are saving, through implementing the AE 2017 Review measures to lower the age for being automatically enrolled to 18 and abolishing the lower earnings band for workplace pension contributions, which will disproportionately benefit lower earners, giving them access to an employer pension contribution for the first time. This will see 3 million people saving £2 billion extra a year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supported the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Act 2023 which gives us the legislative powers to implement the expansion of AE subject to consultation. We remain committed to doing this in the mid-2020s.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/04/2024 15:11:15 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4958 label Biography information for The Earl of Effingham

1698884

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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 Schemes: Costs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18113 on Jobcentres: Finance, what the cost to the public purse was of the two incentive pilot programmes.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester West
	tabling member printed	Liz Kendall
	uin	20603
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Incentive pilots were funded from within the Department’s existing Reward and Recognition budget at no additional cost to the public purse.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 10:41:15 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4026 label Biography information for Liz Kendall

1698885

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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 Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18113 on Jobcentres: Finance, what the individual incentives are in the two incentive pilot programmes for work coaches supporting people into work.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester West
	tabling member printed	Liz Kendall
	uin	20604
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>DWP ran an initial incentives pilot for a 6-month period from March 2023 until August 2023. A second phase of the incentives pilot commenced 1 January 2024 and ended on 31 March 2024. The pilot was in line with existing Reward and Recognition policy, with vouchers between £95 and £250 issued to individuals working in those Jobcentres that qualify for an award.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 10:45:01 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4026 label Biography information for Liz Kendall

1698887

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Fraud
	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 paragraph 4.58 of the Office for Budget Responsibility publication entitled Economic and Fiscal Outlook, published in March 2024, whether he has made an estimate of future trends in the level of fraud in Universal Credit claims.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester West
	tabling member printed	Liz Kendall
	uin	20606
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>DWP produces forecasts of overpayments in the benefit system as part of its forecasts for benefit expenditure. These are reviewed and agreed by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which uses them as part of its fiscal forecasting and to evaluate policy costings.</p><p> </p><p>As per our commitment published in the Treasury Minutes, <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/43758/documents/217144/default/" target="_blank">CP 1029 – Treasury Minutes – Government Response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Eightieth report from Session 2022-23 and the First to the Sixth reports from Session 2023-24 (parliament.uk)</a>, we will set out our forecast in the Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 23/24, expected to be published later this year.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:23:30 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4026 label Biography information for Liz Kendall

1698916

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Unemployed People: Basic Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help individuals out of work improve their (a) numeracy and (b) literacy skills.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	20685
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches engage with customers to better understand the steps needed to support their work search. Where essential skills needs are identified as a barrier to securing or progressing in employment, customers can be referred to available local provision which can include essential maths and numeracy training available through Multiply, English (literacy and English as a Second Language, ESOL) and digital skills, as well as other key vocational focussed opportunities.</p><p> </p><p>Through DWP Train and Progress the length of time Universal Credit (UC) customers can undertake work-focused training has been extended. UC claimants are now able to attend full-time work-related training for up to 16 weeks.</p><p>For customers in England, we have ongoing collaboration at a national and local level with the Department for Education who fund adult education through the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Learning providers, many of which are Further Education colleges, deliver training to address customer skills needs in line with labour market demand. As skills is a devolved matter, similar discussions take place with key stakeholders in the Scottish and Welsh Governments to help ensure the employment and skills support offered to claimants in the devolved nations is aligned.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 10:48:47 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1698917

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Unemployed People: ICT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help encourage individuals out of work to undertake (a) digital and (b) IT qualifications.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	20686
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches will engage with customers to better understand the steps needed to support their work search ambitions. Where digital skills are identified as a barrier to securing or progressing in employment, customers can be referred to available local provision. For customers in England, we have ongoing collaboration at a national and local level with the Department for Education who fund adult education provision via the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Learning providers, many of which are Further Education colleges, deliver training to address claimant skills needs in line with Labour Market demand. As skills is a devolved matter, similar discussions take place with key stakeholders in the Scottish and Welsh Governments to help ensure the employment and skills support offered to customers in the devolved nations is aligned.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Work Coaches in England can use the additional flexibility available through DWP Train and Progress to signpost claimants to the Department for Education’s Digital Skills Bootcamps, which can last up to 16 weeks.</p><p> </p><p>For digitally excluded working age out-of-work and in-work Universal Credit customers, Work Coaches can also use the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) to procure devices, dongle, talk time, and 6 months superfast broadband in the home where the Work Coach believes this will support Labour Market progression. DWP has also ensured that all operational staff in Jobcentres, Universal Credit service centres, Pension Centres, and partnership managers who engage with customers and stakeholders are able to signpost to information promoting broadband social tariffs made accessible to claimants through DWP’s Application Programme Interface.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 11:06:24 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1698919

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Adult Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure that job centres work with Further Education colleges to support adult learners to gain skills and qualifications.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	20687
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>For customers in England, we have ongoing collaboration at a national and local level with the Department for Education who fund adult education via the Adult Education Budget (AEB). Learning providers, many of which are Further Education colleges, deliver training to address customer skills needs in line with labour market demand. As skills is a devolved matter, similar discussions take place with stakeholders in the Scottish and Welsh Governments.</p><p> </p><p>Local Jobcentre Plus partnership teams work directly with colleges and training providers in their area to ensure claimants have access to the right skills support. In England, this partnership is facilitated in part by the Department for Education’s employer representative body led Local Skills improvement Partnerships.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 10:51:24 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1698969

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Chronic Illnesses
	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 take steps to review planned changes to the Work Capability Assessment to reflect the impact on people with (a) Parkinson's and (b) other long-term conditions.
	tabling member constituency	Bootle
	tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
	uin	20661
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) assesses individuals against a set of descriptors to determine how their health condition or disability affects their ability to work. The WCA takes into account the functional effects of fluctuating and degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s. A key principle is that the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on them, not the condition itself.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants with the most severe health conditions and disabilities whose condition is unlikely to ever improve are no longer routinely reassessed.</p><p> </p><p>From 2025, we are reforming the WCA to reflect new flexibilities in the labour market and greater employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions, whilst maintaining protections for those with the most significant conditions. Claimants who currently have no work-related requirements, except in some very limited circumstances, will not be reassessed or lose benefit because of these changes.</p><p> </p><p>When making decisions on changes to the WCA, we carefully considered over 1300 consultation responses, including from disabled people, people with health conditions, and the organisations that represent and support them. We also engaged directly with clinical experts, employer groups and disability organisations across the country.</p><p> </p><p>With these changes to the WCA criteria, 371,000 fewer people will be assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity by 2028-29 and will receive personalised support to help them move closer to employment. A further 29,000 individuals will be found fit for work by 2028-29 and will receive more intensive support to search for and secure work than would be the case under the current WCA rules. These figures are not based on specific conditions. This is because the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.</p><p /><p>The department routinely engages with a wide range of organisations that represent and support disabled people and people with health conditions, including people living with Parkinson’s disease.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 20626 20627 20662 question first answered 16/04/2024 15:51:17 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1698970

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Parkinson's Disease
	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 meet with Parkinson’s UK and the hon. Member for Bootle to discuss the experience of people with Parkinson’s in the social security system.
	tabling member constituency	Bootle
	tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
	uin	20662
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) assesses individuals against a set of descriptors to determine how their health condition or disability affects their ability to work. The WCA takes into account the functional effects of fluctuating and degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s. A key principle is that the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on them, not the condition itself.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants with the most severe health conditions and disabilities whose condition is unlikely to ever improve are no longer routinely reassessed.</p><p> </p><p>From 2025, we are reforming the WCA to reflect new flexibilities in the labour market and greater employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions, whilst maintaining protections for those with the most significant conditions. Claimants who currently have no work-related requirements, except in some very limited circumstances, will not be reassessed or lose benefit because of these changes.</p><p> </p><p>When making decisions on changes to the WCA, we carefully considered over 1300 consultation responses, including from disabled people, people with health conditions, and the organisations that represent and support them. We also engaged directly with clinical experts, employer groups and disability organisations across the country.</p><p> </p><p>With these changes to the WCA criteria, 371,000 fewer people will be assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity by 2028-29 and will receive personalised support to help them move closer to employment. A further 29,000 individuals will be found fit for work by 2028-29 and will receive more intensive support to search for and secure work than would be the case under the current WCA rules. These figures are not based on specific conditions. This is because the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.</p><p /><p>The department routinely engages with a wide range of organisations that represent and support disabled people and people with health conditions, including people living with Parkinson’s disease.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 20626 20627 20661 question first answered 16/04/2024 15:51:17 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

1698989

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Parkinson's Disease
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to Work Capability Assessments on people with Parkinson's disease.
	tabling member constituency	North Tyneside
	tabling member printed	Mary Glindon
	uin	20626
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) assesses individuals against a set of descriptors to determine how their health condition or disability affects their ability to work. The WCA takes into account the functional effects of fluctuating and degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s. A key principle is that the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on them, not the condition itself.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants with the most severe health conditions and disabilities whose condition is unlikely to ever improve are no longer routinely reassessed.</p><p> </p><p>From 2025, we are reforming the WCA to reflect new flexibilities in the labour market and greater employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions, whilst maintaining protections for those with the most significant conditions. Claimants who currently have no work-related requirements, except in some very limited circumstances, will not be reassessed or lose benefit because of these changes.</p><p> </p><p>When making decisions on changes to the WCA, we carefully considered over 1300 consultation responses, including from disabled people, people with health conditions, and the organisations that represent and support them. We also engaged directly with clinical experts, employer groups and disability organisations across the country.</p><p> </p><p>With these changes to the WCA criteria, 371,000 fewer people will be assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity by 2028-29 and will receive personalised support to help them move closer to employment. A further 29,000 individuals will be found fit for work by 2028-29 and will receive more intensive support to search for and secure work than would be the case under the current WCA rules. These figures are not based on specific conditions. This is because the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.</p><p /><p>The department routinely engages with a wide range of organisations that represent and support disabled people and people with health conditions, including people living with Parkinson’s disease.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 20627 20661 20662 question first answered 16/04/2024 15:51:17 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4126 label Biography information for Mary Glindon

1698990

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Parkinson's Disease
	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 hold discussions with (a) the hon. Member for North Tyneside and (b) Parkinson's UK on the potential impact of the social security system on people living with Parkinson's disease.
	tabling member constituency	North Tyneside
	tabling member printed	Mary Glindon
	uin	20627
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) assesses individuals against a set of descriptors to determine how their health condition or disability affects their ability to work. The WCA takes into account the functional effects of fluctuating and degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s. A key principle is that the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on them, not the condition itself.</p><p> </p><p>Claimants with the most severe health conditions and disabilities whose condition is unlikely to ever improve are no longer routinely reassessed.</p><p> </p><p>From 2025, we are reforming the WCA to reflect new flexibilities in the labour market and greater employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions, whilst maintaining protections for those with the most significant conditions. Claimants who currently have no work-related requirements, except in some very limited circumstances, will not be reassessed or lose benefit because of these changes.</p><p> </p><p>When making decisions on changes to the WCA, we carefully considered over 1300 consultation responses, including from disabled people, people with health conditions, and the organisations that represent and support them. We also engaged directly with clinical experts, employer groups and disability organisations across the country.</p><p> </p><p>With these changes to the WCA criteria, 371,000 fewer people will be assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity by 2028-29 and will receive personalised support to help them move closer to employment. A further 29,000 individuals will be found fit for work by 2028-29 and will receive more intensive support to search for and secure work than would be the case under the current WCA rules. These figures are not based on specific conditions. This is because the WCA considers the impact that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the condition itself.</p><p /><p>The department routinely engages with a wide range of organisations that represent and support disabled people and people with health conditions, including people living with Parkinson’s disease.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 20626 20661 20662 question first answered 16/04/2024 15:51:17 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4126 label Biography information for Mary Glindon

1699009

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	AEA Group: Workplace Pensions
	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 Third Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of 2023-24 on Defined benefit pension schemes, HC 144, published on 26 March 2024 and the Fifty-Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of 2022-23 on AEA Technology Pension Case, HC 1005, published on 14 June 2023, if he will publish a redress scheme for AEA Technology pension scheme members by 23 July 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Mole Valley
	tabling member printed	Sir Paul Beresford
	uin	20493
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>This is a complex issue, which spans the responsibility of several departments. My officials are in discussion with their counterparts at the Cabinet Office.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the government’s response to the Third Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of 2023-24 on Defined Benefit pension schemes (HC144) we will carefully consider this issue, involving other relevant departments as appropriate and respond in due course.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 10:05:15 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	103 label Biography information for Sir Paul Beresford

1699026

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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 Pension Regulations 2015
	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 potential impact of the provisions of the State Pension Regulations 2015 which prevent individuals from taking (a) a lump sum payment and (b) an enhanced pension on the finances of pensioners.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
	tabling member printed	Gavin Newlands
	uin	20671
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>No such specific assessment has been made.</p><p> </p><p>The Government prepared an impact assessment which looked at the effect of the new State Pension reforms overall on the various types of income that pensioners receive from the state, available at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7df7e6ed915d74e33ef30d/pensions-act-ia-annex-a-single-tier-state-pension.pdf" target="_blank">The single-tier pension: a simple foundation for saving - Impact Assessment (publishing.service.gov.uk).</a></p><p> </p><p>This included estimates on the impacts of changes to deferral policy.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 10:08:06 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4420 label Biography information for Gavin Newlands

1699027

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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 Pension Regulations 2015
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to amend the State Pension Regulations 2015 to allow deferred pension entitlement accrued by individuals not (a) married and (b) in a civil partnership to be considered part of their estate upon death.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
	tabling member printed	Gavin Newlands
	uin	20672
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government has no plans to amend the State Pension Regulations 2015.</p><p> </p><p>These regulations make transitional provisions enabling a person in the new State Pension system to inherit a deferral payment where their deceased spouse or civil partner had deferred an old State Pension.</p><p> </p><p>Apart from transitional rules, it is no longer possible for a spouse or civil partner to inherit or derive State Pension entitlement from their partner, under the new State Pension system, introduced in 2016.</p><p> </p><p>If an individual is not married or in a civil partnership, it is possible for an arrears payment to made to the deceased's estate under Regulation 30 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987. A maximum of three months arrears of State Pension may be awarded which may include arrears of extra State Pension accrued by the deferral.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 10:11:14 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4420 label Biography information for Gavin Newlands

1699042

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pensions: Consumer Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of users that will have accessed Pensions Dashboards by (a) 30 April 2025 and (b) 31 October 2026.
	tabling member constituency	Blaenau Gwent
	tabling member printed	Nick Smith
	uin	20580
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>Pensions dashboard services will become available for widespread use by the general public at the Dashboards Available Point. A specific date for the Dashboards Available Point cannot yet be determined as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions must first have regard to a number of relevant matters, including sufficient level of coverage, assurance of the safety, security and reliability of the service and testing of the user experience. Once satisfied that the dashboards ecosystem is ready to support widespread use, following consultation with the Money and Pensions Service, The Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority, the Secretary of State will then issue a notice at least six months in advance of the launch of pensions dashboard services for use by the general public.</p><p>Under the central scenario (best estimate) in the impact assessment for the Pensions Dashboards (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (which can be found at: <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2023/89/pdfs/ukia_20230089_en.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2023/89/pdfs/ukia_20230089_en.pdf</a>), we estimate the number of users of pensions dashboard services will increase to around 16 million in the years following the Dashboards Available Point.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:57:57 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	3928 label Biography information for Nick Smith

1699045

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pensions: Consumer Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when users of the new Pensions Dashboard will be able to access financial information relating to their pensions.
	tabling member constituency	Blaenau Gwent
	tabling member printed	Nick Smith
	uin	20581
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>Users of pensions dashboard services will be able to access financial information relating to their pensions at the Dashboards Available Point. The Dashboards Available Point is the point at which pensions dashboard services will be available for widespread use by the general public.</p><p> </p><p>A specific date for the Dashboards Available Point cannot yet be determined as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions must first have regard to a number of relevant matters, including sufficient level of coverage, assurance of the safety, security and reliability of the service and testing of the user experience. Once satisfied that the dashboards ecosystem is ready to support widespread use, following consultation with the Money and Pensions Service, The Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority, the Secretary of State will then issue a notice at least six months in advance of the launch of pensions dashboard services for use by the general public.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:19:42 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	3928 label Biography information for Nick Smith

1699052

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Fraud
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the (a) Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service, (b) Enhanced Checking Service, (c) Risk Review Team, (d) Enhanced Review Teams, (e) Universal Credit advances claims decision risk model, (f) Common Risk Engine, (g) General Matching Service, (h) Fraud Referral and Intervention Management System, (i) Targeted Case Review and (j) any other systems rely on artificial intelligence, machine learning or algorithmic processes for fraud detection.
	tabling member constituency	Oldham East and Saddleworth
	tabling member printed	Debbie Abrahams
	uin	20635
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>As set out in the Department’s 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts (page 308 to 310), DWP uses advanced analytics to tackle fraud and error. These analytics include a variety of sophisticated techniques including the use of machine learning to identify patterns in claims that could suggest fraud or error, so that these claims can be reviewed by relevant DWP teams such as the Enhanced Review Team. The final decision on benefit entitlement is made by a human caseworker.</p><p> </p><p>The National Audit Office confirm that DWP have governance and processes in place to monitor the bias of these models.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 09:57:41 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4212 label Biography information for Debbie Abrahams

1699054

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Fraud
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether any of the claim detection criteria in the targeted case review system are applied by or operated through artificial intelligence, machine learning or algorithmic processes.
	tabling member constituency	Oldham East and Saddleworth
	tabling member printed	Debbie Abrahams
	uin	20636
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>As set out in the Department’s 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts (page 308 to 310), DWP uses a range of advanced analytics to identify patterns in claims that could suggest fraud or error, so that these claims can be reviewed by relevant DWP teams including Targeted Case Review agents. The final decision on benefit entitlement is made by a human caseworker.</p><p> </p><p>The National Audit Office confirm that DWP have governance and processes in place to monitor the bias of these models.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 09:53:56 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4212 label Biography information for Debbie Abrahams

1699157

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Health and Safety: Coronavirus
	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 pursued prosecution of (a) public and (b) private sector employers for failure to abide by health and safety legislation during the Covid 19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Poplar and Limehouse
	tabling member printed	Apsana Begum
	uin	20796
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA) 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It sets out the general duties which employers have towards employees and members of the public, employees have to themselves and to each other and certain self-employed have towards themselves and others.</p><p> </p><p>HSWA applies equally across all workplaces in all industry sectors and does not distinguish between either public or private sector duty-holders. As such, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would not routinely differentiate or record this information.</p><p> </p><p>The prosecution data below is for the time period of the 1<sup>st</sup> April 2020 and the 31<sup>st</sup> March 2022, this being the timeframe of the pandemic prior to HSE returning to business as usual. The figures are for all prosecutions taken under health and safety legislation which were published in the HSE Annual Report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614339a2e90e0704352cbc06/hse-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-2021.pdf" target="_blank">2020/21</a> and <a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20230103121204/https:/www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/the-annual-report-and-accounts.htm" target="_blank">2021/22</a> respectively and are not Covid specific.</p><p> </p><p>HSE pursued 206 prosecutions in 2020/21, with a 94% conviction rate, and 290 prosecutions in 2021/22, with a 96% conviction rate. A total of 496 prosecutions across the period referred to.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 15:41:04 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4790 label Biography information for Apsana Begum

1699159

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Health and Safety: Coronavirus
	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 is investigating (a) public and (b) private sector employers for failure to abide by health and safety legislation during the Covid 19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Poplar and Limehouse
	tabling member printed	Apsana Begum
	uin	20797
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA) 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It sets out the general duties which employers have towards employees and members of the public, employees have to themselves and to each other and certain self-employed have towards themselves and others.</p><p> </p><p>HSWA applies equally across all workplaces in all industry sectors and does not distinguish between either public or private sector duty-holders. As such, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would not routinely differentiate or record this information.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 15:44:45 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4790 label Biography information for Apsana Begum

1699160

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Health and Safety: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether any (a) public and (b) private sector employer has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive for failure to abide by health and safety legislation during the Covid 19 pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Poplar and Limehouse
	tabling member printed	Apsana Begum
	uin	20798
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Health and Safety at Work etc Act (HSWA) 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It sets out the general duties which employers have towards employees and members of the public, employees have to themselves and to each other and certain self-employed have towards themselves and others.</p><p> </p><p>HSWA applies equally across all workplaces in all industry sectors and does not distinguish between either public or private sector duty-holders. As such, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would not routinely differentiate or record this information.</p><p> </p><p>Reports received by HSE are generally in the form of a ‘concern’. These can be in relation to any health and safety issue in the workplace and can be submitted via HSE’s online <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm" target="_blank">reporting portal</a>.</p><p>Between the 1<sup>st</sup> April 2020 and the 31st March 2022, this being the timeframe of the pandemic prior to HSE returning to business as usual, HSE handled over 70,000 concerns about health and safety in the workplace.</p><p> </p><p>However, not all of these concerns were in relation to a failure to abide by health and safety legislation, some were requests for general health and safety advice, support, and guidance. This data has been published in the HSE Annual Report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614339a2e90e0704352cbc06/hse-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-2021.pdf" target="_blank">2020/21</a> and <a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20230103121204/https:/www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/the-annual-report-and-accounts.htm" target="_blank">2021/22</a> respectively and is not Covid specific.</p><p /> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 15:47:41 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4790 label Biography information for Apsana Begum

1699164

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Poverty
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of levels of in-work poverty in Poplar and Limehouse constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Poplar and Limehouse
	tabling member printed	Apsana Begum
	uin	20802
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>Statistics are not available at the constituency level.</p><p> </p><p>National Statistics on the number and percentage of people in “in-work poverty”, including regional-level data, is published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. This can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-for-financial-years-ending-1995-to-2023" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p /><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 10:51:06 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4790 label Biography information for Apsana Begum

1699166

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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: Death
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Prevention of Future Deaths Reports have related to (a) universal credit and (b) other benefits in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Poplar and Limehouse
	tabling member printed	Apsana Begum
	uin	20803
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department has received 6 Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports in the last five years to date. 1 report did not relate to a customer who was in receipt of benefits. The breakdown of the reports by year and the benefit claimed is provided in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Number of PFD reports received in the last 5 years</p></td><td><p>Universal Credit (UC)</p></td><td><p>Personal Independence Payment (PIP)</p></td><td><p>Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and PIP</p></td><td><p>Not in Receipt of Benefits</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1*</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2022</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2023</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2024</p></td><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>* This report related to Child Maintenance.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 15:31:17 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4790 label Biography information for Apsana Begum

1699184

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Brain: Injuries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on classification as an industrial injury of neurodegenerative conditions linked to repeated head impacts.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley East
	tabling member printed	Stephanie Peacock
	uin	20737
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department is advised by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), an independent scientific body, on changes to the list of occupational diseases for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) can be paid. IIAC is currently considering whether there is a link between certain neurodegenerative diseases and professional sportspeople.</p><p> </p><p>IIAC has reviewed over 100 studies relating to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and will need to give more consideration to the evidence before it can make a decision. IIAC will also likely consult experts (neurologists) in this field and will then publish its findings when the investigation is complete.</p><p> </p><p>It would be premature to speculate on how the Council’s investigation will progress or whether there is enough evidence of a link between certain neurodegenerative diseases and professional sportspeople to meet the threshold for a new ‘prescribed disease’ to be recommended by IIAC for the purpose of IIDB entitlement.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>If recommendations are made by IIAC on this matter, they will be carefully considered by the Department.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/04/2024 15:57:23 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4607 label Biography information for Stephanie Peacock

1699195

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Mining
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 1 March 2024 to Question 15320 on Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: Mining, for what reason not all applicants for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits receive compensation.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley East
	tabling member printed	Stephanie Peacock
	uin	20739
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>In order to be entitled to an award of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), claimants must meet all the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant legislation. Claims may be disallowed prior to any medical assessment where certain entitlement criteria are not met (e.g. conditions around employed earner’s employment are not met, or the claimant does not satisfy the occupational criteria associated with the disease they are claiming for).</p><p> </p><p>Claims for IIDB may also be disallowed following a medical assessment if the entitlement criteria are not met, for example, if it is established at assessment that the customer does not have one of the diseases set out in the relevant legislation.</p><p> </p><p>There is not normally entitlement to a payable award of IIDB where disablement is assessed at less than 14%, with exceptions for some prescribed diseases as set out in legislation. In these cases, it is accepted that the customer is suffering from the prescribed disease, but they may not be entitled to a payable award of IIDB.</p><p> </p><p>However, IIDB may still be payable for people who claim for more than one accident or disease and the total disablement, when the effects of all the accidents and diseases are added together, is 14% or more.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/04/2024 15:54:59 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4607 label Biography information for Stephanie Peacock

1699232

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Household Support Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget Statement on 6 March that the Household Support Fund has been extended until September, what support they will provide to local authorities when the fund ends.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon
	uin	HL3622
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>As announced by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget on 6 March, the government is providing an additional £500m to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund, including funding for the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. This means that Local Authorities in England will receive an additional £421m to support those in need locally through the Household Support Fund.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The funding will be available to Local Authorities in England from 1 April 2024 and will run until 30 September 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The Household Support Fund is not the only way we are supporting people on lower incomes. April’s benefit uprating of 6.7% will see an average increase in Universal Credit of £470, raising the National Living Wage will deliver an increase of over £1800 to the gross annual earnings of someone working full-time on that wage, and uplifting Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of local rents will benefit 1.6 million private renters by, on average, £800 a year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also delivered a balanced package of funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 which makes available up to £64.7 billion. The most relatively deprived areas of England will receive 18% more per dwelling in available resource through the 2024-25 Settlement than the least deprived areas.</p><p> </p><p>As announced by the Chancellor in this year’s Spring Budget, we are also doubling the repayment period for new Universal Credit Budgeting Advances.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL3623 HL3624 question first answered 08/04/2024 15:13:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4290 label Biography information for Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

1699233

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Household Support Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget Statement on 6 March that the Household Support Fund has been extended until September, what assessment they have made of the position of local authorities who had already reduced their local crisis support services and disbanded delivery teams.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon
	uin	HL3623
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>As announced by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget on 6 March, the government is providing an additional £500m to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund, including funding for the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. This means that Local Authorities in England will receive an additional £421m to support those in need locally through the Household Support Fund.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The funding will be available to Local Authorities in England from 1 April 2024 and will run until 30 September 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The Household Support Fund is not the only way we are supporting people on lower incomes. April’s benefit uprating of 6.7% will see an average increase in Universal Credit of £470, raising the National Living Wage will deliver an increase of over £1800 to the gross annual earnings of someone working full-time on that wage, and uplifting Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of local rents will benefit 1.6 million private renters by, on average, £800 a year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also delivered a balanced package of funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 which makes available up to £64.7 billion. The most relatively deprived areas of England will receive 18% more per dwelling in available resource through the 2024-25 Settlement than the least deprived areas.</p><p> </p><p>As announced by the Chancellor in this year’s Spring Budget, we are also doubling the repayment period for new Universal Credit Budgeting Advances.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL3622 HL3624 question first answered 08/04/2024 15:13:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4290 label Biography information for Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

1699234

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Household Support Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to work with (1) Barnado’s, and (2) other charities who have developed recommendations for the future of local crisis support, prior to the ending of the Household Support Fund in September.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon
	uin	HL3624
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>As announced by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget on 6 March, the government is providing an additional £500m to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund, including funding for the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. This means that Local Authorities in England will receive an additional £421m to support those in need locally through the Household Support Fund.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The funding will be available to Local Authorities in England from 1 April 2024 and will run until 30 September 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The Household Support Fund is not the only way we are supporting people on lower incomes. April’s benefit uprating of 6.7% will see an average increase in Universal Credit of £470, raising the National Living Wage will deliver an increase of over £1800 to the gross annual earnings of someone working full-time on that wage, and uplifting Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of local rents will benefit 1.6 million private renters by, on average, £800 a year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also delivered a balanced package of funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 which makes available up to £64.7 billion. The most relatively deprived areas of England will receive 18% more per dwelling in available resource through the 2024-25 Settlement than the least deprived areas.</p><p> </p><p>As announced by the Chancellor in this year’s Spring Budget, we are also doubling the repayment period for new Universal Credit Budgeting Advances.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie grouped question UIN HL3622 HL3623 question first answered 08/04/2024 15:13:28 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4290 label Biography information for Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

1699235

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following the child poverty statistics published on 21 March, what plans they have to initiate a cross-government strategy to address child poverty.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon
	uin	HL3625
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions already works consistently across Government to support the most vulnerable households. This includes a cross-government senior officials’ group on poverty.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/04/2024 15:05:07 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4290 label Biography information for Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

1699236

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Welfare Assistance Schemes
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to strengthening local welfare services.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon
	uin	HL3626
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>A total of £3 billion including Barnett impact has been announced since October 2021 to enable the delivery of Household Support Fund in England. This includes over £2.5 billion allocated to Local Authorities in England. It is for the devolved administrations to decide how to allocate their additional Barnett funding.</p><p> </p><p>Councils continue to have the flexibility to use funding from the Local Government Finance Settlement to provide local welfare assistance.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government has delivered a balanced package of funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 which makes available up to £64.7 billion. The most relatively deprived areas of England will receive 18% more per dwelling in available resource through the 2024-25 Settlement than the least deprived areas.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/04/2024 15:05:24 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4290 label Biography information for Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

1698299

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following the release of data showing that the number of children living in absolute poverty has risen by the highest rate in 30 years, what steps they are taking to address the increase in child poverty rates.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL3603
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2024 answer text <p>These statistics cover 2022/23, a year when war in Ukraine and global supply chain challenges led to unexpected and high rates on inflation, averaging 10% over the year. These factors are reflected in the statistics. In response to these pressures, the Government provided an unprecedented cost of living support package which helped to shield households from the impact of inflation. Analysis shows that the Government’s cost of living support prevented 1.3 million people from falling into absolute poverty after housing costs in 2022/23. That includes 300,000 children, 600,000 working-age adults and 400,000 pensioners.</p><p> </p><p>Since the period covered by these statistics, the Government has taken firm action to support families on the lowest incomes. The Government has spent around £276bn through the welfare system in 2023/24, including around £125bn on people of working age and children. We took action to support those on the lowest incomes by uprating benefits and State Pensions by 10.1% from April 2023. We are continuing to support people in 2024/25 by uprating working age benefits by 6.7% and raising the Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30<sup>th</sup> percentile of local market rents, benefiting 1.6 million low-income households.</p><p> </p><p>With over 900,000 vacancies across the UK, our focus remains firmly on supporting parents to move into and progress in work, an approach which is based on clear evidence about the importance of parental employment - particularly where it is full-time - in substantially reducing the risk of child poverty. The latest statistics show that in 2022/23, children living in workless households were over 6 times more likely to be in absolute poverty (after housing costs) than those where all adults work.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 08/04/2024 15:00:05 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1698331

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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 and Universal Credit: Veterans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of collecting data on the number of veterans living in garrison towns that claim (a) PIP and (b) Universal Credit.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	20141
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>As the hon. Member is aware, the department already collects information on those members of the armed forces community, including veterans, receiving Universal Credit. This information is not required and is provided voluntarily by the claimants.</p><p> </p><p>On Personal Independence Payment, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13 March 2024 to question UIN <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-03-04/16600" target="_blank">16600</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/04/2024 13:52:54 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1698333

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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: Veterans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many veterans received Housing Benefit in the 2022-23 financial year.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
	tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
	uin	20143
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>As previously stated, veteran status is supplied voluntarily by claimants therefore the information requested is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/04/2024 14:04:52 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

1698340

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	AEA Group: Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the number of retired Atomic Energy Agency Technology personnel who have died in the last (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years without having resolved matters relating to their pensions.
	tabling member constituency	New Forest East
	tabling member printed	Sir Julian Lewis
	uin	20129
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold information on members of the Atomic Energy Agency Technology pension scheme.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:10:49 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1698341

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	AEA Group: Pensions
	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 Q329 of the oral evidence given to the Work and Pensions Committee by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions on 10 January 2024, what progress his Department has made on formulating an adequate means of redress for Atomic Energy Agency Technology pensioners; and what his time-scale is for implementing remedial action.
	tabling member constituency	New Forest East
	tabling member printed	Sir Julian Lewis
	uin	20130
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>Following the Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) on the 10 January, The Department of Work and Pensions officials have met with their Cabinet Office counterparts who have responsibility for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Conversations with Cabinet Office are ongoing. This is a complex issue requiring further consideration, therefore there is no set timescale.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:08:38 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	54 label Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis

1698360

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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 Schemes: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many starts have been recorded for the Youth Offer in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire as of 25 March 2024.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	20148
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The Youth Offer launched 20 September 2020 and provides support for 16–24-year-olds who are on Universal Credit to help them move into employment. It includes three elements:</p><ul><li>The Youth Employment Programme, which provides young people dedicated intensive Work Coach support in finding &amp; applying for jobs, with additional assistance available for those who have recently begun their Universal Credit claim.</li><li>Youth Hubs, which bring together in one location DWP services with local support provided by youth experts. This ensures that the needs of young people are matched to services that help them tackle barriers to employment.</li><li>Youth Employability Coaches, who are focused on supporting young people furthest from the labour market overcome complex challenges so that they can move into work.</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p>As of the 1<sup>st</sup> of March 2024, there have been 1,200 starts to the Youth Offer in South Holland and The Deepings constituency, and a total of 17,420 starts in the Lincolnshire region. These figures are part of the overall 1,123,000 total starts on the Youth Offer.</p><p> </p><p>Notes</p><ol><li>Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.</li><li>The figure for Lincolnshire is the combined figure for each of the following local authorities; Boston, East Lindsey, Lincoln, North East Lincolnshire, North Kesteven, North Lincolnshire, South Holland, South Kesteven and West Lindsey.</li><li>A claimant may take part in multiple elements of the Youth Offer. They may start any element of the Youth Offer multiple times. Each of these starts is recorded as a start on the Youth Offer.</li></ol> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/04/2024 15:46:42 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1698369

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Disability: East Midlands
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of the working age population who are disabled in (a) the East Midlands and (b) Lincolnshire.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	uin	20150
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The information requested is given in the table below.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Number and percentage of disabled people aged 16 to 64, 2022/2023</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Geographical area</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of working age disabled people</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Percentage of working age people who are disabled</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East Midlands</p></td><td><p>720,200</p></td><td><p>24.5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Lincolnshire</p></td><td><p>129,300</p></td><td><p>29.7%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-employment-of-disabled-people-2023" target="_blank"><strong>Source</strong></a> – table LMS008</p><p><strong> </strong></p><ul><li>Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and percentages to one decimal place</li><li>Numbers shown are central estimates and subject to sampling variation. The precision of these estimates will be limited by sample size.</li><li>Annual Population Survey data has not been reweighted to incorporate the latest estimates of the size and composition of the UK population.</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/04/2024 16:21:57 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1698395

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19031 on Universal Credit: Housing, for what reason there are different qualifying criteria for (a) Support for Mortgage Interest and (b) support that homeowners receive in respect of service charges.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	20257
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) and help with service charges cover different costs and different eligibility criteria apply.</p><p> </p><p>SMI is paid at a rate that the lending industry generally accept as sufficient to avert the threat of repossession. This help is often significantly less than the homeowner’s contractual liability, although eligibility was recently extended to assist homeowners with rising interest rates. While SMI provides support at the point of need, this help is in the form of an interest-bearing loan that is recoverable from equity when the property is sold.</p><p> </p><p>Eligible service charges are met in full and this help is in the form of a non-recoverable benefit.</p><p> </p><p>Given these differences the Department see no compelling argument for aligning entitlement rules.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/04/2024 15:43:39 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1698417

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	Vacancies: Romford
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help fill job vacancies in Romford constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	20207
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>In the constituency and across the London Borough of Havering, the local Romford Jobcentre team are supporting residents into work and helping those in work to progress to higher paid jobs. We are working with local and national employers to help fill vacancies quickly, delivering Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), recruitment days, Job Fairs, and work trials.</p><p> </p><p>The weekly job club in Romford Jobcentre provides support on CV preparation, job applications and interview techniques, along with information sessions on a range of subjects to help customers into work, including information about different employment sectors, advice on childcare, support for those with additional health needs and motivational sessions.</p><p> </p><p>The Jobcentre provides a bespoke service to employers, to match and screen candidates, and offers regular Job Fairs focussed on specific sectors and customer groups, with recent events to coincide with older workers week and national apprenticeship week. The team are also working with the London Borough of Havering to develop local support.</p><p> </p><p>In partnership with the College of North East London we have recently offered SWAPs for local customers to gain skills and enhance their applications for the Logistics and Warehouse sectors. Care Provider Voices deliver a range of adult social care opportunities, with Springboard offering opportunities in the hospitality sector.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 10:59:09 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1698418

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Jobcentres: Havering
	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 help expand the support offered by Jobcentres in (a) Romford constituency and (b) the London Borough of Havering.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	20208
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The local Jobcentre team are collaborating with a range of partners to support people into work and help employers fill vacancies. In addition to hosting job fairs and delivering Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). Romford Jobcentre is working with Havering Council, local colleges, childcare providers and other organisations to provide an employment and skills offer to help meet the recruitment needs of local employers.</p><p> </p><p>This includes outreach support at the Rainham Childrens Centre and Havering Council, working with family practitioners, social workers, and probation to provide a holistic approach to supporting families in the borough, as well as support with CV preparation provided through Havering Library service, a Job Fair delivered in partnership with Havering Works and SWAPs delivered with Havering Adult College.</p><p> </p><p>Disability Employment Advisers offer advice and expertise on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work, alongside close working with Change Grow Live, Havering Talking therapies, Havering Mind, the Social Prescribing team, and Richmond Fellowship. Romford Jobcentre colleagues also attend local events to highlight the support available, as well as Access to Work and Disability Confident.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 15/04/2024 11:02:13 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1698480

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	Financial Assistance Scheme and Pension Protection Fund: Inflation
	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 potential impact of levels of inflation on the real term valuation of pensions under the (a) Financial Assistance Scheme and (b) Pension Protection Fund.
	tabling member constituency	Newport East
	tabling member printed	Jessica Morden
	uin	20237
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>The information required to carry out such an assessment is not readily available and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs. The Secretary of State has therefore made no such assessment at this time.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 09:49:37 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	1548 label Biography information for Jessica Morden

1698517

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	Children: Maintenance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to ensure that information on how to challenge decisions is available through the Child Maintenance Service portal.
	tabling member constituency	North East Fife
	tabling member printed	Wendy Chamberlain
	uin	20427
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>Significant improvements have been made to the online service ‘My Child Maintenance Case’ allowing Child Maintenance Service customers to digitally report a large range of changes that impact their case.</p><p> </p><p>If a customer believes the Child Maintenance Service have made the wrong decision about how much child maintenance must be paid or received, they can ask the Child Maintenance Service to look at the decision again under their mandatory reconsideration process.</p><p> </p><p>Information on how to request a mandatory reconsideration is included within any decision notification. Further information is also available on gov.uk. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service" target="_blank">Child Maintenance Service: What child maintenance is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration" target="_blank">Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration): Eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p><p> </p><p>A dispute or a mandatory reconsideration cannot currently be reported online. However, following a decision being made, if a parent raises a linked change via My Child Maintenance Case within 32 days of the original decision, this will automatically be considered as a mandatory reconsideration request. For example, a parent raises a shared care change on My Child Maintenance Case within 32 days of a shared care decision being made, the Child Maintenance Service will look at the original decision under a mandatory reconsideration.</p><p> </p><p>Plans are in place to improve the information provided to child maintenance customers. This will provide a clear digital route to guide customers on how to challenge a decision through My Child Maintenance Case. These changes are being looked at in 2024/25.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 15:28:15 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4765 label Biography information for Wendy Chamberlain

1698636

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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: Women
	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 PHSO report on changes to women’s State Pension age, published on 21 March 2024, if he will implement its recommendations.
	tabling member constituency	North Down
	tabling member printed	Stephen Farry
	uin	20473
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2024 answer text <p>We are considering the Ombudsman’s report and will respond in due course.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 16/04/2024 10:12:44 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4856 label Biography information for Stephen Farry

1698667

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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: Neurodiversity
	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 publish any assessment his Department has made of the accessibility for neurodiverse claimants of the online portal used by claimants to access their universal credit accounts.
	tabling member constituency	North East Fife
	tabling member printed	Wendy Chamberlain
	uin	20428
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Universal Credit system is regularly tested to ensure it meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and all issues logged are resolved. This is outlined in our Accessibility Statement on GOV.UK found <a href="https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/accessibility-statement" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, the Department continuously tests the usability of the Universal Credit system and includes participants who are neurodiverse in that testing. It does not publish assessments made on the accessibility of the system for these customers.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/04/2024 13:58:18 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4765 label Biography information for Wendy Chamberlain

1698670

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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: Women
	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 publish his Department's assessment of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's provisional views on injustice and remedy experienced due to maladministration in communication about the 1995 Pensions Act which were set out in the report published in November 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	20381
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Ombudsman did not publish his provisional views in November 2023 or at any other time. The Ombudsman published his final views on 21st March 2024.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:15:13 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1698671

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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: Women
	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 publish his Department's (a) communications and (b) minutes relating to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's provisional views on injustice and remedy experienced due to maladministration in communication about the 1995 Pensions Act which were set out in the report published in November 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	20382
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Ombudsman did not publish his provisional views in November 2023 or at any other time. The Ombudsman published his final views on 21st March 2024.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:13:12 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1698673

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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: Women
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken any (a) research and (b) planning for a potential compensation scheme following the publication of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's provisional views on injustice and remedy experienced due to maladministration in communication about the 1995 Pensions Act in November 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	20383
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Ombudsman did not publish his provisional views in November 2023 or at any other time. The Ombudsman published his final views on 21st March 2024.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 15/04/2024 14:20:34 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1698072

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2024
	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 Support
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) planned spending is for and (b) expected number of beneficiaries are of Universal Support in each of the next five years.
	tabling member constituency	Wirral South
	tabling member printed	Alison McGovern
	uin	20040
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The total budget for Universal Support is £1.4 billion which will provide up to 400,000 places during the lifetime of the programme. Once fully rolled out it aims to provide 100,000 places a year. Detailed planning and preparation is underway to determine how places will build to that maximum annual volume.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/04/2024 13:56:03 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern