Show Search Form

Search Results

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

Search

90800

registered interest
date	04/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Poverty Truth Commission
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 Poverty Truth Commission.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	208356
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Ministers and officials continuously engage with a wide range of organisations to help shape and inform policies.</p><p>Checking whether any member of staff from across the Department for Work and Pensions has held any discussions with the Poverty Truth Commission would involve disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 11:15:16 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

90805

registered interest
date	04/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he and Ministers in his Department have had with Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the proposed reform of apprenticeships; what effect those discussions will have on his Department's projects and the work of their supply chain; and whether officials in his Department sit on programme boards managing the reform.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	208214
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Secretary of State or his ministers have not had any specific discussions with Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills solely about the proposed reform of apprenticeships. Neither are any of the department’s officials sitting on programme boards managing the reform.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 14:17:03 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

90807

registered interest
date	04/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Personal Independence Payment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when a decision will be made on the application made in November 2013 by Mrs Staltmeier of Christchurch for a personal independence payment.
tabling member constituency	Christchurch
tabling member printed	Mr Christopher Chope
uin	208252
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Department cannot respond to the House of Commons with regards to a specific case. I will write to my hon. Friend.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 16:47:58 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

90567

registered interest
date	03/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	New Enterprise Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many businesses have been created with help from the New Enterprise Allowance; and how many of those businesses have sustained operations for more than 52 weeks.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	208044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Latest statistics show that since the launch of New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) in 2011 to the end of March 2014, there were 46,000 NEA weekly allowance claims. The weekly allowance is payable when the participant closes their claim to benefits and commences trading which is a proxy measure for business starts created by the scheme.</p><p>We do not have data on the numbers of NEA businesses trading for 52 weeks. However, an analysis of the benefit status of NEA participants, published in 2013, highlighted that of 3,000 people who took part in the scheme in the first year, 78% had remained off benefit continuously for 52 weeks after claiming the NEA weekly allowance.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 11:55:11 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper previous answer version 18988 answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

90570

registered interest
date	03/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Flexible Support Fund
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been spent on the Flexible Support Fund in each region of the UK in each year since it was introduced.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	208077
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p>Expenditure on Flexible Support Fund (FSF) since it was introduced in each year is:</p><table><tbody><tr><td>2011/2012</td><td>£70.2m</td></tr><tr><td>2012/2013</td><td>£125.0m</td></tr><tr><td>2013/2014</td><td>£106.2m</td></tr></tbody></table><p>2014/2015: This information is not currently for release as the data is subject to audit and change.</p><p>The FSF expenditure is only captured at a National level, not across UK Regions, this information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 12:07:26 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper previous answer version 18989 answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

90571

registered interest
date	03/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Welfare State: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions his Department has had discussions with the Social Development Department in Northern Ireland on the implementation of the welfare reforms in Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	208058
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p>Northern Ireland is responsible for its own social security, pensions and child support systems. Therefore, the enactment and implementation of the welfare reforms in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. However, I can confirm that my officials and I continue to work closely with the Social Development Department.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 14:56:39 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

90577

registered interest
date	03/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Telecommunications: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that it communicates with deafblind people in accessible ways, including information about preferred means of communication and sending information in the formats requested by deafblind claimants.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	207976
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p>DWP provides support to all claimants and customers who have specific communication needs in order to allow them full access to our services. DWP can provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters or other communicator support, which includes Deafblind Communicators, to customers or claimants who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. The Department’s staff also undertake diversity and equality learning to raise awareness and help them understand the issues faced by disabled claimants, including those who are deaf or hearing impaired, and provide individual support as required.</p><p>Requests for information to be provided in an alternative format are tailored to the personal needs of the individual and will depend on which benefit is being claimed or which service is being used. The support offered by DWP includes a variety of communication methods: face to face contact on our premises; home visits; telephony; online services; and written communications in alternative formats such as braille. DWP staff can also communicate by e-mail or through a claimant’s representative or intermediary. A request for an alternative format from an individual will be detailed on the customer’s record of the appropriate benefit system to ensure requests are carried out.</p><p>This Department is committed to continuously improving claimant access to benefits and services. DWP officials are currently reviewing the processes we have in place for providing information in alternative formats to see what improvements can be made.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 16:20:06 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

90265

registered interest
date	02/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment: Hearing Impairment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues on the funding and allocation of support for deaf people in work.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Selly Oak
tabling member printed	Steve McCabe
uin	207823
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p>Access to Work provides practical and financial support with the additional costs faced by individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. The support provided is tailored to individuals needs and can include travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment. Access to Work does not replace the duty an employer has under the Equality Act to make reasonable adjustments. Instead it provides support that is over and above that which is a reasonable adjustment. Access to Work can pay for communication support workers and British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters where these are required to enable deaf people to work.</p><p>Access to Work is delivered by Jobcentre Plus in accordance with Department for Work and Pensions Access to Work guidance. The amount of help an individual may receive from Access to Work depends on their individual needs and personal circumstances. The award will also vary depending on how long they have been employed, what support they need, the size of the employer and whether they are self-employed.</p><p>The Department does not provide alternative financial support for communication for deaf people who are in work.</p><p>Where necessary, the Department can provide British Sign Language Interpreters and in some cases other non-spoken language interpreters to enable deaf people to communicate with our staff and to participate in job interviews. Where it is appropriate and where they are able to do so, deaf people and people with hearing impairments can utilise lip reading in face to face communications. The Department also provides induction loops and textphones. Our staff can also communicate by e-mail or through a representative, with the claimant’s permission.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper grouped question UIN 207838 207839 207913 question first answered 09/09/2014 13:59:55 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	298 label Biography information for Steve McCabe

90386

registered interest
date	02/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Independent Living Fund
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 retain the Independent Living Fund and continue access for new claimants.
tabling member constituency	South Down
tabling member printed	Ms Margaret Ritchie
uin	207893
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>On 6 March 2014 the Government announced that the Independent Living Fund (ILF) would close in June 2015 with responsibility and funding transferred to local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. Funding for Northern Ireland is already a matter for the Northern Ireland administration which is currently consulting on the best way to support users living there. The ILF has been closed to new applications since 2010.</p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 16:52:39 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

90387

registered interest
date	02/09/2014
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Independent Living Fund
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 performance of the Independent Living Fund.
tabling member constituency	South Down
tabling member printed	Ms Margaret Ritchie
uin	207894
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>There is a legislative requirement for the Independent Living Fund Annual Report and Accounts to be laid by the Secretary of State before Parliament each year. The report is published on GOV.UK. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-living-fund-annual-report-and-accounts-2013-to-2014" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-living-fund-annual-report-and-accounts-2013-to-2014</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 09/09/2014 15:50:30 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick