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1146474
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-09-26more like thismore than 2019-09-26
answering body
Department for International Development more like this
answering dept id 20 more like this
answering dept short name International Development more like this
answering dept sort name International Development more like this
hansard heading Kashmir: Earthquakes more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Kashmir following the earthquake on 24 September 2019. more like this
tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
tabling member printed
Dan Carden more like this
uin 291406 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-01more like thismore than 2019-10-01
answer text <p>DFID has been liaising closely with the Government of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) since the earthquake struck on 24 September 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Key humanitarian partners, including UN agencies, met with the NDMA to discuss the response to the earthquake on Friday 27 September. The NDMA confirmed that the Government of Pakistan will not launch any formal appeal or request for National or International Assistance, but donors and agencies can provide assistance on a voluntary basis.</p><p> </p><p>DFID stands ready to respond and the Natural Disaster Consortium partners have pre-positioned supplies which can be deployed at short notice.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-01T15:39:08.88Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-01T15:39:08.88Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
4651
label Biography information for Dan Carden more like this
1146475
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-09-26more like thismore than 2019-09-26
answering body
Department for International Development more like this
answering dept id 20 more like this
answering dept short name International Development more like this
answering dept sort name International Development more like this
hansard heading Nigeria: Non-governmental Organisations more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to reports of the army expelling international NGOs from Nigeria, what assessment he has made of the ability of humanitarian organisations to carry out their activities in Nigeria. more like this
tabling member constituency Liverpool, Walton more like this
tabling member printed
Dan Carden more like this
uin 291407 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-10-01more like thismore than 2019-10-01
answer text <p>We are extremely concerned that the Nigerian Army has closed the offices of Action against Hunger and Mercy Corps in North East Nigeria.</p><p> </p><p>NGOs in the North East of Nigeria, including Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, provide millions of people with crucial, life-saving assistance. When these organisations are forced to withdraw it has a huge impact on the lives of the most vulnerable. We have urged the Government of Nigeria to complete their investigations swiftly to resolve the dispute and to enable the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance. We must ensure unimpeded access for people in need in line with International Humanitarian Law.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-10-01T15:45:17.553Zmore like thismore than 2019-10-01T15:45:17.553Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
4651
label Biography information for Dan Carden more like this
1140631
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-19more like thismore than 2019-07-19
answering body
Department for International Development more like this
answering dept id 20 more like this
answering dept short name International Development more like this
answering dept sort name International Development more like this
hansard heading Department for International Development: Africa Trade more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether his Department provides support to Africa Trade Ltd. more like this
tabling member constituency Wakefield more like this
tabling member printed
Mary Creagh more like this
uin 279398 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-25more like thismore than 2019-07-25
answer text <p>The Department for International Development does not provide direct support to any organisation called Africa Trade Ltd.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-25T16:02:10.787Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-25T16:02:10.787Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
1579
label Biography information for Mary Creagh more like this
1140632
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-19more like thismore than 2019-07-19
answering body
Department for International Development more like this
answering dept id 20 more like this
answering dept short name International Development more like this
answering dept sort name International Development more like this
hansard heading Department for International Development: Africa House London more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether his Department provides support to Africa House London Ltd. more like this
tabling member constituency Wakefield more like this
tabling member printed
Mary Creagh more like this
uin 279399 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-25more like thismore than 2019-07-25
answer text <p>The Department for International Development does not provide direct support to any organisation called Africa House Ltd.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-25T16:02:55.283Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-25T16:02:55.283Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
1579
label Biography information for Mary Creagh more like this
1140242
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-18more like thismore than 2019-07-18
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Disability more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the two-child limit for universal credit and tax credits on disabled parents with more than two children. more like this
tabling member constituency Coventry South more like this
tabling member printed
Mr Jim Cunningham more like this
uin 278905 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-23more like thismore than 2019-07-23
answer text <p>It is the Department’s view that providing support for a maximum of two children or qualifying young persons in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit ensures fairness between those supporting themselves solely through work and those receiving benefits.</p><p> </p><p>The Government assessed the impact of the policy from an equality and human rights perspective throughout its development and in preparation for its implementation. The Department published statistics related to the first year of policy implementation in June 2018 and will publish updated statistics on 31<sup>st</sup> July.</p><p> </p><p>An impact assessment of the policy of providing support for a maximum of two children in Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit, which considered the impact of the policy on families and other protected groups, including those with disabilities, was published in July 2015 and is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/ia15-006e.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/ia15-006e.pdf</a></p>
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-23T09:26:16.493Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-23T09:26:16.493Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
308
label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham more like this
1140398
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-18more like thismore than 2019-07-18
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Universal Credit: Northern Ireland more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the merits of twice monthly universal credit payments in Northern Ireland. more like this
tabling member constituency Vale of Clwyd more like this
tabling member printed
Chris Ruane more like this
uin 278916 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-23more like thismore than 2019-07-23
answer text <p>Social security matters are the responsibility of the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. The Department for Communities therefore delivers Universal Credit with the support of DWP and its Universal Credit Programme. Mitigations agreed as part of the Fresh Start Agreement allow the Department for Communities to deliver UC differently from the way it is delivered in GB, and responsibility for evaluating the effectiveness of the mitigations package rests with them.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-23T16:39:17.237Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-23T16:39:17.237Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
534
label Biography information for Chris Ruane more like this
1139898
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-17more like thismore than 2019-07-17
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Universal Credit: Fraud more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2019 to Question 275665 on universal credit: fraud, what recourse is available to people who without their full knowledge have had their information used to make a fraudulent claim. more like this
tabling member constituency Birmingham, Selly Oak more like this
tabling member printed
Steve McCabe more like this
uin 278344 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-22more like thismore than 2019-07-22
answer text <p>The Department takes benefit fraud very seriously and ensures that all cases are investigated thoroughly.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant has been the victim of fraud, and has not benefitted financially in any way, they will not be asked to repay the money. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided.</p><p> </p><p>The Department remains committed to tackling the issue of fraudulent Universal Credit advance claims. We have set up a dedicated team of investigators to work on advances fraud cases, released a campaign on social media to raise awareness and remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity and have been working with Social Media sites to shut down pages which promote this fraud, having shut down 52 so far.</p><p /><p>If any claimant has concerns about the safety of their personal information, they should speak to a member of Jobcentre staff or get help from Action Fraud.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-22T14:46:55.117Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-22T14:46:55.117Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
298
label Biography information for Steve McCabe more like this
1139921
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-17more like thismore than 2019-07-17
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Universal Credit more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claimants of universal credit that have taken an advance payment have seen payments reduced by (a) up to 20 percent (b) between 21 and 30 per cent, (c) 31 to 40 per cent and (d) over 40 percent of the initial amount in each of the last three years. more like this
tabling member constituency Vale of Clwyd more like this
tabling member printed
Chris Ruane more like this
uin 278385 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-22more like thismore than 2019-07-22
answer text <p>Universal Credit (UC) new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in financial need, which can be accessed on the same day, until their first UC payment is due. Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, for which they can pay back over a period of up to 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that advances meet the needs of claimants and that recovery arrangements are personalised and reasonable. The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt, so last resort deductions can be applied to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their fuel supply (gas/electricity) cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential services. In these cases, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the claimant and their family, deductions may be taken above the 40 per cent limit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be considered.</p><p> </p><p>The latest available data for eligible claims to UC Full Service is provided in table 1:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Table 1</p></td><td colspan="3"><p>Month Payment Due</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Feb-17</p></td><td><p>Feb-18</p></td><td><p>Feb-19</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p>%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>up to 20 percent of Standard Allowance</p></td><td><p>42%</p></td><td><p>49%</p></td><td><p>47%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>between 21 and 30 per cent of Standard Allowance</p></td><td><p>20%</p></td><td><p>19%</p></td><td><p>18%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>31 to 40 per cent of Standard Allowance</p></td><td><p>35%</p></td><td><p>31%</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>over 40 percent of Standard Allowance</p></td><td><p>3%</p></td><td><p>1%</p></td><td><p>2%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notes</p><p>1. The latest month for which data is available is February 2019.</p><p>2. When categorising claims into the groups above, the figures for the percentage of the Standard Allowance for individual claims have been rounded to the nearest percent.</p><p>3. Deductions include advance repayments and all other deductions, but exclude sanctions and fraud penalties which are reductions of benefit rather than deductions.</p><p>4. A claim can have more than one type of deduction applied to a given payment e.g. the total deduction could be the total of both an advance repayment and another deduction type.</p><p>5. Figures are for Universal Credit Full Service only; Universal Credit full service was fully rolled out by the end of 2018.</p>
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-22T15:03:58.087Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-22T15:03:58.087Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
534
label Biography information for Chris Ruane more like this
1139350
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-16more like thismore than 2019-07-16
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading European Social Fund more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of employment support projects that are funded by the European Social Fund. more like this
tabling member constituency Weaver Vale more like this
tabling member printed
Mike Amesbury more like this
uin 277848 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-22more like thismore than 2019-07-22
answer text <p>European Social Fund (ESF) projects aim to increase labour market participation, promote social inclusion and develop the skills of the potential and existing workforce, including amongst the most vulnerable people in society.</p><p> </p><p>To date, 363 projects have set out to achieve this within the current England ESF programme (this figure excludes technical assistance projects), amounting to total investment worth £3.65 billion, around £2 billion of which is EU funded. This figure will increase as further projects are agreed and delivered over the lifetime of the programme.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-22T14:34:47.46Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-22T14:34:47.46Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
4667
label Biography information for Mike Amesbury more like this
1138941
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-07-15more like thismore than 2019-07-15
answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept id 29 more like this
answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
hansard heading Children: Maintenance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans to undertake a public consultation on changing the sequence by which deductions from benefits are ordered to ensure that child maintenance payments take priority over debts to private companies. more like this
tabling member constituency Bristol South more like this
tabling member printed
Karin Smyth more like this
uin 277210 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-07-23more like thismore than 2019-07-23
answer text <p>Under Universal Credit there is a structured approach to deductions from benefit, which simplifies the current complex arrangements of the legacy system.</p><p>The aims of the deductions policy in Universal Credit are to protect vulnerable claimants by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of essential services, to enforce social obligations and to recover Government debt in a cost effective manner.</p><p>Deductions are made following the priority order, which determines the order in which items should be deducted. ‘Last resort’ deductions, such as rent or fuel costs, are at the top of the priority order, ensuring that claimant welfare is prioritised, followed by social obligation deductions, such as child maintenance, and finally benefit debt, such as Social Fund loans and benefit overpayments.</p><p>We prioritise the welfare of claimants, as this is the best way to support them and to help them to move towards work and off benefits.</p><p>The Deduction Priority Order can be found here (p. 72) - <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683470/benefit-overpayment-recovery-guide.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683470/benefit-overpayment-recovery-guide.pdf</a></p>
answering member constituency Reading West remove filter
answering member printed Alok Sharma more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-07-23T09:28:18.48Zmore like thismore than 2019-07-23T09:28:18.48Z
answering member
4014
label Biography information for Lord Sharma more like this
tabling member
4444
label Biography information for Karin Smyth more like this