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1055861

registered interest
date	06/02/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment: Slavery
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many survivors of modern slavery making a claim for employment and support allowance have undergone a Work Capability Assessment; and of those claimants, how many were (a) placed in the Support Group, (b) placed in the Work Related Activity Group and (c) found Fit For Work.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	217480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not available, however we have agreed to explore options for improving the process of data collection in collaboration with the SSAC to consider how current practices could be enhanced, and to publish a report on our joint conclusions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>For survivors of modern slavery, the Department for Work and Pensions’ main role is to ensure those who are entitled to support receive it. Where a claimant indicates that they are a victim of crime (including trafficking or modern slavery) and they feel that this will adversely affect their ability to meet the conditions of entitlement to benefits, they are supported by the same Jobcentre Plus adviser or Work Coach for each appointment. As each victim will be affected in a different way, advisers and Work Coaches use their discretion to tailor support based on individual conversations they have had with the claimant.</p><p> </p><p>DWP are keen to continue to work closely with the Home Office and other organisations to improve the support available to victims and we have put in place training and awareness raising for front-line staff enabling them to direct victims, at the earliest opportunity, to agencies that are able to support them. Work coaches use discretion to tailor support and offer greater flexibility on work requirements. DWP is sensitive to the challenges faced by victims of this terrible crime.</p><p> </p><p>We provide a tailored service that recognises those with complex needs at any point throughout their journey and ensures appropriate support is quickly made available: a fundamental principle in the delivery of Universal Credit (UC). UC continues to support victims of domestic abuse to claim benefits through a range of measures. These include same day advances and signposting to expert third-party support. As it can be difficult for individuals facing domestic abuse to come forward, all work coaches undergo mandatory training in how to support vulnerable claimants including recognising the signs of domestic abuse. By summer 2019, we will have implemented domestic abuse specialists in every Jobcentre to further raise awareness of domestic abuse, and support work coaches.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 13/02/2019 14:53:50 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1052251

registered interest
date	31/01/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,if she ill set a date by which severely disabled claimants who have moved onto universal credit and lost their severe disability premium will be offered backdated payments as well as top-up payments.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	215104
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>We set out our position on Severe Disability Premium (SDP) transitional payments for claimants in a Written Statement <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-01-11/HCWS1243/" target="_blank">HCWS1243</a> on 11 January 2019 and in the revised sets of regulations which were laid on 14 January 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The draft Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 contain provision to ensure that eligible claimants who had previously been in receipt of the SDP but who moved onto Universal Credit before 16 January 2019, following a change in their circumstances, will be considered for a SDP transitional amount. The provisions will include on-going monthly payments and an additional lump-sum to cover the period since they moved to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>These regulations are subject to parliamentary debate, therefore, we are not able to provide a date of when these will come in to force. Once the regulations are in place we will begin the process of assessing eligible claimants and make payments where appropriate. We aim to have offered all eligible claimants this additional lump-sum within six months of the regulations being approved by Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 07/02/2019 16:47:08 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1045533

registered interest
date	21/01/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will increase the number recording devices available for benefits assessments in Wirral.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	210464
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>Anyone who is required to attend a Work Capability Assessment can ask to have their face-to-face assessment audio recorded. The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments ensure that sufficient recording equipment is available at the assessment centre, including transferring additional equipment to sites as required.</p><p> </p><p>Every claimant for Personal Independence Payment who wishes to have their assessment recorded has the right to do so but they must provide the recording equipment. DWP has set conditions for such recordings to take place, which are listed in the PIP Assessment Guide and are contained within correspondence to claimants from Assessment Providers.</p><p> </p><p>DWP will continue to keep the recording of assessments policy under review.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 24/01/2019 16:46:28 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1045534

registered interest
date	21/01/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the availability of recording devices for benefits assessments on the (a) quality and (b) timeliness of those assessments.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	210465
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/01/2019 answer text <p>Every person who is required to attend a Work Capability Assessment can ask to have their face-to-face assessment audio recorded. Where the request is made in advance the requirement will be met. Requests made on the day will be met where possible and the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments reviews the demand to ensure there is sufficient audio recording equipment. Personal Independence Payment claimants who wish to have their assessment recorded have the right to do so but they must provide the recording equipment.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s response to recommendation 4b of Paul Gray’s second independent review of the Personal Independence Payment assessment (<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/668621/pip-assessment-second-independent-review-government-response.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/668621/pip-assessment-second-independent-review-government-response.pdf</a>) set out our assessment of a trial of audio recording assessments</p><p> </p><p>DWP also recently commenced a video recording pilot for claimants with Personal Independence Payment face-to-face assessments. The pilot enables us to test communications products and live testing of video recording, providing that claimants elect to participate. Findings from the pilot will inform views on rolling out video recording more widely, in order to promote greater trust and transparency.</p><p> </p><p>DWP will continue to keep the recording of assessments policy under review.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 24/01/2019 17:16:28 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1038413

registered interest
date	09/01/2019
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that everyone has access to mental health first aid in the workplace.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	206742
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2019 answer text <p>Employers are already required under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 to consider mental health alongside physical health when undertaking their first aid needs assessment. On the 21<sup>st</sup> November 2018 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published guidance, developed with Mental Health First Aid-England, to clarify this point and improve employer understanding.</p><p> </p><p>Findings from recent reviews<sup>1, 2 </sup>looking at the impact of mental health first aid training in a workplace environment show that there are a number of knowledge gaps which mean it is not possible to say whether it is effective in improving the management of mental health in workplaces, or whether it is the only effective mechanism for support. The findings also highlight several additional prevention and management measures that employers should put in place to supplement the essentially reactive approach of mental health first aid.</p><p> </p><p>Government recognises that mental health first aid training has a role to play in a comprehensive approach to managing mental health in workplaces and anecdotally some individuals report positive benefits. In November 2017, the joint DWP/DHSC Work and Health Unit published “<em>Improving Lives: the Future of Work, Health and Disability” </em>command paper which describes the range of actions that Government is taking forward, including building support for those experiencing mental ill-health to remain in or enter the workplace. This includes implementing recommendations from the independent Lord Stevenson and Paul Farmer ‘Thriving at Work’ review published in October 2017 that considered how employers can better support the mental health of their employees. Its central recommendation identified the need for employers to adopt a comprehensive set of mental health standards. This comprehensive approach will help employers to encourage an open, transparent and supportive organisational culture and tailor their actions to address varying factors such as their employee needs, type of work and size of company. The Government is working closely with employers of all sizes to help them implement the standards and easily access the right support and guidance.</p><p> </p><p>1: <a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr1135.pdf" target="_blank">www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr1135.pdf</a></p><p>2: <a href="https://www.iosh.co.uk/MHFAworkplace" target="_blank">https://www.iosh.co.uk/MHFAworkplace</a></p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 17/01/2019 10:09:24 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1006111

registered interest
date	13/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment: Disability
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 her Department's White Paper, Improving lives: the future of work, health and disability, what progress she has made on meeting the target for the recruitment of Community Partners.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	190788
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>We committed to recruiting around 200 Community Partners, with disability expertise and local knowledge. We currently have 182 Community Partners in post nationally, and there are Community Partners in every Jobcentre Plus District.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 19/11/2018 16:55:29 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1002095

registered interest
date	05/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Disability: Advisory Services
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 White Paper, Improving Lives published in November 2017, when the funding for Jobcentre Plus Community Partners and additional Disability Employment Advisers is due to end; and whether the Department has plans to allocate additional funding for those initiatives.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	188029
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>Funding for Jobcentre Plus Community Partners and additional Disability Employment Advisers has been agreed up until 31st March 2019.</p><p> </p><p>There is a range of support available for claimants with a health condition or disability, including one-to-one support from Work Coaches, The Work and Health Programme and the Personal Support package. Our overall aim is for work coaches to continue to develop the skills and confidence to provide good coaching and effective support. Disability Employment Advisers and Community Partners are among a number of the enablers in place to support this priority.</p><p> </p><p>We are carrying out continuous evaluation, including a review of the Community Partner and Disability Employment Adviser role functions. Recommendations from this review will be considered by Ministers and DWP Senior Leaders as they decide how to ensure that we continue to provide a cohesive support offer beyond 31st March 2019.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 12/11/2018 16:30:33 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1002096

registered interest
date	05/11/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Disability: Advisory Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to undertake an assessment of the adequacy of the Jobcentre Plus Personalised Support Package for disabled people.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	188030
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The Department has commissioned an externally contracted evaluation of the Jobcentre Plus Personalised Support Package. This will explore the experiences of claimants, employers, providers and DWP staff, of the personalised support provided through the package.</p><p> </p><p>A synthesis report of the over-arching evaluation will be published in Autumn 2021.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 12/11/2018 16:26:59 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

999272

registered interest
date	31/10/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when her Department plans to respond to the letter of 26 July 2018 from the rt. hon. Member for Birkenhead to the Minister of State for Disabled People on the Government’s response to the Work and Pensions Committee report on employment support for carers.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	186218
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2018 answer text <p>The response to the Work and Pension Select Committee report on employment support for carers was sent to the rt. ho. Member for Birkenhead on 1<sup>st</sup> November 2018.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 05/11/2018 17:09:07 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

971343

registered interest
date	10/09/2018
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Statutory Sick Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a flexible model for Statutory Sick Pay to better support those with a mental health condition to return to work on a voluntary phased basis and to receive (a) wages and (b) statutory sick pay on a pro-rata basis.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	172440
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2018 answer text <p>We want to reform the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) system so that it supports more flexible working, which can help people remain or return to work if they are unwell. This includes those with a mental health condition. Consultation responses broadly supported reforming SSP to support fully flexible phased returns to work – as did the Matthew Taylor and Stevenson/Farmer reviews.</p><p> </p><p>We are taking forward further policy development on better enabling phased return and how a phased return could be paid, and will bring forward a consultation on these changes before introducing this reform.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 18/09/2018 14:55:03 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead