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1491499

registered interest
date	21/07/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were receiving the (a) Support Element of Employment Support Allowance or (b) Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity element of Universal Credit, but are not receiving Personal Independent Payment or Disability Living Allowance, in the latest 12 months for which that data is available.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
uin	42118
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2022 answer text <p>On 30<sup>th</sup> November 2021, 292,000 people in Great Britain were receiving the Support Group award of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) without receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 307,000 people were receiving the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity Element (LCWRA) of Universal Credit (UC) without receiving PIP or DLA. The below table shows the figures for the end of the four most recent quarters.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td colspan="4"><p>Quarter</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Feb-21</p></td><td><p>May-21</p></td><td><p>Aug-21</p></td><td><p>Nov-21</p></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2"><p>People receiving ESA/UC without PIP/DLA</p></td><td><p>ESA Support Group</p></td><td><p>325,000</p></td><td><p>313,000</p></td><td><p>302,000</p></td><td><p>292,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>UC LCWRA</p></td><td><p>232,000</p></td><td><p>261,000</p></td><td><p>285,000</p></td><td><p>307,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p><strong>Sources: Benefit Combinations, Universal Credit Full Service, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study</strong></p><ul><li>This is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and may be subject to future revision.</li><li>Data covers Great Britain only.</li><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1,000.</li></ul> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 05/09/2022 15:27:09 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1491017

registered interest
date	20/07/2022
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: Work Capability Assessment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Work Capability Assessments were carried out for people applying for Universal Credit in each of the most recent 12 months for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Sir Stephen Timms
uin	40729
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2022 answer text <p>The volume of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) carried out in relation to Universal Credit (UC) claims between March 2021 and February 2022 is as follows:</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Mar 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Apr 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>May 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Jun 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Jul 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Aug 21</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>UC WCA</p></td><td><p>44,000</p></td><td><p>40,000</p></td><td><p>37,000</p></td><td><p>40,000</p></td><td><p>40,000</p></td><td><p>39,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Sep 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Oct 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Nov 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Dec 21</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Jan 22</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Feb 22</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>UC WCA</p></td><td><p>39,000</p></td><td><p>36,000</p></td><td><p>41,000</p></td><td><p>37,000</p></td><td><p>46,000</p></td><td><p>44,000</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Please note</strong></p><p> </p><ul><li>All volumes have been rounded to the nearest 1,000</li><li>The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards</li></ul><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 05/09/2022 11:38:58 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1490650

registered interest
date	19/07/2022
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, what steps her Department is taking to close the learning disability employment gap.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	39844
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2022 answer text <p>In 2017 the Government set a goal to see one million more disabled people in employment between 2017 and 2027. The latest figures released for Q1 2022 show that between Q1 2017 and Q1 2022 the number of disabled people in employment increased by 1.3m – meaning the goal has been met after only five years.</p><p> </p><p>The disability employment gap was 28.2 percentage points in Q1 2022. This is a decrease of 0.2 percentage points on the year, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points since Q1 2020 and an overall decrease of 5.6 percentage points since the same quarter in 2014.</p><p> </p><p>Learning Disabled people often face very significant challenges in being able to work, but their employment rate has also shown an improvement. The Annual Population Survey reports that in 2020/21 25.6% of people with severe or specific learning difficulties as their main health condition were in work. This compares to 2013/14 where 17.0% were in work. The increase from 2013/14 to 2020/21 is statistically significant.</p><p> </p><p>Learning disabled people often need extra support to be able to secure, sustain and succeed in employment. We have taken a range of steps to ensure that support is available when needed.</p><p> </p><p>We have strengthened our Disability Employment Adviser role, delivering direct support to claimants who require additional work related support and supporting all work coaches to deliver tailored, personalised support to claimants with a disability or health condition including those with a learning disability.</p><p> </p><p>DWP has also been working with the National Autistic Society to design and develop a service delivery framework for people with Autism. The service delivery framework aims to transform the service available to jobseekers on the autism spectrum, and will also have benefits for learning disabled customers. This trial is now complete with all 15 sites having passed their accreditation test. We are considering how best to take this forward across the entire Jobcentre network.</p><p> </p><p>Learning disabled people can access further employment support through Jobcentres including priority access to the Work and Health Programme in England and Wales, for people with health conditions, and Intensive Personalised Employment Support provision across the UK, which provides highly personalised packages of employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions who require specialist support to achieve sustained employment. Access to Work is also available, which is a demand-led discretionary grant scheme that provides funding for the extra disability-related costs people have when starting work or maintaining employment. Over the last 5 years the number of learning disabled people receiving AtW support each year has risen from 210 to 380.</p><p> </p><p>This autumn DWP will invest over £7 million in Local Supported Employment services, working with around 20 Local Authorities to enable more learning disabled and autistic social care users to access the support needed to help them get into and remain in employment.</p><p> </p><p>Learning disabled young people on their transition to employment can benefit from Supported Internships, which are aimed at young people with a learning disability or autism who have an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan. Supported Internships usually last for 12 months and provide support from a specialist job coach. Whilst the Department for Education lead on this in England, the Department for Work and Pensions provides support through Access to Work where needed.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 05/09/2022 11:33:48 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1490652

registered interest
date	19/07/2022
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 and Health Programme: Unpaid Work
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of offering Supported Internships as part of the Work and Health Programme.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	39846
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2022 answer text <p>Supported internships are a study programme for young people aged 16 to 24 in England who have an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan, want to move into employment and need extra support to do so. In February 2022, the Department for Education announced investment of up to £18 million over the next three years to build capacity in the Supported Internships programme, aiming to double the number of Supported Internships to give more young people with an EHC plan the skills to secure and sustain paid employment.</p><p /><p>The Work and Health Programme is nationally contracted employment support delivered in England and Wales which predominantly helps people with a wide range of health conditions or disabilities, to enter, and stay in work using the expertise of private, public and voluntary, and community sector providers.</p><p> </p><p>Disabled people who have completed a supported internship and continue to need additional employment support to find work would be able to access the Work and Health Programme or other DWP funded employment provision.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 05/09/2022 11:36:20 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1490759

registered interest
date	19/07/2022
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: 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 assessment her Department has made of the impact on the mental health of people receiving benefits of the recent increase in the cost of living.
tabling member constituency	Tooting
tabling member printed	Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
uin	39938
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2022 answer text <p>No specific assessment has been made on the impact on the mental health of people receiving benefits of the recent increase in the cost of living. The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living: that is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. This includes the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households on means-tested benefits. In addition, 6 million eligible disabled people will receive a one-off, disability Cost of Living Payment of £150. And pensioner households will receive a separate one-off payment of £300 (through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment).</p><p> </p><p>People that are receiving benefits can access mental health support in a number of ways such as seeking a referral from GP in the first instance. In addition, all NHS mental health providers have established 24/7 all-age urgent mental health helplines for people in crisis or for those worried about someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Details of these helplines are available on the NHS website at: <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/?msclkid=d7665cfdd11411ec8e594720acce865c" target="_blank">Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)</a>. Administrative data on mental health support and benefit receipt are not routinely linked so we cannot estimate the number of people on benefits who receive mental health support.</p><p> </p><p>Evidence suggests that good, appropriate paid work can be beneficial for individuals' health and wellbeing. We offer specialist support for people with mental health conditions to stay in and return to work, often working jointly with the health system, through:</p><p> </p><ul><li>our Employment Advice in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (EAs in IAPT) services. Since 2017 we have invested a total of £82million on expanding the number of EAs in IAPT services and we have committed to expand the service across England. Evidence on EAs in IAPT found that those receiving employment support in addition to mental health support showed greater improvements to their mental health compared to those receiving mental health support alone. In addition, those out of work on entry to the EAs in IAPT service were more likely to be active in the labour market (through employment or looking for employment) at the end of their treatment than those receiving mental health support alone. Employment Advisers (EAs) work with JCP colleagues to ensure that JCP clients who could benefit from IAPT treatment are signposted to receive an IAPT assessment.</li><li>the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service</li><li>the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot across the Midlands Engine region, which seeks out opportunities to improve productivity through improving employee's mental health.</li><li>our trials of Individual Placement and Support for people with common mental health and/or physical health conditions.</li></ul><p> </p><p>We will also work closely with DHSC and other government departments in supporting the new cross government 10-year plan for mental health and wellbeing for England.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 39939 39940 question first answered 25/07/2022 13:50:04 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4573 label Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan

1490760

registered interest
date	19/07/2022
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: 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 resources her Department has allocated to improving the mental health of people receiving benefits.
tabling member constituency	Tooting
tabling member printed	Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
uin	39939
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2022 answer text <p>No specific assessment has been made on the impact on the mental health of people receiving benefits of the recent increase in the cost of living. The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living: that is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. This includes the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households on means-tested benefits. In addition, 6 million eligible disabled people will receive a one-off, disability Cost of Living Payment of £150. And pensioner households will receive a separate one-off payment of £300 (through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment).</p><p> </p><p>People that are receiving benefits can access mental health support in a number of ways such as seeking a referral from GP in the first instance. In addition, all NHS mental health providers have established 24/7 all-age urgent mental health helplines for people in crisis or for those worried about someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Details of these helplines are available on the NHS website at: <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/?msclkid=d7665cfdd11411ec8e594720acce865c" target="_blank">Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)</a>. Administrative data on mental health support and benefit receipt are not routinely linked so we cannot estimate the number of people on benefits who receive mental health support.</p><p> </p><p>Evidence suggests that good, appropriate paid work can be beneficial for individuals' health and wellbeing. We offer specialist support for people with mental health conditions to stay in and return to work, often working jointly with the health system, through:</p><p> </p><ul><li>our Employment Advice in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (EAs in IAPT) services. Since 2017 we have invested a total of £82million on expanding the number of EAs in IAPT services and we have committed to expand the service across England. Evidence on EAs in IAPT found that those receiving employment support in addition to mental health support showed greater improvements to their mental health compared to those receiving mental health support alone. In addition, those out of work on entry to the EAs in IAPT service were more likely to be active in the labour market (through employment or looking for employment) at the end of their treatment than those receiving mental health support alone. Employment Advisers (EAs) work with JCP colleagues to ensure that JCP clients who could benefit from IAPT treatment are signposted to receive an IAPT assessment.</li><li>the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service</li><li>the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot across the Midlands Engine region, which seeks out opportunities to improve productivity through improving employee's mental health.</li><li>our trials of Individual Placement and Support for people with common mental health and/or physical health conditions.</li></ul><p> </p><p>We will also work closely with DHSC and other government departments in supporting the new cross government 10-year plan for mental health and wellbeing for England.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 39938 39940 question first answered 25/07/2022 13:50:04 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4573 label Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan

1490761

registered interest
date	19/07/2022
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: 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 estimate she has made of the number of people on benefits who have received mental health support in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Tooting
tabling member printed	Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
uin	39940
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2022 answer text <p>No specific assessment has been made on the impact on the mental health of people receiving benefits of the recent increase in the cost of living. The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living: that is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. This includes the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households on means-tested benefits. In addition, 6 million eligible disabled people will receive a one-off, disability Cost of Living Payment of £150. And pensioner households will receive a separate one-off payment of £300 (through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment).</p><p> </p><p>People that are receiving benefits can access mental health support in a number of ways such as seeking a referral from GP in the first instance. In addition, all NHS mental health providers have established 24/7 all-age urgent mental health helplines for people in crisis or for those worried about someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Details of these helplines are available on the NHS website at: <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/?msclkid=d7665cfdd11411ec8e594720acce865c" target="_blank">Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)</a>. Administrative data on mental health support and benefit receipt are not routinely linked so we cannot estimate the number of people on benefits who receive mental health support.</p><p> </p><p>Evidence suggests that good, appropriate paid work can be beneficial for individuals' health and wellbeing. We offer specialist support for people with mental health conditions to stay in and return to work, often working jointly with the health system, through:</p><p> </p><ul><li>our Employment Advice in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (EAs in IAPT) services. Since 2017 we have invested a total of £82million on expanding the number of EAs in IAPT services and we have committed to expand the service across England. Evidence on EAs in IAPT found that those receiving employment support in addition to mental health support showed greater improvements to their mental health compared to those receiving mental health support alone. In addition, those out of work on entry to the EAs in IAPT service were more likely to be active in the labour market (through employment or looking for employment) at the end of their treatment than those receiving mental health support alone. Employment Advisers (EAs) work with JCP colleagues to ensure that JCP clients who could benefit from IAPT treatment are signposted to receive an IAPT assessment.</li><li>the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service</li><li>the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot across the Midlands Engine region, which seeks out opportunities to improve productivity through improving employee's mental health.</li><li>our trials of Individual Placement and Support for people with common mental health and/or physical health conditions.</li></ul><p> </p><p>We will also work closely with DHSC and other government departments in supporting the new cross government 10-year plan for mental health and wellbeing for England.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 39938 39939 question first answered 25/07/2022 13:50:04 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4573 label Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan

1490763

registered interest
date	19/07/2022
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: Mental Illness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provisions have been put in place to support those with a mental health problem when completing a work capability assessment.
tabling member constituency	Tooting
tabling member printed	Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
uin	39941
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2022 answer text <p>We are fully committed to supporting those with mental health conditions. The assessment of mental, cognitive, and intellectual function is an integral part of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and all Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) have undergone comprehensive training in the functional assessment of disability and mental health conditions.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Mental Health Function Champions support HCPs by providing additional expertise about mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities, and can be referred to at any time during the assessment process.</p><p> </p><p>Before attending an assessment, claimants are given the opportunity to alert Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) of any additional requirements they may have, who will look to meet any reasonable requests. Furthermore, companions or advocates play an active role in helping claimants answer questions where the claimant or HCP wishes them to do so. This may be particularly important where the claimant has a mental, cognitive, or intellectual impairment.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The department has worked closely with CHDA to develop and test new processes for obtaining further evidence as part of the WCA. The guidance has been expanded and provides examples of situations where further evidence may assist the WCA process at initial review stage, especially for those with a mental health condition.</p><p> </p><p>CHDA also have a network of Customer Champions around the country focused on making sure individuals receive the best service possible. The support individuals need is very varied, so it is important that we have highly trained disability experts on hand to offer colleagues advice, explain best practice, or to support individuals who may be anxious or unwell on the day of their assessment. Customer Champions also focus on individuals with specific conditions like autistic spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, mental health issues and illnesses that vary from day to day.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 21/07/2022 14:23:54 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4573 label Biography information for Dr Rosena Allin-Khan

1490091

registered interest
date	18/07/2022
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-designating Carer's Allowance as a disability-related benefit rather than employment-related benefit, to enable carers who are in receipt of the State Retirement Pension to be eligible to claim Carer's Allowance.
tabling member constituency	St Albans
tabling member printed	Daisy Cooper
uin	38847
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2022 answer text <p>The principal purpose of Carer's Allowance is to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time work in order to provide regular care for a severely disabled person. For benefit purposes it is an income replacement benefit. State Pension is also an income replacement benefit, albeit awarded in very different circumstances. Nevertheless, it is a fundamental and long-standing principle of the benefit system under successive Governments that duplicate provision should not be made for the same contingency. The extra costs disability benefits are not intended for income maintenance, rather they are for the additional costs arising from a long-term health condition or disability. Accordingly, it would be anomalous to change the designation of Carer’s Allowance and there are no plans to do so.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 21/07/2022 14:20:16 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4769 label Biography information for Daisy Cooper

1490133

registered interest
date	18/07/2022
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	Working Conditions: Temperature
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 potential merits of setting an upper temperature limit for a working environment.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	38725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2022 answer text <p>I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19<sup>th</sup> July to the Hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green, <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-07-13/36045" target="_blank">UIN 36045</a>.</p><p> </p><p>With regards to dress code, detailed guidance for employers on workplace temperature and thermal comfort is available on the Health and Safety Executive’s <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/" target="_blank">website</a>.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 21/07/2022 15:21:10 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell