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1701843

registered interest
date	17/04/2024
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 in Care: North of England
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations of Child of the North APPG's report entitled Children in Care in the North of England, published on 17 April 2024.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	22330
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>DWP recognises the challenges care leavers face as they move out of the care system and has in place a series of easements aimed at simplifying and improving their interaction with the benefit system. In addition to the intensive tailored support the Youth Offer provides for young people with additional barriers to work, we are working with employers through the Care Leaver Covenant to help care leavers find more employment opportunities; and with DfE to ensure care leavers can access the right skills, opportunities and wider support, to move towards sustained employment and career progression.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, to help achieve the missions set out in the Department for Education’s response to the independent review of children’s social care 'Stable Homes, Built on Love' DWP has already committed to proactively explore additional easements to enhance the support offer for care leavers and work with DfE officials to explore how to improve transition for care leavers entering the benefit and employment support system.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to supporting families on lower incomes and expects to spend around £306bn through the welfare system in Great Britain in 2024/25 including around £138bn on people of working age and children. We have uprated working age benefits by 6.7% and raised 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>We have consistently set out a sustainable, long-term approach to tackling child poverty based on evidence about the important role of work, 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. This is why, with over 900,000 vacancies across the UK, our focus is firmly on supporting people into and to progress in work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/04/2024 16:10:57 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1701851

registered interest
date	17/04/2024
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	Poverty: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what impact the under occupancy penalty has had on levels of (a) child poverty and (b) child poverty for children with a disability.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	22335
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>No assessment has been made of the impact of the Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) on child poverty. It is not possible to produce a robust assessment of the impact of RSRS on child poverty because we do not have the data to fully measure behavioural impacts that may have resulted from the policy.</p><p> </p><p>The latest statistics show that in 2022/23 there were 100,000 fewer children in absolute poverty after housing costs than in 2009/10.</p><p> </p><p>Statistics on the number of Children living in absolute and relative poverty by disability in the UK are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication in “table 1_7c” and “table 1_7d” (respectively) of<strong> “</strong>summary-hbai-timeseries-1994-95-2022-23-tables<strong>”</strong> found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-for-financial-years-ending-1995-to-2023" target="_blank">here.</a><strong> </strong>The latest statistics published on 21 March 2024 are for the financial period 2022/23. The latest available data can also be found on Stat-Xplore <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p> </p><p>The RSRS policy applies to claims for housing support where the claimant is living in a social rented sector property that is considered to have more bedrooms than the household requires.</p><p> </p><p>The policy helps to encourage mobility within the social rented sector to make better use of the existing social housing stock and strengthens work-incentives.</p><p> </p><p>There are easements available which allow for the provision of an additional bedroom in certain circumstances, such as to support families of disabled children, foster carers and parents who adopt.</p><p> </p><p>For individuals who may require additional support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) may be available. DHPs are paid entirely at the discretion of the local authority and since 2011 the Government has provided nearly £1.7 billion to local authorities.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/04/2024 16:14:22 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1697814

registered interest
date	21/03/2024
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	Unemployment: 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 has he made of the potential merits of taking a nurturing and trauma-informed approach to people with mental health challenges who are not in employment.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	19900
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The DWP is proudly committed to becoming a more Trauma Informed organisation. The potential merits of the adoption of the Trauma Informed Approach into DWP services, will benefit all customers including those with mental ill health who are unemployed. Adopting the principles of the approach into the core of our business will help us to ensure that anyone interacting with our services feels as safe, empowered and understood as possible; this will underpin our ongoing commitment to compassionate coaching and tailored services.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>We have a dedicated programme which will integrate the six key pillars of the approach as defined by the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities (December, 2022) which are safety, trustworthiness, choice, empowerment, collaboration and cultural consideration. Our programme looks at these six pillars within the contexts of application to our colleagues, our customers, our culture, and the context of our interaction- whether that is a physical, telephony, digital or postal interaction. There is significant emphasis within the design of the programme regarding what more can be done to prevent trauma and re-traumatisation for both our customers and our colleagues. We are learning from best practice demonstrated by organisations such as NHS Education Scotland, Work Services Australia and the Wales ACES Hub to shape the future prioritisation of this work.</p><p /><p>When developing policies, the Department routinely carries out assessments against the Public Sector Equality Duty to ensure that due regard is given to our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 19901 question first answered 26/03/2024 14:28:57 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1697815

registered interest
date	21/03/2024
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: 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 his Department is taking to ensure that obligations under the Equalities Act 2010 are taken into account when developing policies on support for people with mental health challenges.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	19901
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The DWP is proudly committed to becoming a more Trauma Informed organisation. The potential merits of the adoption of the Trauma Informed Approach into DWP services, will benefit all customers including those with mental ill health who are unemployed. Adopting the principles of the approach into the core of our business will help us to ensure that anyone interacting with our services feels as safe, empowered and understood as possible; this will underpin our ongoing commitment to compassionate coaching and tailored services.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p>We have a dedicated programme which will integrate the six key pillars of the approach as defined by the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities (December, 2022) which are safety, trustworthiness, choice, empowerment, collaboration and cultural consideration. Our programme looks at these six pillars within the contexts of application to our colleagues, our customers, our culture, and the context of our interaction- whether that is a physical, telephony, digital or postal interaction. There is significant emphasis within the design of the programme regarding what more can be done to prevent trauma and re-traumatisation for both our customers and our colleagues. We are learning from best practice demonstrated by organisations such as NHS Education Scotland, Work Services Australia and the Wales ACES Hub to shape the future prioritisation of this work.</p><p /><p>When developing policies, the Department routinely carries out assessments against the Public Sector Equality Duty to ensure that due regard is given to our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 19900 question first answered 26/03/2024 14:28:57 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1695104

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
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	Access to Work Programme: Musculoskeletal Disorders
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 people with (a) arthritis and (b) a musculoskeletal condition who have accessed support through the access to work programme in the last year.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	17973
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department does collect information on Access to Work recipient's primary medical condition, however we do not hold information to the level required to identify people with arthritis and/or musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore we are not able to make an estimate of the number of people living with arthritis and/or a musculoskeletal condition that have received support through the Access to Work scheme. Information on Access to Work volumes and expenditure by primary medical condition are published annually in the official statistics: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/access-to-work-statistics-april-2007-to-march-2023" target="_blank">Access to Work statistics: April 2007 to March 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/03/2024 11:34:47 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1695105

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
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: Musculoskeletal Disorders
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 people with (a) arthritis and (b) a musculoskeletal condition to remain in work.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	17974
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government has an ambitious programme of initiatives to support disabled people and people with health conditions, including people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, to start, stay and succeed in work.</p><p> </p><p>These include: the Work and Health Programme; Access to Work grants; Disability Confident; <a href="https://www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/support-with-employee-health-and-disability" target="_blank">a digital information service for employers</a>; Disability Employment Advisers and increasing Work Coach support in Jobcentres and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.</p><p> </p><p>In the Spring Budget 2023, the government set out a package of measures to tackle the leading health-related causes keeping people out of work, including specific initiatives for people with MSK conditions. This includes introducing employment advisers within MSK services, including to support people with MSK conditions to thrive in work and scaling up MSK physical activity hubs in the Community, building on the example of delivering physical activity interventions in local leisure and community centre venues;</p><p> </p><p>The Government also announced a new package of support in Autumn Statement 2023 to: double the number of places on the Universal Support employment programme; launch WorkWell in approximately 15 pilot areas to provide light touch work and health support; explore new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to support; and establish an expert group to advise on a framework for Occupational Health provision.</p><p> </p><p>In October 2022 we published the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.som.org.uk%2Fsites%2Fsom.org.uk%2Ffiles%2FMSK_Health_Toolkit_for_employers_and_further_education_institutions.pdf&amp;data=05|01|Manuel.Ramos27%40dhsc.gov.uk|46179b1e03eb4329a05b08dab1eef870|61278c3091a84c318c1fef4de8973a1c|1|0|638017937164151338|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D|3000|||&amp;sdata=2JT4Zdo8eJA43ZQopeH%2FcvyEfTnkf4GN2W7cZ8lOKFo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health Toolkit for employers and further education institutions</a> which encourages employers to support adolescents and young adults with MSK conditions. The <a href="https://www.bitc.org.uk/toolkit/musculoskeletal-health-toolkit-for-employers/" target="_blank">Musculoskeletal health toolkit for employers</a> was developed in partnership with Business in the Community and provides practical information for employers of all sizes to address MSK conditions in the workplace for the working age population.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/03/2024 11:49:55 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1695107

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
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	Access to Work Programme: Musculoskeletal Disorders
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 ensure that access to work support is targeted towards people with (a) arthritis and (b) a musculoskeletal condition.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	17976
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2024 answer text <p>The Access to Work process assesses the needs of the individual to ensure they have the appropriate support they need to access and stay in work. This includes providing support for people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. We do not specifically promote the scheme to any one type of disability or long-term health condition.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 15/03/2024 11:30:11 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1695108

registered interest
date	11/03/2024
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	Access to Work Programme
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 raise awareness of the access to work programme.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	17977
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/03/2024 answer text <p>Information about Access to Work (AtW) is widely available in Jobcentres and across government, including a range of online resources. Our stakeholders actively promote the scheme to groups and customers that might benefit from support.</p><p> </p><p>Our new online application and payment portals mean that it is now easier for customers to apply for and claim the support they need.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 17904 question first answered 15/03/2024 11:28:21 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1681869

registered interest
date	15/01/2024
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: Disqualification
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 ensure that people who are unable to (a) attend appointments at their local Jobcentre and (b) meet the requirements for receiving benefits as a result of underlying health conditions issues are not sanctioned.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	9551
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/01/2024 answer text <p>All work-related requirements are set in discussion with claimants, who take ownership of planning how they will meet their requirements and ultimately secure employment, if they are able to do so. Generally, work coaches have the discretion to adjust how often the claimant meets with them and how these meetings take place, in light of the claimant’s needs, circumstances and capability.</p><p> </p><p>Should a claimant fail to carry out a mandatory work-related activity that has been agreed and set out in their Claimant Commitment or Work plan, we will ask them why. We will take into account any reasons they provide, including any health conditions, before referring for consideration of a sanction. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take into account all the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good reason, before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.</p><p> </p><p>We also have a well-established system of hardship payments, available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs as a result of their sanction, including accommodation, heating, food and hygiene. All claimants will retain the right to mandatory reconsideration or appeal a decision should they disagree.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 22/01/2024 16:00:17 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1680301

registered interest
date	08/01/2024
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: Neurology
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 ensure that claimants with (a) fluctuating and (b) progressive neurological conditions are able to request to have their entitlements to benefits reviewed throughout their condition.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	8475
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2024 answer text <p>Whenever a claimant goes through the Personal Independence Payment assessment or the Work Capability Assessment, their functional ability, including the impact of any progressive and/or fluctuating condition, is considered and reflected in the outcome decision. The claimant can report a change in their circumstances, for example a deterioration or improvement in their condition, which they consider affects their existing award, at any time. This will be considered on its merits and the case reviewed as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 16/01/2024 17:09:14 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell