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943367

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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	Universal Credit
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report by End Hunger UK, Fix Universal Credit, published in July; and what steps they are taking to respond to the criticisms of Universal Credit made in that report.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9585
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The Department follows a test and learn approach to Universal Credit, with a number of changes being delivered following feedback from stakeholders and other interested parties during the last few months. These include:</p><ul><li>From 29 November 2017, introducing Freephone numbers for Universal Credit phone lines.</li><li>From 3 January 2018, extending the repayment period of Universal Credit advances to 12 months, with claimants now able to apply for up to 100 per cent of their estimated monthly entitlement upfront (and from July 2018 claimants can apply for an advance online). These can be paid on the same day where there is urgent need.</li><li>From 14 February 2018, removing the seven day waiting period that some claimants faced at the start of their claim.</li><li>From 11 April, providing an additional payment for claimants already receiving support towards their housing costs of two weeks of their Housing Benefit to support them as they transfer onto Universal Credit. Claimants will not be required to repay this money.</li></ul><p>We engage at a personal and individual level with all of our claimants and are committed to tailoring the support we give, and any conditionality requirements, to the specific circumstances of the individual. Our work coaches undergo a comprehensive training and accreditation programme. Telephony or face to face services are also in place for those vulnerable claimants who cannot self-serve online.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Support is available to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit and we are investing £200 million into budgeting and digital support to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>In 2016, the Department trialled a new process for JSA sanctions in response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s recommendations to review the JSA sanction process. The trial involved 6,500 claimants, with the findings (Jobseeker’s Allowance Sanctions Early Warning Trial Evaluation – Final report) published on 21 May 2018. Given the low proportion of cases in which claimants provided further evidence and the even lower proportion of cases where decision outcomes were changed, the Department has decided not to implement this trial process more widely, and will instead consider alternative processes.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our test and learn approach we will continue to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure Universal Credit continues to be introduced in a measured and careful way. Universal Credit ensures claimants are better off when they move into work, by smoothing the transition into work and replacing the benefits cliff edge of the past.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:10:01 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943368

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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	Universal Credit
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they will provide to those who are unable to use online forms and communications in relation to Universal Credit.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9586
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The Department is committed to providing personalised support for all claimants, including vulnerable groups. Each individual’s circumstances are different and therefore their barriers to work and the support needed must be tailored to these needs.</p><p> </p><p>Face to face and telephony support is in place for those vulnerable claimants who cannot self-serve online; the Universal Credit telephone helpline is now a free phone number.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Support provides Universal Credit claimants with additional help to use a computer to make or maintain their claim (Assisted Digital Support), help in managing their monthly Universal Credit payment and possible advice on their finances (Personal Budgeting Support).</p><p> </p><p>In certain circumstances, where a claimant is unable to manage their own affairs, an appointee can act on their behalf, taking responsibility for making and maintaining any benefit claim. An appointee can be an individual, e.g. a friend or relative, an organisation or representative of an organisation, e.g. a solicitor or local council. The process for enlisting a DWP appointee includes a visit to the claimant and an interview with the potential appointee.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:08:52 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943369

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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	Universal Credit: Disqualification
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) people, and (2) dependants are currently subject to Universal Credit sanctions; and what plans they have for reducing that number.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9587
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The number of people on Universal Credit with a sanction deduction in February 2018 was 31,720 against a total number of 774,600 people on Universal Credit at that time.</p><p> </p><p>Under Universal Credit dependants in a household cannot be sanctioned.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>As a sanction is only applied when a claimant fails to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason, the Department does not have expectations on the numbers of sanctions that will be applied.</p><p> </p><p>However, we take a number of steps to ensure claimants are supported to meet their conditionality requirements. Work coaches tailor claimants’ conditionality requirements, and the support they require to meet them, to their individual circumstances and capabilities. They work with claimants to agree their conditionality requirements, explaining what could happen should they fail to meet them. Claimants are given every opportunity to explain why they failed to meet their agreed conditionality requirements before a sanction decision is made. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take all the claimant’s individual circumstances and any evidence of good reason provided, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.</p><p> </p><p>We review processes and learning materials continuously and have a strong quality assurance framework in place.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:10:37 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943390

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Hajer Mansoor Hassan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make any representations to the Bahraini authorities in relation to the targeting of Hajer Mansoor Hassan by the head of Bahrain’s Isa Town Prison, Major Maryam Albardoli, following the engagement of her son-in-law, Sayed Alwadaei, with the UN and the UK Parliament.
tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
uin	HL9604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>​We encourage those with concerns about treatment in detention to report these to the appropriate oversight body in Bahrain. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift and thorough investigations into any such claims. We understand that the National Institution for Human Rights and the Ministry of Interior Ombudsman are aware of this case and are monitoring the situation, and have been in touch with Ms Mansoor. We have raised the case with the Government of Bahrain and continue to monitor the situation.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/07/2018 12:14:30 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

943392

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Hajer Mansoor Hassan
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 16 April (HL6839), what assessments have since been made on the ability of Bahraini human rights defender, Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, to continue his work in the UK given the recent threats and reprisals facing his imprisoned mother-in-law, Hajer Mansoor Hassan.
tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
uin	HL9606
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>We have received assurances from the Bahraini authorities that there have been no reprisals against the family members of Sayed Alwadaei. We understand that he has been able to continue his work in the UK.</p><p>We encourage those with concerns about treatment in detention to report these to the appropriate oversight body. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift and thorough investigations into any such claims.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/07/2018 12:14:49 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

943393

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yusuf al-Jamri
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have filed the case of Bahraini online activist Yusuf al-Jamri under the UK Torture and Mistreatment Reporting Guidance.
tabling member printed	Lord Scriven
uin	HL9607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office registers details of alleged torture whenever this comes to the attention of a UK official in the course of their duties, in line with the UK Torture and Mistreatment Reporting Guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/07/2018 12:15:06 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4333 label Biography information for Lord Scriven

943401

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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	Older Workers: Discrimination
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to address age discrimination in the workplace and to ensure that older workers remain competitive.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL9614
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The number of workers aged 50 and over currently in employment is at a record high of 10.1 million - an increase of 1.4 million over the last 5 years and an increase of 2.2 million over the last 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>The Equality Act 2010, already provides strong protection against direct and indirect age discrimination in employment and makes it unlawful for an employer or an employment service provider such as a recruitment agency, to discriminate against an older employee or job applicant because of their age, and this applies both where the employer is making arrangements to fill a job, and in respect of anything done during the course of a person’s employment. DWP continues to work with businesses and stakeholder organisations to support older workers to remain in and return to work and challenge outdated perceptions about older workers.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to supporting people aged 50 and over to remain in and return to the labour market and in Feb 2017, published a new strategy ‘Fuller Working Lives: A Partnership Approach’. The Strategy is led by employers, but also sets out the case for action by individuals, and the role of Government in supporting older workers to remain in and return to work. The Strategy and supporting evidence base are available on the gov.uk website. Additionally, the Government announced a National Retraining Scheme in the Autumn Budget 2017 - an ambitious, far-reaching programme to drive adult learning and retraining. The National Retraining Scheme will give individuals the skills they need to progress in work, redirect their careers and secure the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future, focusing on those individuals and places who need it most.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL9669 question first answered 31/07/2018 12:11:40 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

943410

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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	Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether consideration has been given to incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into UK law prior to the UK’s exit from the EU in March 2019.
tabling member printed	Baroness Thomas of Winchester
uin	HL9621
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>We are fully committed to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The UK as a general principle does not incorporate international treaties into domestic law. However, the Equality Act 2010 (EA2010) enshrines the rights of people in Great Britain with any of nine protected characteristics to live free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation and have equal opportunities in domestic law. The decision to withdraw from the EU does not change this.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:11:58 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	3785 label Biography information for Baroness Thomas of Winchester

943413

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Palestinians: Demonstrations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Palestinian Authority regarding the Palestinian Authority Security Force breaking up a non-violent Palestinian demonstration in Ramallah.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL9624
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>​Our Consul General in Jerusalem raised our concerns over the actions of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces and police during the demonstration held in Ramallah on 13 June with senior officials from the PA multiple times in June and July. The PA has accepted that there were mistakes in the policing and has undertaken to learn from these mistakes.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/07/2018 12:12:21 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge

943415

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Jerusalem: Palestinians
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about (1) the closure of two universities in East Jerusalem, and (2) the banning of an academic conference due to be held to discuss the status of Muslim endowment and property, and the protection of Islamic status and Christian heritage in Jerusalem.
tabling member printed	Baroness Tonge
uin	HL9625
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>While we have not raised these issues, we will continue to press the Israelis and Palestinians strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions which make peace more difficult.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 31/07/2018 12:13:06 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	200 label Biography information for Baroness Tonge