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1136764

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	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
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Buscombe on 25 June (HL Deb, col 1004), what sources they used to inform their statements that the UK (1) delivers the fourth most generous level of welfare support in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), (2) spends more on family benefits than any other country in the G7, and (3) spends the second highest amount on family benefits as a share of GDP, in the OECD.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL16914
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>(1) This statement was due to official error. We are the fourth most generous country according to the UN 2019 World Happiness Report. The UK spends £220bn on welfare each year, providing vital financial support for the most vulnerable in society.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>(2) and (3) These two statements come from OECD 2015 data (<a href="https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?datasetcode=SOCX_AGG" target="_blank">https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?datasetcode=SOCX_AGG</a>). 2015 data is used as it is the most recent full data set. Please note that OECD definitions do not always match UK definitions, but insure data is comparable across OECD countries.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 17/07/2019 14:09:48 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1134313

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Poverty
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Buscombe on 19 June (HL Deb, col 771), on what occasions the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights was "not keen to engage" with UK officials.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL16598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Department for Work and Pensions officials liaised extensively with the Special Rapporteur’s office over the arrangements for his visit to the UK last November. From the outset, his staff were clear that Professor Alston’s priority was to secure meetings with UK Government Ministers.</p><p> </p><p>DWP proposed meetings and round tables with senior officials across the relevant departments so that topics, including health, housing and welfare benefits, could be explored in more detail. The scope and time available for these meetings was significantly curtailed as the Special Rapporteur’s office asked that meetings with parliamentary committees and other public bodies, for example the National Audit Office, be prioritised over meetings with UK Government officials.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 08/07/2019 13:50:34 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1134318

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	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	Poverty
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Buscombe on 17 June (HL Deb, col 652), what is their definition of "absolute poverty".
	tabling member printed	Baroness Primarolo
	uin	HL16603
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Government definitions of low income households are set out in the annual National Statistics publication <em>Households Below Average Income</em>. Someone is in absolute low income (commonly referred to as ‘absolute poverty’), if they are in a household that received less than 60% of the UK median equivalised net household income in 2010/11, adjusted for inflation.</p><p> </p><p>Absolute low income is measured both before and after housing costs. Housing costs include; rent (gross of housing benefit); water rates, community water charges and council water charges; mortgage interest payments; structural insurance premiums (for owner occupiers); ground rent and service charges.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 08/07/2019 13:57:43 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	217 label Biography information for Baroness Primarolo

1130233

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	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	Occupational Money Purchase Schemes
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Buscombe on 5 June (HL15876), whether they intend to legislate to introduce collective defined contribution schemes by the end of 2019.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hain
	uin	HL16094
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to my previous responses. The Government will bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 19/06/2019 15:47:35 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	567 label Biography information for Lord Hain

1138288

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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: Uprating
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Buscombe on 8 July (HL16599), what would (1) the weekly rates of Child Benefit, and (2) the monthly rates of Universal Credit standard allowances and child elements have been, if they had been raised in line with the Consumer Price Index.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL17085
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>If the weekly rates of child benefit had been uprated with CPI the rates would have been:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Amount in 2019/20 if they had been uprated with CPI</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>First Child Rate</p></td><td><p>22.05</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Subsequent Child Rate</p></td><td><p>14.60</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>If the monthly rates for the Universal Credit standard allowance and child element had been uprated with CPI from 2016/17 to 2019/20 the rates would have been:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Amount in 2019/20 if they had been uprated with CPI</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Single under 25</p></td><td><p>268.21</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Single 25 and over</p></td><td><p>338.57</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Joint claimants both under 25</p></td><td><p>420.99</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Joint claimants one or both over 25</p></td><td><p>531.46</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Child amount (standard amount)</p></td><td><p>246.79</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>More information on benefit uprating can be found at: <a href="https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8458/CBP-8458.pdf" target="_blank">https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8458/CBP-8458.pdf</a></p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 23/07/2019 13:37:41 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe attachment 1 file name Briefing Paper -Benefits Uprating 2019.pdf title Briefing Paper -Benefits Uprating 2019
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1139062

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	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	Pension Credit
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of (1) the number, and (2) percentage, of eligible state pensioners who claimed pension credit in (a) 2017–18, and (b) 2018–19; and how many pensioners are forecast to claim that benefit in 2019–20.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Greengross
	uin	HL17147
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>In 2016-17, 1.81m (60 per cent) of eligible state pensioners claimed Pension Credit. Corresponding figures for 2017-18 and 2018-19 are not yet available.</p><p> </p><p>Official statistics on the take-up of income related benefits at Great Britain level, including Pension Credit, can be found in the ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2016 to 2017’ publication on gov.uk.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Historic and forecast benefit expenditure and caseload data relating to DWP benefits at Great Britain level, including Pension Credit, can be found in the ‘Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2019’ publication on gov.uk.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 23/07/2019 12:23:03 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	2518 label Biography information for Baroness Greengross

1133455

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	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	Pensioners: Means-tested Benefits
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of those in receipt of state pensions also receive other means-tested benefits.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Blackstone
	uin	HL16490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>In November 2018, 17 per cent of those in receipt of the State Pension were also in receipt of Pension Credit and / or Housing Benefit.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 27/06/2019 16:07:38 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	3561 label Biography information for Baroness Blackstone

1131883

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2019
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Greater Manchester
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pensioners aged 75 and over receive (1) state pension, and (2) pensioner credit, in each of the ten districts of Greater Manchester.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bradley
	uin	HL16301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>In November 2018, the number of pensioners aged 75 and over claiming the State Pension and Pension Credit in the Greater Manchester districts can be found in the table below.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Pension Credit and State Pension Recipients by district</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>State Pension</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Pension Credit</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bolton</p></td><td><p>21,321</p></td><td><p>4,859</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Bury</p></td><td><p>15,189</p></td><td><p>2,790</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Manchester</p></td><td><p>21,524</p></td><td><p>8,290</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Oldham</p></td><td><p>16,374</p></td><td><p>3,746</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rochdale</p></td><td><p>15,231</p></td><td><p>3,798</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salford</p></td><td><p>16,157</p></td><td><p>4,255</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Stockport</p></td><td><p>27,258</p></td><td><p>4,239</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tameside</p></td><td><p>17,049</p></td><td><p>3,790</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Trafford</p></td><td><p>19,359</p></td><td><p>3,006</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wigan</p></td><td><p>26,354</p></td><td><p>5,416</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 24/06/2019 15:00:45 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	452 label Biography information for Lord Bradley

1135427

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	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	Pension Credit and Television Licences
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that those who are entitled to claim (1) pension credit, and (2) a TV licence from June 2020, but currently do not, take up those benefits.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Jolly
	uin	HL16748
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession would transfer to the BBC. The implementation of the licence fee and the concession from June 2020 is a matter for the BBC and TV Licensing, which are independent of Government.</p><p> </p><p>However, we expect the BBC to put in place robust plans to support those who might be affected. The BBC has said it will write to all over 75 TV licence holders advising them of how the new policy will work and when they need to act.</p><p> </p><p>Irrespective of this, the Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential claimants; including information on gov.uk, in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p> </p><p>Potential claimants can use the Pension Credit calculator to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234.</p><p> </p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible claimants is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up.</p><p> </p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant stakeholders a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the changes introduced on 15 May for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 11/07/2019 15:00:49 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	4203 label Biography information for Baroness Jolly

1135705

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	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	Pension Credit
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that those who are entitled to claim (1) pension credit, and (2) a TV licence from June 2020, but currently do not, take up those benefits.
	tabling member printed	Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
	uin	HL16798
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2019 answer text <p>In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession would transfer to the BBC. The implementation of the licence fee and the concession from June 2020 is a matter for the BBC and TV Licensing, which are independent of Government.</p><p> </p><p>However, we expect the BBC to put in place robust plans to support those who might be affected. The BBC has said it will write to all over 75 TV licence holders advising them of how the new policy will work and when they need to act.</p><p> </p><p>Irrespective of this, the Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential claimants; including information on gov.uk, in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p> </p><p>Potential claimants can use the Pension Credit calculator to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234.</p><p> </p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible claimants is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up.</p><p> </p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant stakeholders a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the changes introduced on 15 May for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 15/07/2019 16:38:11 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	579 label Biography information for Lord Foulkes of Cumnock