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1143077
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-09-02more like thismore than 2019-09-02
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Working Links more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions officials of her Department have had with their counterparts in the Ministry of Justice on the correspondence entitled Working Links: Ministerial direction confirmation letter from the Secretary of State for Justice, published on 8 May 2019; and if she will introduce similar financial protections for permitted subcontractors as set out in that correspondence to her Department’s Working Links subcontractors. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 284751 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-09-05more like thismore than 2019-09-05
star this property answer text <p>DWP Commercial have had discussions with MOJ colleagues to clarify the MOJ Ministerial direction correspondence published on 8 May 2019.</p><p>The MOJ are making payments to a small number of Permitted Sub Contractors on the basis of a) the unique nature of their services (statutory services) and b) the structure of their current market in the context of the transformation announced on 16 May 2019.</p><p>The Department considered the impact on stakeholders and sub-contractors, based on the Administrator’s statement of affairs at the point of Working Links going into administration, and has worked with both the Administrator and Fedcap, who have taken over a number of Working Links contracts, to minimise the impact on those supply chain partners owed monies by Working Links at the point of administration.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-09-05T13:31:53.467Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-05T13:31:53.467Z
star this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1607753
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2023-03-27more like thismore than 2023-03-27
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Support for Mortgage Interest more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Bank of England Base Rate increases on the Support for Mortgage Interest Scheme (SMI); and whether he plans to uprate the interest rate of 2.09 per cent on which the SMI payments are calculated. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 174269 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2023-03-30more like thismore than 2023-03-30
star this property answer text <p>The interest rate we pay for SMI is based on the Bank of England published average mortgage rate.  We do not align payment to the base rate because this would lead to uncertainty for both borrower and lender as well as increasing the administrative burden.</p><p> </p><p>An increase to the rate paid through the SMI scheme was triggered on Wednesday 29th March 2023.This rate increased from 2.09% to 2.65% and will be implemented on 10<sup>th</sup> May 2023. Any further changes to the standard interest rate will only occur when the Bank of England average mortgage rate differs by 0.5 percentage points or more from the rate in payment.</p><p> </p><p>We currently have no plans to amend the calculation of SMI. We have selected the Bank of England’s published average rate because it is the average interest rate that applies to outstanding mortgages, including fixed and variable mortgages. The Bank of England data is the most reliable as it is based on information that covers over 75% of all banks and building societies’ mortgage business. It is also updated on a regular (monthly) basis.</p><p> </p><p>If we were to base the rate we pay on the Bank of England Base rate, we would pay over and above the average interest rate paid by fixed rate mortgage holders. Conversely, the rate would be too low when the base rate is set at a low level such as the 0.1 base rate between March 2020 and December 2021.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Mid Sussex more like this
star this property answering member printed Mims Davies more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 174270 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2023-03-30T16:41:25.817Zmore like thismore than 2023-03-30T16:41:25.817Z
star this property answering member
4513
star this property label Biography information for Mims Davies more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1607754
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2023-03-27more like thismore than 2023-03-27
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Support for Mortgage Interest more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of fixing the interest rate used to determine payments under the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme to a set amount above the Bank of England Base Rate to better reflect the impact on those in receipt of SMI. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 174270 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2023-03-30more like thismore than 2023-03-30
star this property answer text <p>The interest rate we pay for SMI is based on the Bank of England published average mortgage rate.  We do not align payment to the base rate because this would lead to uncertainty for both borrower and lender as well as increasing the administrative burden.</p><p> </p><p>An increase to the rate paid through the SMI scheme was triggered on Wednesday 29th March 2023.This rate increased from 2.09% to 2.65% and will be implemented on 10<sup>th</sup> May 2023. Any further changes to the standard interest rate will only occur when the Bank of England average mortgage rate differs by 0.5 percentage points or more from the rate in payment.</p><p> </p><p>We currently have no plans to amend the calculation of SMI. We have selected the Bank of England’s published average rate because it is the average interest rate that applies to outstanding mortgages, including fixed and variable mortgages. The Bank of England data is the most reliable as it is based on information that covers over 75% of all banks and building societies’ mortgage business. It is also updated on a regular (monthly) basis.</p><p> </p><p>If we were to base the rate we pay on the Bank of England Base rate, we would pay over and above the average interest rate paid by fixed rate mortgage holders. Conversely, the rate would be too low when the base rate is set at a low level such as the 0.1 base rate between March 2020 and December 2021.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Mid Sussex more like this
star this property answering member printed Mims Davies more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 174269 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2023-03-30T16:41:25.893Zmore like thismore than 2023-03-30T16:41:25.893Z
star this property answering member
4513
star this property label Biography information for Mims Davies more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1355046
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-09-13more like thismore than 2021-09-13
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Support for Mortgage Interest more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to reform Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) for homeowners facing financial difficulties by (a) reducing the time between claiming SMI and receiving the first payment from 39 weeks to 13 weeks and (b) removing the zero earnings rule linked to universal credit that prevents people in any paid work from claiming SMI. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 48189 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-09-21more like thismore than 2021-09-21
star this property answer text <p>In the legacy system, those in work but on low income received support via the Tax Credit system. There was no help in Tax Credits towards mortgage interest payments and that principle was carried forward into Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Those with earned income will all benefit from the earnings taper and may also benefit from the work allowances. his means that they are in a better position to meet their mortgage commitments than those without earnings.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no plans to amend the Support for Mortgage Interest qualifying period or the zero earnings rule.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-09-21T14:49:27.01Zmore like thismore than 2021-09-21T14:49:27.01Z
star this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1355047
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-09-13more like thismore than 2021-09-13
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Support for Mortgage Interest more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the zero earnings rule linked to universal credit applies to Support for Mortgage Interest loans. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 48190 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-09-21more like thismore than 2021-09-21
star this property answer text <p>In the legacy system, those in work but on low income received support via the Tax Credit system. There was no help in Tax Credits towards mortgage interest payments and that principle was carried forward into Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Those with earned income will all benefit from the earnings taper and may also benefit from the work allowances. his means that they are in a better position to meet their mortgage commitments than those without earnings.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no plans to amend the Support for Mortgage Interest qualifying period or the zero earnings rule.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-09-21T15:03:29.767Zmore like thismore than 2021-09-21T15:03:29.767Z
star this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1248338
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-11-03more like thismore than 2020-11-03
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading State Retirement Pensions: Coronavirus more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to increase the state pension allowance to account for the increased utility costs of people spending an increased amount of time in their homes during the covid-19 outbreak. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 110783 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2020-11-09more like thismore than 2020-11-09
star this property answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and the State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. In response to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Government has introduced an Uprating Bill to ensure we can increase State Pension and Pension Credit rates for 2021/22.</p><p> </p><p>In April 2020, full amounts of the basic and new State Pensions increased by 3.9%, in line with average earnings growth. The full yearly rate of the basic State Pension is now worth over £1,900 more than it was in 2010.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has committed to keeping the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment gives reassurance, particularly to poorer pensioners that they can keep warm during the colder months. We will continue to pay £200 for households with somebody who has reached State Pension age and is under age 80 or £300 for households with somebody aged 80 and over. This is a significant contribution towards a household’s winter fuel bill.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Pensioners whose financial circumstances have been affected by the pandemic may be eligible for Pension Credit. Pension Credit tops up a person’s other income to a standard minimum weekly amount – £173.75 for single people or £265.20 for a couple. Extra amounts are also payable in respect of disability, caring (including for children) and certain housing costs. An award of Pension Credit can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills or health costs.</p><p> </p><p>Pension Credit customers who are in receipt of the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit element, are also entitled to the warm home discount providing their energy supplier is part of the scheme. Further details can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme</a></p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-11-09T14:45:13.937Zmore like thismore than 2020-11-09T14:45:13.937Z
star this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1247520
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-10-30more like thismore than 2020-10-30
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to apply the temporary £20 weekly uplift to universal credit to (a) existing legacy benefits and (b) job seekers' allowance. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 109303 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2020-11-04more like thismore than 2020-11-04
star this property answer text <p>The Government introduced a package of temporary welfare measures worth around £9.3 billion this year to help with the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the £20 weekly increase to the Universal Credit Standard Allowance rates as a temporary measure for the 20/21 tax year. There are no plans to extend this to legacy benefits.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-11-04T13:42:46.47Zmore like thismore than 2020-11-04T13:42:46.47Z
star this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1302185
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-03-12more like thismore than 2021-03-12
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Means-tested Benefits more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what calculation is used to determine the appropriate capital threshold limits for welfare benefits which are means tested and which are not payable in the event that a claimant holds savings or capital above the set threshold. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 167854 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-03-18more like thismore than 2021-03-18
star this property answer text <p>The capital thresholds strike a balance between protecting less well-off people and the taxpayer, whilst at the same time recognising the conscientious efforts of people who have built up capital. This limit also ensures that the help which comes from taxpayers, many of whom are themselves on low incomes and have limited capital, is directed to people who need it most. Whilst it is important to encourage saving, it has never been thought right for substantial amounts of capital to be ignored, therefore it is also reasonable that there should be a capital limit above which benefits are not available. The current system allows people to continue to receive benefit even though they may have an amount of capital, by gradually reducing the level of their entitlement.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-03-18T16:33:30.663Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-18T16:33:30.663Z
star this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property previous answer version
91205
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1284809
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-02-08more like thismore than 2021-02-08
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Cold Weather Payments more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to change the measure for the Cold Weather Payment scheme from the actual temperature to the feels like temperature. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 150766 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-02-11more like thismore than 2021-02-11
star this property answer text <p>There are no plans to use the “feels like” temperature as a basis for Cold Weather Payments. Feels like temperature is the perception of external temperature rather than a measured air temperature. Cold Weather Payments are designed to contribute to the additional costs of heating homes in unseasonably cold weather, while “feels like” temperature does not impact on the amount of heating that homes require.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-02-11T15:32:20.69Zmore like thismore than 2021-02-11T15:32:20.69Z
star this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this
1350877
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2021-08-18more like thismore than 2021-08-18
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions remove filter
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Carer's Allowance: Eligibility more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
unstar this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans to extend eligibility for carer's allowance to enable people who claim personal independence payments to appoint registered providers to provide care services using that allowance. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Gateshead more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Ian Mearns remove filter
star this property uin 40857 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2021-09-06more like thismore than 2021-09-06
star this property 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. It is not now, nor was it ever intended to be, a carer's wage nor a payment for the services of caring.</p><p> </p><p>Entitlement to Carer's Allowance depends on certain conditions relating to the circumstances of both the disabled person and the carer being satisfied. The carer must provide a minimum of 35 hours care a week for the disabled person who must be receiving a qualifying disability benefit, such as the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. The carer must be aged 16 or over; should not be in full-time education; or receiving earnings above £128 a week, net after the deduction of certain allowances.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
star this property answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2021-09-06T12:44:51.393Zmore like thismore than 2021-09-06T12:44:51.393Z
star this property answering member
4105
star this property label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4000
star this property label Biography information for Ian Mearns more like this