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1607753

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2023
	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	Support for Mortgage Interest
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	174269
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2023 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> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 174270 question first answered 30/03/2023 16:41:25 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1607754

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2023
	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	Support for Mortgage Interest
	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 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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	174270
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/03/2023 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> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 174269 question first answered 30/03/2023 16:41:25 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1355046

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	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	Support for Mortgage Interest
	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 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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	48189
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 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> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 21/09/2021 14:49:27 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1355047

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2021
	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	Support for Mortgage Interest
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	48190
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 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> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 21/09/2021 15:03:29 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1248338

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2020
	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: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	110783
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 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> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 09/11/2020 14:45:13 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1302185

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2021
	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	Means-tested Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	167854
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2021 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> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 18/03/2021 16:33:30 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince previous answer version 91205 answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1284809

	registered interest
	date	08/02/2021
	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	Cold Weather Payments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	150766
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2021 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> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 11/02/2021 15:32:20 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1350877

	registered interest
	date	18/08/2021
	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: Eligibility
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	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.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	40857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2021 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> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 06/09/2021 12:44:51 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1359231

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2021
	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, whether her Department plans to increase carers allowance in England in line with inflation and the cost of energy during the winter months.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	56234
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2021 answer text <p>The weekly rate of Carer’s Allowance is protected by annual uprating in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The rate for April 2022 will be announced in due course as part of the annual Uprating Statement.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2010, the rate of Carer’s Allowance has increased from £53.90 to £67.60 a week, providing an additional £700 a year for carers. Carers also have access to the full range of social security benefits according to their circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>Real terms expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in 2021/22 is forecast to be £3.2bn. Between 2021/22 and 2025/26 real terms expenditure on Carer’s Allowance is forecast to increase by around a quarter (around £0.8 billion). By 2025/26, the Government is forecast to spend just over £4.0bn a year on Carer’s Allowance.</p><p /> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 25/10/2021 17:00:05 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns

1359002

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2021
	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	Bereavement Support Payment
	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 had made of the potential merits of making Bereavement Support Allowance an ongoing payment with similar criteria to Carers Allowance for those bereaved who have been left with children, using an earning threshold allowance for eligibility beyond the existing 21 months.
	tabling member constituency	Gateshead
	tabling member printed	Ian Mearns
	uin	56088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2021 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to reform Bereavement Support Payment (BSP). BSP is a contributory benefit intended to help with the immediate costs of bereavement. In common with other contributory benefits, BSP is not means tested. Other sources of financial assistance, including Universal Credit, are available for those who require on-going financial support.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst we have no plans for broader reform, on 15th July we laid a draft proposal for a Remedial Order (The Bereavement Benefits Remedial) Order 2021) that will extend eligibility to Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Support Payment to cohabitees with dependent children. Further details can be found on Gov.uk: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-benefits-proposal-for-implementation-of-the-mclaughlin-2018-and-jackson-2020-judgments" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-benefits-proposal-for-implementation-of-the-mclaughlin-2018-and-jackson-2020-judgments</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 56236 56520 question first answered 25/10/2021 16:19:57 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4000 label Biography information for Ian Mearns