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1141279

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
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	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of universal credit claimants that have had a deduction as a result of arrears to their (a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, (e) fifth and (f) sixth universal credit payment in the most recent period for which data is available.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	280971
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances from 12 to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt, so last resort deductions can be applied to protect vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their fuel supply (gas/electricity) cut off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential services. In these cases, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the claimant and their family, deductions may be taken above the 40 per cent limit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be considered</p><p> </p><p>The table below gives the proportion of claims in the first to sixth assessment periods, for which a deduction was taken relating to arrears in February 2019, the latest month which data is available for.  <strong>  </strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Assessment Period</p></td><td><p>% with arrears deductions</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>1</p></td><td><p>1.7%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>3.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>4.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>5.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>6.1%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>6.7%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><strong>Notes</strong></p><p>1. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service.</p><p>2. Figures are rounded to the nearest per cent.</p><p>3. Figures included arrears for gas, electric, water, rent and service charges</p><p>4. We would expect to see overall amount increasing as the caseload and number of claims with deductions increase, but the average over that time also decreases.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/09/2019 15:52:39 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1141281

registered interest
date	23/07/2019
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	Universal Credit: Greater London
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2019 to Question 224493, how much has been deducted from universal credit claimants' standard allowance in (a) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) Poplar and Limehouse constituency in each month since April 2017.
tabling member constituency	Poplar and Limehouse
tabling member printed	Jim Fitzpatrick
uin	280902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/09/2019 answer text <p>The attached table shows the amount deducted from Universal Credit claims in (a) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and (b) the Poplar and Limehouse parliamentary constituency in each month since April 2017 to May 2019, which is the latest month that data is available for.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/09/2019 16:36:28 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince attachment 1 file name PQ280902 data.xlsx title 280902 data
tabling member	197 label Biography information for Jim Fitzpatrick

1140791

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Universal Credit: Mental Illness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 May 2019 on Universal Credit: Mental Illness, whether her Department provides support visits for benefit claimants in secure psychiatric settings.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	280236
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department is committed to supporting vulnerable claimants, such as those with mental health conditions. We understand that these claimants may face extra challenges in their lives. Universal Credit is designed to target resources at those that need them most and to provide support for people who cannot work or need extra help moving towards the labour market.</p><p>If a claimant is unable to complete their business transaction through any other channel, a referral for a visit is sent to DWP Visiting. The majority of DWP Visiting work takes place in claimants’ homes, however appointments can be arranged at an alternative place such as a hospital or low secure unit.</p><p>We recognise the importance of understanding how a mental health condition impacts someone’s ability to prepare for and look for work. That is why we have developed a range of specialised mental health training for work coaches and increased the number of Disability Employment Advisers who can provide additional support where needed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Department is committed to the provision of a safe and healthy working environment for employees and claimants, therefore all our visits, irrespective of location, are individually risk assessed which determines the most appropriate means of engagement.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 26/07/2019 10:25:13 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1140856

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take to limit a person's pension age rise when age eligibility for the state pension is increased.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	280183
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/08/2019 answer text <p>The Government published its review of State Pension age in July 2017. The report can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630065/state-pension-age-review-final-report.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630065/state-pension-age-review-final-report.pdf</a>.</p><p>The next Government review of State Pension age will be completed within six years of that report.</p><p>The Pensions Act 2014 requires the Government to regularly review State Pension age and report to Parliament, to help to ensure the rules about State Pension age are appropriate having regard to life expectancy and the costs of increasing longevity are shared fairly between the generations, and provide greater clarity around the plans for changing State Pension age in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The changes to State Pension age became law following consultation and extensive debates in Parliament. During the passage of the Pensions Act 2011, Parliament introduced limits to person’s State Pension age rise, worth £1.1 billion, which reduced the proposed increase in State Pension age for over 450,000 men and women, meaning that no woman will see her pension age change by more than 18 months, relative to the original 1995 Act timetable.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 12/08/2019 10:22:41 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1140878

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Universal Credit: Severe Disability Premium
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants have lost the severe disability premium following a change of circumstances since the inception of universal credit in (a) Wales and (b) each parliamentary constituency in Wales.
tabling member constituency	Newport East
tabling member printed	Jessica Morden
uin	280184
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2019 answer text <p>It is not possible to confirm exactly how many people in (a) Wales and (b) each parliamentary constituency in Wales became ineligible for the Severe Disability Premium (SDP) following their move to Universal Credit (UC) due to a change in circumstance. This is because each case must be individually assessed to determine whether SDP eligibility would have continued following the end of their claim to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) or Income Support (IS).</p><p> </p><p>Information on claimants of JSA and IS in receipt of SDP who have moved to Universal Credit would incur disproportionate cost in response to a Parliamentary Question.</p><p> </p><p>Regulations announced by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 22 July 2019 provide support for claimants who were entitled to the SDP, and who have already moved to UC. From 24 July 2019, these claimants will be considered for backdated payments covering the time since they moved to UC. We estimate that by 2024/25, approximately 45,000 of the most vulnerable claimants will benefit from this package of support, worth an estimated £600million over the next six years.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 26/07/2019 10:41:01 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	1548 label Biography information for Jessica Morden

1140879

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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: Wales
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many individuals are eligible for pension credit but not claiming the benefit in (a) Wales and (b) each parliamentary constituency in Wales.
tabling member constituency	Newport East
tabling member printed	Jessica Morden
uin	280185
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2019 answer text <p>The information requested on the number of individuals eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it in (a) Wales and (b) each parliamentary constituency in Wales is only available at Great Britain level.</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.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017</a></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 01/08/2019 09:20:34 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	1548 label Biography information for Jessica Morden

1140905

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Universal Credit: Severe Disability Premium
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timeframe is for her Department to bring forward legislative proposals for severe disability premium to be available under universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Sittingbourne and Sheppey
tabling member printed	Gordon Henderson
uin	280278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department laid The Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 before Parliament on 22 July 2019. This means we can identify claimants who are potentially eligible for Severe Disability Premium transitional payments and start making these payments as soon as possible.</p><p> </p><p>From 24 July 2019, eligible claimants will be considered for backdated payments covering the time since they moved to Universal Credit. We estimate that by 2024/25, approximately 45,000 of the most vulnerable claimants will benefit from this package of support, worth an estimated £600million over the next six years.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 26/07/2019 11:05:01 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4050 label Biography information for Gordon Henderson

1140906

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions her Department has registered the child maintenance debt of a non-resident parent with credit rating agencies.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	280279
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2019 answer text <p>This information is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 279455 question first answered 29/07/2019 14:18:24 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1140909

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Children: Maintenance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her Department's criteria is for registering the child maintenance debt of a non-resident parent with credit rating agencies.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	280280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2019 answer text <p>This information is provided in our internal procedures. It is a discretionary decision and intended as a deterrent measure on those who may otherwise choose to evade maintenance payments, so getting more money flowing to the children and separated parents who need it.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We can consider referral to a Credit Reference Agency (CRA) in the following circumstance:</p><ul><li>when a Liability Order is in force against the non-resident</li><li>21 days (plus postage timing and 2 days) have passed since a written notice was posted to the Paying Parent advising them that we intend to supply information about them to a CRA</li><li>the welfare of the child has been considered</li><li>the Paying Parent has not agreed to a payment agreement where the outstanding amount will be repaid in line with our debt steer, of 2 years</li></ul> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 29/07/2019 11:06:25 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1140921

registered interest
date	22/07/2019
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	Department for Work and Pensions: Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Written Question 265470 on Department for Work and Pensions: Pay, how much her Department spent on performance-related awards for Senior Civil Service officials in (a) 2014, (b) 2015, (c) 2016, (d) 2017, (e) 2018 and (f) January to June 2019.
tabling member constituency	Newport East
tabling member printed	Jessica Morden
uin	280191
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2019 answer text <p>Performance-related end year awards are given following the end of each appraisal year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March.</p><p> </p><p>From April 2016 Senior Civil Servants also became eligible for non-consolidated in-year performance awards to recognise outstanding contribution.</p><p> </p><p>Awards have not yet been made for the 2018/19 performance year; the total amounts paid out in end-year and in-year awards for the earlier periods requested are shown below.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Performance Years</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Spend on Performance Related Awards for SCS in DWP </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>£659,675</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>£665,700</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>£719,000</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>£675,392</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 29/07/2019 11:17:12 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	1548 label Biography information for Jessica Morden