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754514

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve the transparency of pension costs.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	6382
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2017 answer text <p>It is important that pension savers know the costs and charges they are paying and the government is committed to making this happen. We want pension scheme members to have confidence that there are no hidden charges or fees being taken from their pots.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2015, we have required occupational and personal workplace pension schemes offering money purchase benefits, including master trust schemes, to produce an annual statement, which is available to members; which sets out the level of charges and, as far as they are able, transaction costs applicable to all funds; and the extent to which these charges and costs represent good value for members.</p><p> </p><p>It has previously been difficult for schemes to obtain information about the charges and transaction costs they incur. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) consulted last year on proposals requiring asset managers to disclose this information to trustees of occupational schemes offering money purchase benefits, and the governance committees for workplace personal pensions.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA will publish a Policy Statement later in the year setting out the final rules and guidance to disclose costs in a standardised format. We then intend to consult on how we can provide information about these costs and charges to the members of occupational schemes and to publish it. The FCA will, thereafter, introduce similar provisions for personal workplace pension schemes members.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA’s Asset Management Market Study indicated that there are significant issues with the way the investment market works. Savers, trustees, and scheme sponsors need a transparent, competitive and cost-effective investment market to provide for their security in later life and to keep their pension provision affordable. We will be studying the recommendations and proposed remedies closely to see what else government can do to support the FCA’s vital work in this area, which could deliver favourable outcomes for pension savers.</p><p> </p><p>To drive competitive pressure on asset managers the FCA recommended we look at barriers to scheme consolidation. We know that smaller pension schemes may not be able to negotiate or drive lower prices within this market, which in turn can lead to better outcomes for savers. Following a recent Call for Evidence, we are actively considering ways that we can simplify scheme consolidation and enable pension scheme scale to develop further.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 6008 6009 6011 6012 6381 question first answered 06/09/2017 10:27:04 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

754515

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to tackle the issue of hidden costs in pension pots.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	6381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2017 answer text <p>It is important that pension savers know the costs and charges they are paying and the government is committed to making this happen. We want pension scheme members to have confidence that there are no hidden charges or fees being taken from their pots.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2015, we have required occupational and personal workplace pension schemes offering money purchase benefits, including master trust schemes, to produce an annual statement, which is available to members; which sets out the level of charges and, as far as they are able, transaction costs applicable to all funds; and the extent to which these charges and costs represent good value for members.</p><p> </p><p>It has previously been difficult for schemes to obtain information about the charges and transaction costs they incur. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) consulted last year on proposals requiring asset managers to disclose this information to trustees of occupational schemes offering money purchase benefits, and the governance committees for workplace personal pensions.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA will publish a Policy Statement later in the year setting out the final rules and guidance to disclose costs in a standardised format. We then intend to consult on how we can provide information about these costs and charges to the members of occupational schemes and to publish it. The FCA will, thereafter, introduce similar provisions for personal workplace pension schemes members.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA’s Asset Management Market Study indicated that there are significant issues with the way the investment market works. Savers, trustees, and scheme sponsors need a transparent, competitive and cost-effective investment market to provide for their security in later life and to keep their pension provision affordable. We will be studying the recommendations and proposed remedies closely to see what else government can do to support the FCA’s vital work in this area, which could deliver favourable outcomes for pension savers.</p><p> </p><p>To drive competitive pressure on asset managers the FCA recommended we look at barriers to scheme consolidation. We know that smaller pension schemes may not be able to negotiate or drive lower prices within this market, which in turn can lead to better outcomes for savers. Following a recent Call for Evidence, we are actively considering ways that we can simplify scheme consolidation and enable pension scheme scale to develop further.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 6008 6009 6011 6012 6382 question first answered 06/09/2017 10:27:04 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

754517

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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 plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission on clarifying the duties of pension providers in respect of long-term investment factors.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	6384
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2017 answer text <p>We want pension schemes to take account of all financial long-term risks when making investment decisions, and we therefore welcome the Law Commission’s report.</p><p>We are concerned that some investment decisions may be made with short-term considerations in mind. This can exclude consideration of options that take account of longer term financial factors, such as those arising from material environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks.</p><p>We are concerned that some investment decisions may not appropriately take into account longer term financial factors, such as those arising from material environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks.</p><p>One of the key recommendations is for trustees and providers to clearly distinguish financial risk factors – which must be taken account of; and non-financial (ethical) factors – which can be taken account if certain conditions are met. We will consider afresh whether our current legislation is clear enough in light of the report.</p><p>However, we also wish to address some of the behavioural biases that may exist in the industry, such as the assumption that social motivation and good investment returns are not compatible.</p><p>In line with the protocol agreed by the Lord Chancellor with the Law Commission, we aim to provide an interim response to both the 5 recommendations and the 11 options for reform by December 2017. We will respond in full within one year of publication, by June 2018.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 06/09/2017 11:10:35 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

754523

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	Winter Fuel Payment
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 cost of means-testing the winter fuel allowance.
tabling member constituency	Bootle
tabling member printed	Peter Dowd
uin	6499
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2017 answer text <p>There will be no change to the universal nature of the Winter Fuel Payment for the length of this Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 06/09/2017 10:59:36 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4397 label Biography information for Peter Dowd

754756

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	Unemployed People: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support the mental health of unemployed people.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
uin	6690
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2017 answer text <p>Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced the first steps in our plan to transform the way we deal with mental health problems at every stage of a person’s life. A range of new measures were announced, including two new reviews. In addition, the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health and NHS England’s Implementation Plan set out a series of actions to prevent mental ill health, improve services and reduce stigma.</p><p> </p><p>My department is committed to supporting those with mental health conditions. In October 2016 my department published, jointly with the Department of Health, Improving Lives: the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper. This reflected the Government’s new and ambitious approach to work and health, wishing to join up systems and work widely to change attitudes with employers, within the welfare state, across the health service and in wider society so that we focus on the strengths of those with health conditions and what they can do. Our 15-week consultation engaged with disabled people and people with long term conditions, their families and carers, health and social care professionals, their representative bodies, local and national organisations, employers and charities. The consultation received almost 6000 responses across all sectors. The Government is currently considering the responses and will reach decisions on next steps in due course. My department is also continuing to invest in trials, proofs of concept and feasibility studies to build our evidence base on the best specialist and integrated support for people with mental health conditions.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 6689 question first answered 07/09/2017 10:57:36 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

754757

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	Unemployed People: Mental Health
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 findings of the UK Council for Psychotherapy's analysis of the mental health of unemployed people, published on 16 July 2017; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
uin	6688
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2017 answer text <p>We are committed to listening to stakeholders, including the UK Council for Psychotherapy. In October 2016 my department published, jointly with the Department of Health Improving Lives: the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper. Our 15-week consultation engaged with disabled people and people with long term conditions, their families and carers, health and social care professionals, their representative bodies, local and national organisations, employers and charities. The consultation received 6000 responses across all sectors. The Government is currently considering the responses and will reach decisions on next steps in due course.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 6687 question first answered 07/09/2017 10:49:33 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

754932

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	Unemployed People: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health on the mental health of unemployed people.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
uin	6691
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2017 answer text <p>My department is committed to supporting those with mental health conditions and we are working across government to provide and improve integrated health and employment support. We are more than doubling the number of employment advisers in talking therapies and we will be investing nearly £115m to implement trials which will build our evidence base on what works to help people with health conditions to return to or gain employment</p><p> </p><p>In October 2016 my department published, jointly with the Department of Health, Improving Lives: the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper. This reflected the Government’s new and ambitious approach to work and health, wishing to join up systems and work widely to change attitudes with employers, within the welfare state, across the health service and in wider society so that we focus on the strengths of those with health conditions and what they can do. Our 15-week consultation engaged with disabled people and people with long term conditions, their families and carers, health and social care professionals, their representative bodies, local and national organisations, employers and charities. The consultation received almost 6000 responses across all sectors. The Government is currently considering the responses and will reach decisions on next steps in due course.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 07/09/2017 11:02:26 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

754933

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	Unemployed People: Mental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support the mental health of unemployed people.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
uin	6689
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2017 answer text <p>Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced the first steps in our plan to transform the way we deal with mental health problems at every stage of a person’s life. A range of new measures were announced, including two new reviews. In addition, the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health and NHS England’s Implementation Plan set out a series of actions to prevent mental ill health, improve services and reduce stigma.</p><p> </p><p>My department is committed to supporting those with mental health conditions. In October 2016 my department published, jointly with the Department of Health, Improving Lives: the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper. This reflected the Government’s new and ambitious approach to work and health, wishing to join up systems and work widely to change attitudes with employers, within the welfare state, across the health service and in wider society so that we focus on the strengths of those with health conditions and what they can do. Our 15-week consultation engaged with disabled people and people with long term conditions, their families and carers, health and social care professionals, their representative bodies, local and national organisations, employers and charities. The consultation received almost 6000 responses across all sectors. The Government is currently considering the responses and will reach decisions on next steps in due course. My department is also continuing to invest in trials, proofs of concept and feasibility studies to build our evidence base on the best specialist and integrated support for people with mental health conditions.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 6690 question first answered 07/09/2017 10:57:36 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

754934

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	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 projected number of children under the age of five who live in households that will be affected by the freeze on tax credits and jobseeker's allowance in (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18, (c) 2018-19 and (d) 2019-20.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	6670
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2017 answer text <p>HMRC publishes annual estimates of child and working tax credits.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/613423/cwtc-main-Apr17.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/613423/cwtc-main-Apr17.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Provisional estimates for 2016/17 show approximately 1.84 million children under 5 living in families in receipt of tax credits.</p><p> </p><p>An Impact Assessment was also published alongside the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. This considers impacts of the freeze on households and on protected groups including children and lone parents.</p><p><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>However, information on the children of recipients of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is not collected, and projections beyond 2016 of children under the age of 5 living in households in receipt of either tax credits or JSA have not been estimated.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 07/09/2017 09:05:24 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

754935

registered interest
date	20/07/2017
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	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 projected number of children under the age of five who live in households that will be affected by the benefits cap in each of the next five years.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	6669
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2017 answer text <p>The Department does not hold any projections of the number of children under the age of 5 affected by the benefit cap.</p><p> </p><p>To collate and add on the additional data for all children under 5 and quality assure the figures to answer this PQ would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The Department published ad-hoc statistics in July 2017 which estimated that 56,000 households fall into the scope of the lower benefit cap in 2016/17. (Source: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-estimated-impact-on-parents-by-age-of-youngest-child" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-estimated-impact-on-parents-by-age-of-youngest-child</a>, Table 1, Estimated number of households in scope for the lower benefit cap prior to its introduction, by family type and age of youngest child: 2016/17).</p><p> </p><p>This does not take account of behavioural changes where people make the choice to move into employment or increase their hours of work or taken other action to move out of scope for the cap.</p><p> </p><p>The Department published an Impact Assessment on the introduction of the lower benefit cap in August 2016. (Source: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/548741/welfare-reform-and-work-act-impact-assessment-for-the-benefit-cap.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/548741/welfare-reform-and-work-act-impact-assessment-for-the-benefit-cap.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 07/09/2017 08:49:39 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham