Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

175451

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	Offshore Industry: Safety
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Health and Safety Executive about backlogs of safety-critical maintenance work on offshore installations in the North Sea.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	221872
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>DWP ministers have had no such discussions with the Health and Safety Executive.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 28/01/2015 16:03:02 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

175523

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	Disability Living Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many calls were made to the disability living allowance helpline, 08457 123456 in each of the last five financial years; how much revenue was generated from these calls; and by when he expects to end the use of this number.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Mr Frank Field
uin	221919
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>The following table details the number of calls received on the Disability Living Allowance Helpline, 08457 123456 for each of the last five financial years as reported on OPMIS (Operational Management Information Statistics) system.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial year</p></td><td><p>Calls rec’d on 08457123456 helpline</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2009/10</em></p></td><td><p><strong>5,289,494</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2010/11</em></p></td><td><p><strong>4,980,340</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2011/12</em></p></td><td><p><strong>4,760,016</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2012/13</em></p></td><td><p><strong>4,523,861</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><em>2013/14 </em></p></td><td><p><strong>3,631,121</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>DWP received no revenue for calls to this number for the financial years 2009/10 to 2013/14. The DLA Helpline service can also be accessed by dialling 03457 123456. Callers to 08457 123456 are informed of the availability of the 0345 option and are signposted to their telephony provider for advice on which number is cheaper. The use of 0845 numbers were inherited from previous Government and this Department has since introduced 0345 numbers because they are cheaper under most operators’ packages and where they are not, we have kept 0845 numbers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Any charges that apply to these calls will be set by the customer’s telephone or mobile operator. Charge variations will occur due to operator packages and individual price plans. We are aware of possible concerns about call charges to our enquiry lines so we will offer to call a customer back if concerns are raised over the cost of the call.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 28/01/2015 16:32:17 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

175524

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	Telecommunications: Disability
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 9 September 2014 to Question 207976, whether his Department's review of its provision of alternative formats for information provision for blind and partially sighted people has been completed; and if he will make the report of the review available to the disabled people who contributed to it, stakeholder organisations and Members of Parliament.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	221836
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>This Department has conducted a review of information provision for blind and partially sighted people in consultation with a range of stakeholders including partner organisations, charities working with customer groups and benefit claimants.</p><p> </p><p>We are expecting to publish the review in Spring 2015.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 02/02/2015 12:16:39 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

175526

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	Funerals
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 5 January 2015 to Question 219706, what criteria he has used to (a) specify the costs which are necessary for a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral and (b) determine the level of those costs.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	221826
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p> </p><p>The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment provides help towards the cost of funerals for eligible claimants. The amount allowable covers in full the necessary costs, for a burial or cremation. The scheme also provides a significant contribution of up to £700 towards other costs.</p><p> </p><p>Full details about the scheme can be found on the gov.uk website at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/373209/dmgch39.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/373209/dmgch39.pdf</a> paragraph 39261 onwards.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 02/02/2015 13:16:26 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

175527

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	Funerals
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 number of people who are unable to afford a simple, respectful low-cost funeral due to the declining value in real terms year-on-year of Social Fund funeral payments.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	221828
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>My department does not collect data to monitor the types of funerals people choose.</p><p> </p><p>We are conscious of the rise in burial and cremation fees which is why the Social Fund Funeral Expenses scheme covers in full specified necessary costs, such as the necessary costs of buying a new burial plot for the deceased or the cost of any necessary doctor’s certificates for example; plus a significant contribution towards other costs of up to £700. As such, the Government has protected these payments.</p><p> </p><p>The Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme continues to provide help towards a funeral and is not intended to meet all costs that could be associated with the day. The overall average award for 2003/4 was £1019 and in 2013/14 it was £1347. Because we still pay in full the necessary costs the average award is now 32% higher.</p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 02/02/2015 13:43:17 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

175528

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	National Insurance
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 publish the letter sent to people when they receive their national insurance number.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	221829
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>A copy of the letter sent to people by DWP when they have been allocated their National Insurance number via the adult allocation process will be placed in the House of Commons Library.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 02/02/2015 10:59:34 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

175529

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	National Insurance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take in the next three months to advertise how people can (a) get a national insurance number if they do not have one and (b) find out their national insurance number if they do not know it.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	221830
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>Information is readily available at gov.uk advising people:</p><p>(a) how to get a National Insurance number if they do not have one</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number</a></p><p> </p><p>(b) find out their National Insurance number if they do not know it</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/lost-national-insurance-number</a></p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 02/02/2015 11:03:15 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

175530

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	National Insurance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people are informed when they are sent their national insurance number that they will need it in order to register to vote.
tabling member constituency	Bishop Auckland
tabling member printed	Helen Goodman
uin	221864
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p /> <p>The letter issued by DWP advising individuals of their National Insurance number focuses on the primary use of the National Insurance number i.e. for the payment of tax, national insurance contributions and to claim benefit.</p><p> </p><p>The letter directs individuals to gov.uk where information relating to the organisations that need to use the national insurance number is provided. This includes Electoral Registration Officers for Voter Registration.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/your-national-insurance-number" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/your-national-insurance-number</a></strong></p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 02/02/2015 11:09:19 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	1484 label Biography information for Helen Goodman

175531

registered interest
date	23/01/2015
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	Offshore Industry: Safety
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which operational installations in the North Sea have a backlog of safety-critical maintenance work; and what the deadlines are for completion of such work in each case.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	221874
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2015 answer text <p>HSE does not collect the data in the form requested. In its latest Safety Report, the trade body Oil and Gas UK reported an average of 170 man hours backlog per installation for December 2013.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>All duty holders are required to ensure plant is maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In developing its current offshore strategy, HSE consulted widely with operator, contractor and workforce representatives. All identified maintenance backlogs as a significant and persistent issue affecting safety as well as efficient and sustainable production. Inspection of maintenance and asset integrity is a central part of HSE’s offshore intervention strategy. This includes taking enforcement action where duty holders have failed to manage the risk from maintenance backlogs or have failed to identify risks arising from inadequate maintenance.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Forest of Dean answering member printed Mr Mark Harper question first answered 28/01/2015 16:13:34 answering member 1520 label Biography information for Mr Mark Harper
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

175330

registered interest
date	22/01/2015
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	Jobcentre Plus: Disciplinary Proceedings
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Jobcentre Plus staff were subject to disciplinary action in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	221791
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2015 answer text <p>The number of Jobcentre Plus staff subject to disciplinary action in 2010 and 2011 is recorded in the table below. For completeness, I have included the total number of Department for Work and Pensions staff subject to disciplinary action in each of the past five calendar years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Total number of staff subject to disciplinary action</p></td><td><p>Attributable to Jobcentre Plus</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>2,051</p></td><td><p>1,546</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>2,521</p></td><td><p>1,484</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2,055</p></td><td><p>-</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>1,951</p></td><td><p>-</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>1,411</p></td><td><p>-</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Jobcentre Plus ceased to exist as a separate organisation in October 2011 and was consumed within the wider Department for Work and Pensions. Information for Jobcentre Plus is therefore not available beyond September 2011 and Jobcentre Plus information for 2011 is a part year figure only.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 27/01/2015 14:54:25 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms