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1138284

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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: Fraud
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent fraudulent applications for Universal Credit, in particular for loans, other than issuing warnings about keeping personal details secret.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL17081
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes the prevention of fraud extremely seriously. Part of its strategy includes ensuring Universal Credit transactions are secure, including tackling loopholes fraudsters may seek to exploit, which sadly can target some of our most vulnerable claimants.</p><p> </p><p>It is, however, important to recognise that the vast majority of advances on Universal Credit are legitimate and ensure those in need of financial support get the help they need during their transition to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>All claims where fraud may have been committed are investigated. We are committed to the use of penalties such as prosecutions and tough financial penalties, where appropriate, to discourage this fraudulent behaviour. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we have a dedicated team of investigators to address this issue, and are working with Social Media sites to shut down posts which promote this fraud. The Department also operates a policy of explicit consent to help reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that our claimants’ data is kept safe from unscrupulous organisations and individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is also raising awareness of this issue through a campaign being run on social media to remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity. We have also been working to further improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff and guidance has been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s Counter-fraud team.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL17082 question first answered 05/09/2019 11:37:06 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1138285

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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: Fraud
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent bona fide applicants for Universal Credit suffer penalties, if fraudulent applications are made in respect of them.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL17082
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes the prevention of fraud extremely seriously. Part of its strategy includes ensuring Universal Credit transactions are secure, including tackling loopholes fraudsters may seek to exploit, which sadly can target some of our most vulnerable claimants.</p><p> </p><p>It is, however, important to recognise that the vast majority of advances on Universal Credit are legitimate and ensure those in need of financial support get the help they need during their transition to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>All claims where fraud may have been committed are investigated. We are committed to the use of penalties such as prosecutions and tough financial penalties, where appropriate, to discourage this fraudulent behaviour. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we have a dedicated team of investigators to address this issue, and are working with Social Media sites to shut down posts which promote this fraud. The Department also operates a policy of explicit consent to help reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that our claimants’ data is kept safe from unscrupulous organisations and individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is also raising awareness of this issue through a campaign being run on social media to remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity. We have also been working to further improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff and guidance has been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s Counter-fraud team.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL17081 question first answered 05/09/2019 11:37:06 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1138288

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
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	Social Security Benefits: Uprating
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Buscombe on 8 July (HL16599), what would (1) the weekly rates of Child Benefit, and (2) the monthly rates of Universal Credit standard allowances and child elements have been, if they had been raised in line with the Consumer Price Index.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL17085
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>If the weekly rates of child benefit had been uprated with CPI the rates would have been:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Amount in 2019/20 if they had been uprated with CPI</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>First Child Rate</p></td><td><p>22.05</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Subsequent Child Rate</p></td><td><p>14.60</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>If the monthly rates for the Universal Credit standard allowance and child element had been uprated with CPI from 2016/17 to 2019/20 the rates would have been:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Amount in 2019/20 if they had been uprated with CPI</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Single under 25</p></td><td><p>268.21</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Single 25 and over</p></td><td><p>338.57</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Joint claimants both under 25</p></td><td><p>420.99</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Joint claimants one or both over 25</p></td><td><p>531.46</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Child amount (standard amount)</p></td><td><p>246.79</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>More information on benefit uprating can be found at: <a href="https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8458/CBP-8458.pdf" target="_blank">https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8458/CBP-8458.pdf</a></p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 23/07/2019 13:37:41 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe attachment 1 file name Briefing Paper -Benefits Uprating 2019.pdf title Briefing Paper -Benefits Uprating 2019
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1138292

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran: Tankers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to de-escalate tensions with Iran, further to fears of retaliation over the seizure of the Iranian tanker Grace 1 by the Royal Navy near Gibraltar on 4 July, and in view of the speech made by the Iranian Defence Minister on 8 July, in which he called the seizure a "threatening and incorrect action" and said that Iran "will certainly not tolerate this type of maritime piracy and it will not be left without a response".
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL17089
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2019 answer text <p>Since 4th July, the UK has made strenuous efforts to support the resolution of the Grace 1 issue, which remains subject to a legal process in Gibraltar. The former Foreign Secretary spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister on 17 July with the aim of encouraging de-escalation. However, instead of responding constructively, Iran chose to seize the Stena Impero. The former Foreign Secretary made a statement to the House on 22 July, outlining actions the UK government is taking in response.</p><p>We are clear that under international law, Iran had no right to obstruct Stena Impero, let alone board her. This incident was a breach of the principle of free navigation on which the global trading system and the world economy ultimately depend. We urge Iran to release the Stena Impero and her crew.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 01/08/2019 15:10:10 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1138294

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Leader of the House of Lords
answering dept id	92
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Leader of the House of Lords
hansard heading	Government Bills
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Leader of the House, further to her Written Answer on 3 July (HL16472), what steps are being taken to increase the proportion of government bills published in draft and submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint committee or committee of either House.
tabling member printed	Lord Norton of Louth
uin	HL17091
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is supportive of the role of pre-legislative scrutiny, and looks to take steps wherever possible to facilitate it. In the 2016-17 session, the Government published 3 draft bills. In this session we have published ten draft pieces of legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint committee or a committee of either house, these were: Draft Health Service Safety Investigations Bill; Draft Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill; Draft clause on the Personal Injury Discount Rate - subsequently included in the Civil Liability Bill; Draft Tenants Fees Bill; Draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill 2017; Draft Finance Bill; Draft Registration of Overseas Entities Bill; Draft Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill; Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill; Draft Domestic Abuse Bill.</p> answering member printed Baroness Evans of Bowes Park question first answered 23/07/2019 16:37:03 answering member 4329 label Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
tabling member	3187 label Biography information for Lord Norton of Louth

1138296

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Offenders: Death
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in conducting a national review of deaths under post-release probation supervision, as stated in their response to the 12th report of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Prison Health (HC Paper 963).
tabling member printed	Lord Ramsbotham
uin	HL17093
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2019 answer text <p>In our response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee the Government committed to undertake a review of deaths under post release supervision during 2019-20. Scoping work has been undertaken, and the full review is on track to be completed within this time period. This is in addition to the existing requirement on all probation providers to conduct an internal review following each death, and to share learning from these reviews.</p><p> </p><p>The number of deaths of offenders under post-release supervision decreased from 401 in 2016/17 to 367 in 2017/18, a fall of 8%. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy identifies people in contact with the criminal justice system as a high-risk group, and we recognise that the time following release from prison can be a particularly high-risk period for suicide and for deaths from other causes. The primary role of probation is to protect the public and prevent re-offending, and people under supervision in the community are not in the care of HM Prison and Probation Service in the way that they are when in custody. While probation staff do everything they can to help offenders find access to vital services including healthcare, housing, and treatment for drug and alcohol problems, they do not have sole responsibility for caring for them. The national review aims to identify what further actions may be appropriate to prevent offenders’ deaths, while recognising that a range of other organisations share responsibility for their wellbeing.</p><p> </p><p>We are also investing an extra £22m in ‘through-the-gate’ assistance for offenders, to help them find the support they need on issues such as housing, healthcare and employment, and they have the same access to these services as any other person in the community.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 31/07/2019 12:01:29 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	3744 label Biography information for Lord Ramsbotham

1138297

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Railway Stations: Parking
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is National Rail’s programme for increasing capacity in station car parks to encourage the use of public transport by existing and potential passengers.
tabling member printed	Baroness Randerson
uin	HL17094
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The majority of station car parks are the responsibility of Train Operating Companies. The Department encourages these organisations to identify car parks that are at capacity and work with local partners. The result may be physical car park expansion, or a more innovative approach such as promoting car-sharing. Furthermore, the Department’s Cycle-Rail programme has tripled the number of cycle parking spaces at more than 500 stations, bringing the total to over 80,000 since 2010.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 23/07/2019 15:08:31 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	4230 label Biography information for Baroness Randerson

1138301

registered interest
date	10/07/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies: Pollution Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that water companies meet targets set by the Environment Agency to reduce pollution by 2020.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL17098
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) regularly tracks water company performance and was concerned that sufficient improvements were not being made to meet our targets prior to this year’s poor results.</p><p> </p><p>In response to these results, the EA is taking action and there will be:</p><p> </p><ul><li><p>An increased number of audits and inspections.</p></li><li><p>Requests for companies to produce root cause analysis reports for serious pollution incidents in order to learn from them.</p></li><li><p>Requests for each company to produce a pollution reduction plan signed off at Chief Executive Office (CEO) level which they will be accountable for.</p></li><li><p>Requests for the companies to share good practice proactively as an industry wide response to the problems we are facing.</p></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, in July 2019, the EA has set up a new ‘Improving Water Company Performance’ programme which will tighten regulation to encourage water companies to meet their environmental targets. It is extensive and we anticipate it will take some time to deliver fully.</p><p> </p><p>The programme will include:</p><p> </p><ul><li><p>Enhancing the EA’s regulatory tools, including more and better quality inspections, audits and greater use of technology to remotely monitor operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.</p></li><li><p>Maximising the use of enforcement and sanctions powers to ensure they act as a powerful deterrent.</p></li><li><p>Updating the Environmental Performance Assessment for the 2021-2025 period to include a broader range of measures with tightened standards where appropriate.</p></li><li><p>Working with Ofwat to develop greater links between environmental performance and financial penalties and incentives.</p></li><li><p>Improving our regulation of sewage sludge treatment and disposal to ensure it is sufficiently robust to protect against emerging risks such as chemicals, antimicrobial resistance and micro-plastics.</p></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 24/07/2019 11:50:45 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick