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1077284

registered interest
date	25/02/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much money has accrued to the public purse as a result of the benefits freeze in (a) each parliamentary constituency (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	225528
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>An estimate of the notional loss to household income as a result of the benefit freeze can be found at: <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>No assessment has been made of this saving by parliamentary constituency or country.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 04/03/2019 15:25:06 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1077285

registered interest
date	25/02/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants in (a) each parliamentary constituency, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland were subject to the benefits freeze.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	225529
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2019 answer text <p>Information is available for the number of claimants of individual benefits, at different points in time, affected by the benefits freeze.</p><p> </p><p>The available information for claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance is published on the NOMIS website and can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp" target="_blank">https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp</a></p><p> </p><p>Guidance for users can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp" target="_blank">https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp</a></p><p> </p><p>The available information for claimants for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit is published and available at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>Guidance for users is available at:</p><p><a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p><p>Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Communities. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/benefits-statistics" target="_blank">https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/benefits-statistics</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There has been no assessment of the total number of claimants subject to the benefits freeze. Claimants can receive multiple benefits so caseload numbers cannot be added together to estimate the total number subject to the benefits freeze.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 05/03/2019 10:30:17 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1064355

registered interest
date	20/02/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households have been affected by each reform to working-age benefits and tax credits since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
tabling member printed	Frank Field
uin	223829
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 25/02/2019 16:28:50 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	478 label Biography information for Lord Field of Birkenhead

1061300

registered interest
date	14/02/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claimants of (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support that were subject to a mandatory reconsideration were asked whether further evidence has become available since the initial decision stage of their application.
tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
uin	221843
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/02/2019 answer text <p>This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Information for claimants on how to challenge a decision made by the Department is available on GOV.UK.</p><p> </p><p>Where claimants make their Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) application by phone we will gather information on why they think the decision is wrong and ask if they have any further evidence they wish to submit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant has used the MR form available on GOV.UK, then they will be aware that they should submit any additional evidence with the form. If they write a letter, the Decision Maker will determine whether they need any additional evidence and request it accordingly.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton grouped question UIN 221845 question first answered 21/02/2019 15:46:23 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1060641

registered interest
date	13/02/2019
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
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 is taking to ensure that parity of esteem between mental and physical health extends to the social security system.
tabling member constituency	Battersea
tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
uin	221031
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/02/2019 answer text <p>This Department is committed to providing the best possible support to people who have health conditions and disabilities. Assessments used in determining entitlement to disability and incapacity benefits have been designed to assess the impacts of both mental and physical health conditions, and looks at the individual and what they are able and capable of doing, rather than assessing by condition. We also provide a wide range of support designed to help people better manage their conditions, to live more independent lives and take positive steps to return to work, where this is right for the individual.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit is simplifying the benefits system and provides enhanced personalised support for people. All claimants, including vulnerable claimants and those with mental health conditions, receive continuous tailored support managed through personal work coaches, who know each person. We have started to deliver additional training in mental health that will be available to work coaches to build their expertise and provide the most effective support.</p><p> </p><p>Work coaches work closely with people on Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance equivalent and agree personalised support to help move them closer to the workplace.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 21/02/2019 13:56:52 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1054778

registered interest
date	04/02/2019
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
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 is taking to implement safeguards in situations where her Department makes backdated payments of benefits to vulnerable people with mental health issues or drug or alcohol dependencies.
tabling member constituency	Bristol North West
tabling member printed	Darren Jones
uin	216416
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/02/2019 answer text <p>On legacy benefits when we identify a customer is vulnerable every endeavour is made to contact the claimant or their appointee, discuss and explain the high value payment we intend to issue and identify if they have any concerns over receiving such an amount of money. As part of this process both from the conversation and the earlier information we had available we would encourage using split or phased payments if we viewed a risk in making one large payment to the claimant. If we cannot make contact, we will refer to our visiting team to make attempts to visit them at home and have those conversations. On Universal Credit, vulnerability is dealt with on a case-by-case basis so that the necessary support can be given to claimants.</p><p> </p><p>Current payment regulations only permit us to restrict amounts of payments with a claimant’s consent. If we did not feel that claimant was able to manage their affairs, or make that decision for themselves, we would then consider if an appointee was appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is currently working to enhance safeguarding procedures across all benefit products to help staff to identify claimants who may need additional support because their circumstances make them vulnerable. A multi-disciplinary working group is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the processes and procedures we have in place across DWP to identify and support vulnerable claimants who are entitled to backdated payments of benefits. This will include sharing best practice from legacy processes and exploring what more we can do to ensure vulnerable claimants in this situation are given access to the support they need, and developing a proposal for the implementation of these improvements. This will ensure that the Department will be able to fully support the eligible claimants on Universal Credit who will be entitled to a Severe Disability Premium transitional payment.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 07/02/2019 15:42:22 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4621 label Biography information for Darren Jones

1050319

registered interest
date	29/01/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Social Security Benefits
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on reviewing the adequacy of funding for social security benefits.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	908885
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2019 answer text <p>We are projected to spend almost £100bn on working age welfare in GB in 2019/20 – more than in any other year.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 29/01/2019 15:55:44 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1050383

registered interest
date	29/01/2019
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
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 22 October 2018 to Question 182114 on Universal Credit, what definition of genuine hardship is used by her Department to determine whether exceptional circumstances apply to a claim for an advance payment of (a) legacy benefits, (b) personal independence payment and (c) universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Garston and Halewood
tabling member printed	Maria Eagle
uin	213954
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>Advances are available to those receiving Universal Credit, DWP legacy income related benefits (such as Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance), and Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>However, advances are not available for those receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (which are non means tested and for people with personal care and/or mobility needs because of a mental or physical disability).</p><p> </p><p>There is no prescriptive definition of hardship used in determining an advance award in Universal Credit, or a Short Term Benefit Advance for DWP legacy income related benefits: we tailor the support that we provide and consider each case on its own merits given the financial and other circumstances of the claimant and their immediate family.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 06/02/2019 16:25:02 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	483 label Biography information for Maria Eagle

1050592

registered interest
date	29/01/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether any claimants featured in her Department's promotional materials have received payment for doing so in each of the last four years.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	213965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2019 answer text None of the claimants sharing their stories in the Department’s promotional materials have received payment for doing so in each of the last four years.     answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 04/02/2019 14:08:19 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1046014

registered interest
date	22/01/2019
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
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 29 October 2018 to Question 184858, if she will place in the Library a copy of the brief for the quantitative longitudinal research by the National Centre for Social Research into the impact of the Benefit Cap and the qualitative case studies of local authorities.
tabling member constituency	Westminster North
tabling member printed	Ms Karen Buck
uin	211075
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2019 answer text <p>The Department intends to publish this research in Spring 2019. The research publication will include all topic guides and questionnaires used in the research, and an overview of the original research brief.</p><p>The quantitative survey of claimants carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (Natcen), an independent research agency was delivered over two waves, to explore how claimant responses to the cap had changed over time. Wave one was conducted approximately seven months after implementation of the new cap, with 1,900 claimants interviewed. The sample included claimants affected by the cap under both legacy benefit and Universal Credit arrangements, across Great Britain. Wave two was conducted approximately six months later, with over 800 of those same claimants. The survey included questions on the following topics:</p><ul><li>Awareness of the cap and current cap status</li><li>Impacts of the cap on employment and employment related behaviour</li><li>Impacts of the cap on claimants housing and housing related behaviour</li><li>Awareness and use of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs)</li><li>Barriers faced by claimants regarding employment and housing changes</li><li>Broader impacts of the cap (including upon health, relationships and finances)</li><li>Use of available advice and support services</li></ul><p>For the qualitative, case study strand Natcen invited people working at a range of Local Authorities, Jobcentre Plus and local advice and support organisations to take part in research interviews. Local organisations included family support charities, financial charities and credit unions, housing and homelessness support organisations, housing associations, information and advice providing services, women’s charities, food banks and legal charities. The focus of these interviews was on experiences of the introduction of the lower, tiered Benefit Cap and the impacts it had on the services they delivered, and upon claimants affected by the cap. Forty-two interviews were conducted across the six case study areas.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 28/01/2019 15:15:20 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	199 label Biography information for Ms Karen Buck