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1127204

registered interest
date	16/05/2019
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: Domestic Abuse
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 16 May 2019 to Question 253698 on Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse, what progress has been made on establishing the practicalities of delivering separate payments in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	255374
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The development of a detailed policy to split payments of Universal Credit in Scotland is something for the Scottish Government to determine.</p><p> </p><p>Any policy has to be capable of implementation and as a consequence must fit with the existing architecture of the system if it is not to undermine system stability for all claimants across Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>Scottish Government final proposals have not yet been shared with the Government. We welcome the great care Scottish Government is taking with this.</p><p> </p><p>When a comprehensive set of proposals has been decided upon by the Scottish Government, we will provide advice on timing and implementation dates, with regard to the wider plan to deliver Universal Credit and the relative priorities of split payment proposals against other demands.</p><p> </p><p>Officials from both Governments continue to explore these issues together to see if a workable solution to the many issues raised can be found.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 21/05/2019 12:50:22 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1126011

registered interest
date	13/05/2019
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: Domestic Abuse
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 25 January 2019 to Question 212664 on Universal Credit: Domestic Violence, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Government on the implementation of separate universal credit payments by default; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	253698
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2019 answer text <p>When an individual suffering from domestic abuse requests a split payment, we will make split payments available to them.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst DWP is not intending to introduce split payments by default, as a department we respond positively to requests for split payments, and can take other actions to support those experiencing abuse, such as making a managed payment of rent direct to landlords. We also ensure that claimants who disclose domestic abuse are signposted to specialist organisations for support. All work coaches undergo mandatory training regarding how to support vulnerable claimants, including recognising the signs of domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to establish the practicalities of delivering split payments in Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 16/05/2019 13:42:04 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1059858

registered interest
date	12/02/2019
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	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the process is for beginning a new universal credit application in the event of a relationship breakdown as a result of domestic violence.
tabling member constituency	Wirral South
tabling member printed	Alison McGovern
uin	220205
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>When a victim comes into a Jobcentre fleeing domestic abuse, we do everything we can to support the victim. Our primary aim is to determine the immediate priority needs for the individual. We support people by helping them to open a new claim and put in place an advance where needed, which provides access to funds in 2-3 hours. Where further or specialised support is required, we seek to establish the best approach for that individual, utilising links with local partnerships and charities. We directly liaise with these organisations immediately and agree next steps with the victim.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 20/02/2019 15:30:26 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern

1059870

registered interest
date	12/02/2019
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	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps staff in her Department are authorised to take when they suspect an abusive partner is attending an appointment with a universal credit claimant.
tabling member constituency	Wirral South
tabling member printed	Alison McGovern
uin	220213
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/02/2019 answer text <p>We always look to deal with vulnerable claimants sensitively and recognise that victims of domestic abuse often find it difficult to discuss sensitive matters.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Each claimant is assigned to a single work coach, which helps build a trusting relationship.<p> </p></li><li>Private rooms are available in almost all Jobcentres so that individuals can discuss sensitive issues with their work coach in private.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>All our work coaches receive mandatory training – developed with input from domestic abuse charities – to help them recognize the signs of abuse.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>By summer 2019, we will have domestic abuse specialists in every Jobcentre to further raise awareness of domestic abuse, and support work coaches</li></ul><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 18/02/2019 14:51:03 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern

1048064

registered interest
date	25/01/2019
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	Universal Credit: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of automatic split payment of universal credit payments to prevent domestic abuse.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	212664
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2019 answer text <p>We believe that most couples can and want to manage their finances jointly without state intervention. However, we recognise that there are circumstances in which split payments are appropriate. Where this is the case, split payments are available on request. Both members of a couple do not need to be present to arrange a split payment and consent is not required from the other partner to authorise a split payment. Claimants can request a split payment during a face to face meeting, a phone call, or online via their journal and do not have to provide evidence of abuse in order to be granted a split payment.</p><p>Not all individuals who are suffering domestic abuse will want a split payment and we work with claimants on an individual basis to provide support that fits with their individual circumstances. Work coaches receive training on domestic abuse and we provide all the support we can when an individual discloses they are suffering from domestic abuse, including signposting them to third party professionals who can provide additional expert advice and support.</p><p>We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to support the development and implementation of their split payment policy, and will observe the implementation of split payments in Scotland further to understand the impacts of such a policy.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 30/01/2019 16:45:14 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

1022893

registered interest
date	10/12/2018
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times the domestic violence and abuse easement to Universal Credit work-related requirements has been applied to date in (1) England, (2) Wales, and (3) Scotland.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL12154
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The Department does not centrally record information on specific easements applied to individual claimants.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL12153 HL12155 question first answered 18/12/2018 16:15:31 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

994010

registered interest
date	24/10/2018
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether, the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of including provisions on automatic split payments in the draft Domestic Abuse Bill.
tabling member constituency	Midlothian
tabling member printed	Danielle Rowley
uin	183352
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2018 answer text <p>The Home Office and the Ministry of Justice led on the recent domestic abuse consultation and draft Domestic Abuse Bill. They will publish their response later this session.</p><p> </p><p>Split payments are already available on request in Universal Credit as part of our Alternative Payment Arrangements. Not all victims of domestic abuse will want a split payment and we work with claimants on an individual basis to provide support that fits their individual circumstances. We will provide all the support we can when an individual discloses they are suffering from domestic abuse, and direct them to third party professionals who can provide additional expert advice.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to support the development and implementation of their split payment policy, and will observe the implementation of split payments in Scotland to further understand the impacts of such a policy.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 29/10/2018 15:03:59 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4628 label Biography information for Danielle Rowley

964497

registered interest
date	03/09/2018
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of easements in benefit conditionality for claimants of universal credit experiencing domestic abuse.
tabling member constituency	Houghton and Sunderland South
tabling member printed	Bridget Phillipson
uin	169330
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2018 answer text <p>No assessment has been made by the Department.</p><p>Universal Credit allows Work Coaches to tailor conditionality, setting requirements based on what is reasonable in the individual’s circumstances. Where a claimant is experiencing domestic abuse, in discussion with the Work Coach, requirements can be tailored and in some circumstances switched off for an agreed period of time.</p><p>There are circumstances when a claimant’s work search and availability requirements must be switched off for an agreed period of time, and other work-related requirements can be lifted too where appropriate. This includes where the claimant has suffered domestic violence and abuse, or periods where a child in their care is suffering distress due to experiencing or witnessing violence or abuse.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/09/2018 11:31:42 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson

938532

registered interest
date	11/07/2018
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: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the introduction of universal credit on the ability of victims of domestic violence to claim the benefits.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Rosie Cooper
uin	163043
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2018 answer text <p>Universal Credit continues to support victims of domestic violence to claim benefits through a range of measures.</p><p> </p><p>These include special provisions for temporary accommodation, easements and same day advances. One-to-one Work Coaches will also signpost domestic violence victims to expert third-party support, and we can provide split payments where individuals in these cases request and where it would be helpful to do so.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 16/07/2018 14:35:40 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	1538 label Biography information for Rosie Cooper

931338

registered interest
date	26/06/2018
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: Domestic Abuse
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 prevent exceptional split payments of universal credit that require the disclosure of abuse.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
uin	157723
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2018 answer text <p>We do not require formal disclosure of abuse to establish split payments for Universal Credit claimants, and we do not ask for any evidence relating to the abuse. An individual can be accompanied by a representative from a third party organisation to provide expert support when disclosing domestic abuse to a work coach.</p><p>All personal information is treated in confidence, and we do not disclose information to third parties without explicit consent. If requested, we can provide access to a private area where information can be disclosed.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 02/07/2018 11:31:44 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger