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92745

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Access to Work advisers have received (1) awareness training in the implications for a particular disability, and (2) training to enable them to work constructively with employers.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1981
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1982 HL1983 HL1986 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:38 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92746

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are monitoring the approaches taken by Access to Work advisers during the assessment and decision-making process, and what measures they are taking to ensure consistency.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1981 HL1983 HL1986 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:39 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92747

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the service delivery standards for the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1983
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1981 HL1982 HL1986 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:39 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92748

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are currently engaging in dialogue with organisations, employers and individuals to guarantee best practice throughout the Access to Work scheme.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1984
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions has conducted a series of meetings and workshops this year with users, disabled people's organisations, employers and other experts to ensure that Access to Work builds on its success in a way that is sustainable and ensures that we can help as many disabled people to fulfil their potential in the workplace as possible.</p><p> </p><p>It is right that larger employers make a contribution to supporting their staff, but we are looking more widely at how we can better support employers to recruit and retain disabled people. We have already made a significant concession on cost share by exempting small employers from cost share, potentially saving businesses with fewer than 50 staff up to £2,400 for each employee who uses the scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1985 question first answered 23/10/2014 14:21:18 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92749

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Access to Work scheme’s allocations on employers’ ability to employ large numbers of disabled employees.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1985
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions has conducted a series of meetings and workshops this year with users, disabled people's organisations, employers and other experts to ensure that Access to Work builds on its success in a way that is sustainable and ensures that we can help as many disabled people to fulfil their potential in the workplace as possible.</p><p> </p><p>It is right that larger employers make a contribution to supporting their staff, but we are looking more widely at how we can better support employers to recruit and retain disabled people. We have already made a significant concession on cost share by exempting small employers from cost share, potentially saving businesses with fewer than 50 staff up to £2,400 for each employee who uses the scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1984 question first answered 23/10/2014 14:21:19 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92750

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Access to Work Programme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to consider individual and local requirements in the provision of Access to Work support for deaf people.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL1986
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>All 128 Access to Work advisers receive training which includes Disability Awareness, Decision Making, Equality &amp; Diversity, Negotiating Skills and Effective Communications. In addition, Access to Work have specialist adviser teams focussing on hearing impaired and visually impaired customers, and also a team to assist customers with mental health conditions. These teams receive additional training, which includes input from suppliers, disability charities and other disability led groups. Also as part of the standard adviser training, staff undertake Influencing Skills and Constructive Conversations training to enable them to work effectively with employers.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work advisers have standardised work instructions to help ensure consistency during the evaluation and decision making process. However, all Access to Work awards are agreed on an individual basis, taking account of a customer’s disability, job role and the barriers they are facing. Standards are monitored using a Quality Assurance Framework which includes the quality of telephone conversations with customers and employers, and the consistency and accuracy of decisions and financial awards.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work aims to contact customers within 7 working days and give 80% of all decisions in 15 working days. Time sensitive requests, such as customer support requirements at interview, are prioritised and are supported by a 5 working day service standard. Demand for Access to Work, particularly new applications, grew during 2013/14 and customer volumes continue to grow in 2014/15.</p> answering member printed Lord Freud grouped question UIN HL1981 HL1982 HL1983 question first answered 23/10/2014 15:24:39 answering member 3893 label Biography information for Lord Freud
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

92754

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Alcoholic Drinks
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the new chief executive of the civil service will have any role in advising them on alcohol pricing or any aspect of their alcohol strategy.
tabling member printed	Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
uin	HL1990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2014 answer text <p>The Chief Executive of the Civil Service is in charge of key corporate functions of Government and accelerating the Government’s efficiency and reform agenda and Civil Service transformation. He will not have any role in alcohol strategy or pricing.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 21/10/2014 11:07:21 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	4159 label Biography information for Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

92756

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Electoral Commission
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 8 July (HL745) and 28 July (HL1102), and in the light of representations made about the names and descriptions of political parties appearing on ballot papers and allegations of electoral malpractice, whether they will review the powers and governance of the Electoral Commission.
tabling member printed	Lord Vinson
uin	HL1992
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The Electoral Commission has a statutory role in registering party descriptions, and already has the power to not register certain types of descriptions, including those which are either offensive or misleading to the voter. These duties are set out in legislation and it is important that the Electoral Commission fulfils these efficiently and effectively. Following an incident earlier in the year when the Electoral Commission mistakenly registered an extremely offensive party description, an independent review made some recommendations about future practice which the Electoral Commission accepted.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has no plans to review the powers and governance of the Electoral Commission. The 11th report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Review of the Electoral Commission, recommended that the role of the Electoral Commission should be streamlined and re-focused into two core roles as a regulator of (a) political party funding and (b) of electoral administration. This recommendation was accepted by Government and the Electoral Commission.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 22/10/2014 15:40:08 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire
tabling member	1807 label Biography information for Lord Vinson

92757

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as a World Heritage Site.
tabling member printed	Lord Patten
uin	HL1993
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The Government has reviewed the status of the World Heritage Site as part of its responsibilities since the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (“Kew”) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Sites on the World Heritage List are of outstanding universal value to humanity and for the conservation of mankind's cultural and natural heritage. Kew was included as a result of its scientific and economic exchanges throughout the world; contribution to scientific advances; outstanding examples of landscape gardens; and the edifices created by celebrated artists.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>UNESCO requires all sites to have a comprehensive Management Plan. Management Plans are generally revised every five years or so. These identify what is important in a World Heritage Site, the threats to the site, and measures to mitigate them; and set out a strategic vision for the future with time measured action plans. The Kew World Heritage Site Management Plan was last revised in 2011 and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that this met UNESCO’s requirements. Kew, along with other parts of the Government, continues to keep the status of the site under review.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Government support, coupled with Kew’s other income streams, enables Kew to exercise its duty of expert care over its historic assets, which are available as a resource for the nation, and for the benefit of scientific research. One of the Management Plan’s priorities for 2011-2016 is the building maintenance programme with special priority to Temperate House. A major £35 million restoration of Temperate House has begun, for which Defra is underwriting £10 million.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 20/10/2014 16:44:11 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

92758

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
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	Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as (1) a scientific centre, and (2) an educational and outreach centre.
tabling member printed	Lord Patten
uin	HL1994
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2014 answer text <p>The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (“Kew”) has a well-deserved global reputation and is widely respected for its pioneering scientific research. The National Heritage Act 1983 defines Kew’s broad objectives and responsibilities, which include scientific research on plants and related subjects; providing related advice, instruction and education; and affording opportunities to the public for the purpose of gaining knowledge.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Defra commissioned an independent review of science at Kew in 2012 to assess the quality, balance, scope, and appropriateness of the programme. This recommended that Kew should develop a clear science strategy and should be very clear where its core strengths lie. Kew’s Director of Science is currently developing a Science Strategy and the results of this should be publicly available in 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The 2012 review noted that Kew showed a good appreciation of the importance of bringing out Kew’s science role to visitors and highlighted the enormous potential for Kew to develop its public awareness and outreach activities. For example, Kew is annually visited by 100,000 children in organised school parties and runs several courses and events per year for the public. Kew is currently reviewing its future plans in relation to its offer to visitors and wider public engagement activity. The aim is to ensure that Kew attracts and engages a larger and wider audience, generates more value from those engagements, and creates a positive impact in relation to public understanding of the importance of plants to everyone’s life.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Defra continues to keep Kew’s performance under review against its Key Performance Indicators, which cover scientific research and visitor numbers, and these are published in Kew’s Annual Report and Accounts.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord De Mauley question first answered 20/10/2014 16:41:22 answering member 2202 label Biography information for Lord De Mauley
tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten