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1109019

registered interest
date	02/04/2019
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	Food Banks: Scotland
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 her Department has made of the level of foodbank use in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	240070
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions has not made an assessment of the levels of foodbank use in Scotland.</p><p>The welfare system provides a strong safety net for those who need it, spending over £95 billion a year on welfare benefits for people of working age. This includes a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans as an additional safeguard for those who need them.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentre mangers have discretion to work with food banks in their local area; and we are exploring how to build on current good practice to make it as easy as possible for food banks to identify and refer back to the local Jobcentre any customers who may not be receiving the full formal support to which they are entitled</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 08/04/2019 15:57:42 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1109020

registered interest
date	02/04/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Hospitality Industry and Retail Trade: Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to increase the pay of workers in the (a) hospitality and (b) retail sectors.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	240071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to building an economy that works for everyone. We demonstrated this commitment in April by raising the National Living Wage to £8.21, a 4.9% increase from last year, and bringing in inflation-beating rises to the National Minimum Wage. An estimated 2.1 million workers will benefit from the most recent increases, and the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage worker have increased by over £2,750 since the introduction of the National Living Wage in April 2016. Latest constituency estimates from April 2018 suggest that 2,900 workers in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill were on one of the minimum wage rates.</p><p> </p><p>We estimate that in the UK 429,000 workers in the hospitality sector and 347,000 workers in the retail sector will benefit from the increases in the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage from 1 April 2019.</p><p> </p><p>The industry-led Retail Sector Council recently agreed its priority work areas for the next two years, one of which focuses on employment protections. A senior industry figure will lead each of these work groups and bring proposals for action for both industry and Government back to the Council for consideration. The Tourism Industry Council is also working closely with Government Ministers to help improve in-work training and progression opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 10/04/2019 13:11:14 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1105123

registered interest
date	26/03/2019
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	Workplace Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress her Department has made on the consultation into legislating for collective defined contribution pension schemes in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	237106
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government’s consultation on Collective Defined Contribution schemes closed in January 2019. A formal Government response to the consultation, including a summary of respondents’ views, was published on Monday 18th March and a Written Ministerial Statement was laid before the House (HCWS1422). The consultation response can be found here:</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/delivering-collective-defined-contribution-pension-schemes" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/delivering-collective-defined-contribution-pension-schemes</a></p><p> </p><p>I am grateful for the comments and support received in response to the consultation, and the Department now intends to move forward with legislating to facilitate single and associated employer Collective Defined Contribution scheme provision as soon as Parliamentary time allows and detailed drafting of the proposed measures has been considered and then actioned.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 02/04/2019 16:27:27 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1104926

registered interest
date	25/03/2019
answering body	Church Commissioners
answering dept id	9
answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
hansard heading	Church of England: Lewisham
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church of England has a financial interest in (a) Tidemill Green and (b) the site of Old Tidemill School in Deptford.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	236555
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2019 answer text <p>The Church of England, the Church Commissioners and the Diocese of Southwark have no financial interest in the site of the former parish church of Christ Church, Deptford.</p><p>The land was sold by the Church Commissioners in 1937. The parish of Christ Church was merged with St Nicholas Church in 1936 to form the parish of St Nicholas with Christ Church. Following significant bomb damage, the Christ Church buildings were demolished in 1937 and the site sold to the London Borough of Lewisham. Housing and a school building now occupy the majority of the site</p><p> </p><p>At the point of sale to the Borough of Lewisham, the usual covenants were placed on a small section of the property which formed the site of the former Church. This covenanted area is outside of the area currently used as a wildlife garden and the school. The covenanted area is to be found at the back of Frankham House. No restrictions were placed on the rest of the property to the north of Reginald Road.</p> answering member constituency Meriden answering member printed Dame Caroline Spelman question first answered 27/03/2019 13:24:14 answering member 312 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Spelman
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1104939

registered interest
date	25/03/2019
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the bedroom tax on payments to universal credit claimants.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	236558
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2019 answer text <p>The removal of Spare Room Subsidy was monitored and evaluated over a two-year period from April 2013. The interim report that was published in July 2014 identified that claimants were either increasing their hours of work, or earnings in order to meet the shortfall in their rent. The final report was published in December 2015 and this showed that the policy promoted more effective use of housing stock and encouraging people to enter work and increase their earnings. We are therefore maintaining this policy and continue to protect vulnerable claimants who require additional support through Discretionary Housing Payments.</p><p /><p /> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 01/04/2019 16:16:07 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1104943

registered interest
date	25/03/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all workers on trial periods are paid.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	236559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2019 answer text <p>National Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation proscribes unpaid work trials that are excessive and not part of a legitimate recruitment process.</p><p>This Government is committed to cracking down on employers who fail to pay the National Minimum or Living Wage. In the last 3 years we have almost doubled HMRC’s budget to enforce the NMW from £13.2 million to a record £26.3 million. In the 2017/18 financial year, HMRC identified a record £15.6 million in arrears for over 200,00 workers.</p><p>In December 2018, the Government published new work trials guidance that clarifies the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers.</p><p>Anyone who is concerned about an unpaid work trial can seek advice from ACAS which offers tailored advice and refers cases to HMRC, which considers every worker complaint received.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 02/04/2019 16:43:54 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1104966

registered interest
date	25/03/2019
answering body	Scotland Office
answering dept id	2
answering dept short name	Scotland
answering dept sort name	Scotland
hansard heading	Children: Poverty
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on reducing child poverty levels in Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	236563
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2019 answer text <p>I have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on a range of issues, including those which span both devolved and reserved matters; the Scottish Government has powers to tackle poverty through the devolution of skills, education, health and employment programmes.</p> answering member constituency Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale answering member printed David Mundell question first answered 02/04/2019 16:39:49 answering member 1512 label Biography information for David Mundell
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1104977

registered interest
date	25/03/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Air Pollution
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to improve air quality outside schools.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	236566
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/04/2019 answer text <p>​Outdoor air quality is a responsibility of local authorities. Where there are concerns about air quality, a local authority must prepare an air quality action plan. The Department has recently published guidance (Building Bulletin 101) on achieving good indoor air quality in new and refurbished schools.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 02/04/2019 16:41:50 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1091211

registered interest
date	19/03/2019
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: Cancer
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps her Department has taken to help ensure the financial security of universal credit claimants with cancer.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	234195
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants. We are committed to ensuring that people who have cancer are treated with the upmost sensitivity and care, when making a claim to Universal Credit. For instance, the UC50 questionnaire incorporates a 'light touch' evidence gathering process for cancer patients, and makes clear that Clinical Nurse Specialists and consultants can provide information on the form, therefore making the claim and assessment process simpler for people with cancer.</p><p>We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people who claim Universal Credit to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs. This includes how they are identified and supported, either from our own staff or via referrals from local services.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 28/03/2019 18:01:13 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney

1090940

registered interest
date	18/03/2019
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: Cancer
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the roll-out of universal credit on claimants of benefits with cancer.
tabling member constituency	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
tabling member printed	Hugh Gaffney
uin	233583
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants. We are committed to ensuring that people who have cancer are treated with the upmost sensitivity and care, when making a claim to Universal Credit. For instance, when a claimant is asked to attend a Work Capability Assessment to determine entitlement to the additional component of Universal Credit specifically for disabled claimants, they must complete a UC50 questionnaire which incorporates a 'light touch' evidence gathering process for cancer patients; and makes clear that Clinical Nurse Specialists and consultants can provide information on the form, therefore making the claim and assessment process simpler for people with cancer.</p><p>We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people who claim Universal Credit to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs. This includes how they are identified and supported, either from our own staff or via referrals from local services.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 25/03/2019 16:53:46 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4614 label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney