Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1419596

registered interest
date	03/02/2022
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: Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Work and Pensions Committee report, entitled Uses of Health and Disability Benefits, published 3 February 2022, what steps her Department is taking to improve information sharing between medical professionals and Job Centre Plus to mitigate the need for claimants to repeat details of their health conditions.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	117809
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>We remain committed to making changes to improve the current assessment processes. We are exploring how we support claimants to provide the correct evidence earlier in the process and to see if current processes can be improved to give the claimant a more positive experience.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is currently considering responses to Shaping Future Support: the Health and Disability Green Paper, which will feed into a White Paper on this subject later this year.</p><p> </p><p>Over the longer term, the Health Transformation Programme is developing the Health Assessment Service (HAS), which aims to provide an improved service, such as more efficient use of the information used to make decisions. This includes exploring data sharing to secure better medical evidence to increase the speed and quality of decision-making.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 08/02/2022 12:35:21 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1419597

registered interest
date	03/02/2022
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: Internet
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report of the Work and Pensions Committee, entitled Uses of Health and Disability Benefits, published on 3 February 2022, what steps her Department is taking to provide social security information and signposting to those who are digitally excluded.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	117810
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>DWP targets communications with citizens who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages in their lives, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The Department uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a>, in leaflets and by telephone.</p><p> </p><p>DWP staff in Jobcentres provide support and advice about entitlement to benefits and will signpost citizens to appropriate information to help them. The Department provides telephone service lines which citizens can call to make their claims to benefit and to operate their claims as well as a visiting service which can help vulnerable customers with their claims.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentres have internet terminals which are available for use by the public, and staff will signpost citizens to other community resources (libraries and Citizens Advice) which can also provide advice and internet access points.</p><p> </p><p>Where an out of work claimant of working age is engaging with a Work Coach to gain suitable employment the Work Coach can consider using the Flexible Support Fund to address the claimant’s barriers to employment. This includes providing devices and connections to get online.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 08/02/2022 12:31:17 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1419598

registered interest
date	03/02/2022
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	Jobcentres: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the NatCen Report, Uses of Health and Disability Benefits, published by the Work and Pensions Committee on 3 February 2022, what steps her Department will take to (a) improve Jobcentre staff understanding of health and disabilities and (b) ensure disabled people are treated with compassion and respect.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	117811
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2022 answer text <p>DWP is committed to providing the best possible support for all claimants, including those with health conditions and disabilities. We are continuously reviewing and improving the service to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to the needs of the customer.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the importance of understanding how a health condition or disability impacts someone’s ability to start, stay and succeed in work. Work Coaches undergo a comprehensive training programme designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge required to provide a high-quality service. Specific training and guidance is provided for working with different vulnerable groups and those with complex needs. Any work-related requirements are agreed in discussion with the claimant and will always be tailored in light of the impact of the claimant’s health condition, disability and circumstances, ensuring they are realistic and achievable and that the claimant is treated with compassion and respect.</p><p> </p><p>Disability Employment Advisers work alongside Work Coaches, providing further upksilling, and specialising in finding the right support to help all customers that have a disability or health condition. Furthermore, our Disability Employment Advisers work with health and disability related organisations in the community to provide advice and guidance to support claimants with disabilities, including those with mental health issues</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 08/02/2022 12:43:51 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1416550

registered interest
date	25/01/2022
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	Unemployed People: Broadband
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in have signed up to the joint broadband voucher scheme for jobseekers delivered by her Department and TalkTalk since its launch in (a) Motherwell and Wishaw constituency and (b) Scotland.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	111632
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2022 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 01/02/2022 17:19:45 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1416551

registered interest
date	25/01/2022
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: Broadband
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the context of the recent launch of the broadband voucher scheme for jobseekers, whether her Department has plans to expand that scheme for recipients of (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment support allowance and (c) other benefits.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	111633
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2022 answer text <p>The cost of being connected online can be a barrier for low income households. DWP has worked with DCMS and Ofcom to influence broadband providers to support extending eligibility for new broadband social tariffs to low income households. As a result some broadband providers have made their new social tariffs available to all UC claimants and other means tested benefits. These social tariffs provide good speed, unlimited data and are available at a reduced price for those eligible. DWP is working with Ofcom to promote awareness of these social tariffs to our stakeholders and Work Coaches throughout our Jobcentre Plus network who can then signpost claimants to them.</p><p> </p><p>Where an out of work claimant of working age is engaging with a Work Coach to gain suitable employment the Work Coach can consider using the Flexible Support Fund to address the claimants barriers to employment. This includes providing devices and connections to get online.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches can provide support to working age out of work claimants who are not online by procuring devices, and connections including 6 months broadband connection in the home for eligible jobseekers through the Flexible Support Fund, where the Work Coach assess that this barrier is stopping the claimant progressing in their labour market journey.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work with DCMS and Ofcom to influence the market to address barriers to digital exclusion.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 111634 question first answered 01/02/2022 17:26:53 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1416552

registered interest
date	25/01/2022
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: Broadband
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the context of the recent launch of the broadband voucher scheme for jobseekers, what additional steps her Department is taking to provide connectivity to other digitally excluded groups that fall within her Department's remit.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	111634
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2022 answer text <p>The cost of being connected online can be a barrier for low income households. DWP has worked with DCMS and Ofcom to influence broadband providers to support extending eligibility for new broadband social tariffs to low income households. As a result some broadband providers have made their new social tariffs available to all UC claimants and other means tested benefits. These social tariffs provide good speed, unlimited data and are available at a reduced price for those eligible. DWP is working with Ofcom to promote awareness of these social tariffs to our stakeholders and Work Coaches throughout our Jobcentre Plus network who can then signpost claimants to them.</p><p> </p><p>Where an out of work claimant of working age is engaging with a Work Coach to gain suitable employment the Work Coach can consider using the Flexible Support Fund to address the claimants barriers to employment. This includes providing devices and connections to get online.</p><p> </p><p>Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches can provide support to working age out of work claimants who are not online by procuring devices, and connections including 6 months broadband connection in the home for eligible jobseekers through the Flexible Support Fund, where the Work Coach assess that this barrier is stopping the claimant progressing in their labour market journey.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work with DCMS and Ofcom to influence the market to address barriers to digital exclusion.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 111633 question first answered 01/02/2022 17:26:53 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1415970

registered interest
date	24/01/2022
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	Carers: Energy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department is putting in place to support carers with the increases in heating and energy costs.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	110442
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/02/2022 answer text <p>We value the key role that unpaid carers play in supporting disabled and elderly people. We support them through access to the full range of social security benefits depending on their circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>This Government is wholly committed to supporting people on lower incomes through a range of measures, including by spending over £110 billion on welfare support for people of working age in 2021/22.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We understand the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, and we will continue to listen to people’s concerns as we have done throughout the pandemic. We’re providing support worth around £12bn this financial year and next to help families with the cost of living, cutting the Universal Credit taper to make sure work pays, freezing fuel duties to keep costs down, and providing targeted support to help households with their energy bills.</p><p>We recognise that some people require extra support over the winter, which is why vulnerable households across the country can access a new £500 million support fund to help them with essentials. The Barnett Formula will apply in the usual way, with the Scottish government receiving £41 million, which they have used to create a Winter Support Fund to help people on low incomes this winter.</p><p> </p><p>Significant social security powers are devolved to the Scottish Government if they wish to use them. These include the power to top up reserved benefits, make discretionary payments or introduce new benefits in areas of devolved responsibility.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 01/02/2022 15:00:15 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1401265

registered interest
date	10/01/2022
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	Jobcentres: Health and Safety
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to protect Job Centre staff's health and wellbeing when (a) conducting face-to-face appointments and (b) ensuring local work from home covid-19 guidance is followed.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	100584
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2022 answer text <p>DWP takes the health, safety and wellbeing of colleagues very seriously and all of our offices are COVID secure. We have a suite of Health &amp; Safety risk assessments in place developed following extensive consultation with departmental trade union representatives that cover all of the measures in place to protect staff and customers. These risk assessments are regularly reviewed, for example following changes to government guidance, including that from the respective governments in the devolved nations.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, DWP offers a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme that offers short and long-term support for any physical or mental health issues that staff face.</p><p> </p><p>DWP also has a network of Mental Health First Aiders on hand across all parts of the DWP to offer immediate emotional support and also to signpost to expert support.</p><p> </p><p>The DWP’s network of Wellbeing Advocates are a community of staff representing all grades, job roles and geographical areas who regularly cascade key Wellbeing messages and support packages to their local teams and sites who also provide an invaluable service in feeding back to the central Wellbeing team on challenges that their colleagues are facing.</p><p /> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 18/01/2022 15:48:29 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1388176

registered interest
date	15/12/2021
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	Flexible Working
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016 inquiry UK 2021 follow-up report published in December 2021, when he plans to being the consultation on default approaches to flexible working; on what date he expects that consultation will finish; and when he expects the next steps and recommendations to be published.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	93785
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2022 answer text <p>The Government started working on its follow-up report to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016 inquiry earlier this year. The flexible working consultation referred to in the report was published on 23 September and ran for 10 weeks until 1 December, receiving over 1,600 responses. The Government is now analysing these responses and will issue its response in due course.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 12/01/2022 15:12:00 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1383762

registered interest
date	01/12/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Development Aid: Basic Skills
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which countries receive the most Official Development Assistance for improving foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	85317
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2021 answer text <p>Foundational literacy and numeracy are essential and effective tools for reducing poverty and inequality, especially when focused on girls. That is why, under the UK's G7 presidency, we secured pioneering endorsement to two new global access and learning objectives, to ensure that all children - particularly girls - secure foundational learning. In 2020, Pakistan, Lebanon, Tanzania, Rwanda and Bangladesh were the five largest recipients of bilateral UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) for basic education. The UK continues to support around 15 more countries bilaterally in foundational learning. We are also the largest donor to the Global Partnership for Education, from which a further 70 countries are eligible to receive support to improve foundational learning. ODA is reported on a calendar year basis and ODA figures for 2021 will be available next year after reporting to the OECD.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 08/12/2021 10:51:14 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows