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967480

registered interest
date	04/09/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and (2) refugees of all ages, with close family members in the UK have so far been identified by UK immigration liaison officers sent to France, Italy and Greece; and how many have reached the UK as a result.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9973
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/09/2018 answer text <p>The role of the UK liaison officers is to facilitate good working co-operation between EU Member States, including Italy, France and Greece, on asylum and immigration matters with the UK. Liaison officers are not involved in identifying children under Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016, as it is a matter for our partner states to refer children who meet the criteria and where it is in their best interests to transfer to the UK. Liaison officers are not involved in the identification of applicants with qualifying family members either as this is also a matter for the competent national authorities of Dublin states.</p><p>On 30 November, the Government published data on the numbers of children transferred to the UK from the Calais camp clearance under both the Dublin III Regulation and section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016. The data can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transfers-of-children-to-the-uk-from-the-calais-operation-november-2017</p><p>On 22 February 2018, the Home Office published data on the number of transfers into the UK from other Dublin states. The relevant statistics can be found at as_22_q, asylum volume 5 at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2017-data-tables. 2018 Dublin data will be published in February 2019.</p><p>We remain fully committed to delivering our commitment to transfer the specified number of 480 children under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 and are working very closely with participating States, to deliver the scheme in line with their national laws. Over 220 children are already in the UK and transfers are ongoing. We will not provide a running commentary on numbers and will publish the details once all children are in the UK.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford attachment 1 file name as_22-q - Asylum Vol 5.xlsx title Table - as_22-q Asylum Vol 5 2 file name Table - Transfers of Children to UK from the Calais Op Nov 2017.xlsx title Table - Transfers of Children to the UK-Calais op[ question first answered 13/09/2018 13:39:17 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943367

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the report by End Hunger UK, Fix Universal Credit, published in July; and what steps they are taking to respond to the criticisms of Universal Credit made in that report.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9585
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The Department follows a test and learn approach to Universal Credit, with a number of changes being delivered following feedback from stakeholders and other interested parties during the last few months. These include:</p><ul><li>From 29 November 2017, introducing Freephone numbers for Universal Credit phone lines.</li><li>From 3 January 2018, extending the repayment period of Universal Credit advances to 12 months, with claimants now able to apply for up to 100 per cent of their estimated monthly entitlement upfront (and from July 2018 claimants can apply for an advance online). These can be paid on the same day where there is urgent need.</li><li>From 14 February 2018, removing the seven day waiting period that some claimants faced at the start of their claim.</li><li>From 11 April, providing an additional payment for claimants already receiving support towards their housing costs of two weeks of their Housing Benefit to support them as they transfer onto Universal Credit. Claimants will not be required to repay this money.</li></ul><p>We engage at a personal and individual level with all of our claimants and are committed to tailoring the support we give, and any conditionality requirements, to the specific circumstances of the individual. Our work coaches undergo a comprehensive training and accreditation programme. Telephony or face to face services are also in place for those vulnerable claimants who cannot self-serve online.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Support is available to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit and we are investing £200 million into budgeting and digital support to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>In 2016, the Department trialled a new process for JSA sanctions in response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s recommendations to review the JSA sanction process. The trial involved 6,500 claimants, with the findings (Jobseeker’s Allowance Sanctions Early Warning Trial Evaluation – Final report) published on 21 May 2018. Given the low proportion of cases in which claimants provided further evidence and the even lower proportion of cases where decision outcomes were changed, the Department has decided not to implement this trial process more widely, and will instead consider alternative processes.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our test and learn approach we will continue to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure Universal Credit continues to be introduced in a measured and careful way. Universal Credit ensures claimants are better off when they move into work, by smoothing the transition into work and replacing the benefits cliff edge of the past.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:10:01 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943368

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they will provide to those who are unable to use online forms and communications in relation to Universal Credit.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9586
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The Department is committed to providing personalised support for all claimants, including vulnerable groups. Each individual’s circumstances are different and therefore their barriers to work and the support needed must be tailored to these needs.</p><p> </p><p>Face to face and telephony support is in place for those vulnerable claimants who cannot self-serve online; the Universal Credit telephone helpline is now a free phone number.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Support provides Universal Credit claimants with additional help to use a computer to make or maintain their claim (Assisted Digital Support), help in managing their monthly Universal Credit payment and possible advice on their finances (Personal Budgeting Support).</p><p> </p><p>In certain circumstances, where a claimant is unable to manage their own affairs, an appointee can act on their behalf, taking responsibility for making and maintaining any benefit claim. An appointee can be an individual, e.g. a friend or relative, an organisation or representative of an organisation, e.g. a solicitor or local council. The process for enlisting a DWP appointee includes a visit to the claimant and an interview with the potential appointee.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:08:52 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943369

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
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: Disqualification
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) people, and (2) dependants are currently subject to Universal Credit sanctions; and what plans they have for reducing that number.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9587
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/07/2018 answer text <p>The number of people on Universal Credit with a sanction deduction in February 2018 was 31,720 against a total number of 774,600 people on Universal Credit at that time.</p><p> </p><p>Under Universal Credit dependants in a household cannot be sanctioned.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>As a sanction is only applied when a claimant fails to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason, the Department does not have expectations on the numbers of sanctions that will be applied.</p><p> </p><p>However, we take a number of steps to ensure claimants are supported to meet their conditionality requirements. Work coaches tailor claimants’ conditionality requirements, and the support they require to meet them, to their individual circumstances and capabilities. They work with claimants to agree their conditionality requirements, explaining what could happen should they fail to meet them. Claimants are given every opportunity to explain why they failed to meet their agreed conditionality requirements before a sanction decision is made. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take all the claimant’s individual circumstances and any evidence of good reason provided, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.</p><p> </p><p>We review processes and learning materials continuously and have a strong quality assurance framework in place.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 31/07/2018 12:10:37 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943371

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Syria: Internally Displaced People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have about people displaced in Deraa Province, Syria who are refused access into Jordan; what assessment they have made of the number of such people; and what steps they are taking to help meet their needs for shelter and subsistence.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9588
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2018 answer text <p>The offensive by the Assad regime and its backers on the southwest of Syria has had a devastating impact on civilians. Over 250,000 people have reportedly been displaced so far, some of them multiple times. Of these, an estimated 160,000 civilians have now returned home.</p><p>DFID-funded partners, including the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, are providing the most vulnerable people in the southwest, including those in Deraa province, with water, basic shelter materials, hygiene items and cash grants, where and when access allows.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 26/07/2018 15:06:32 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

943372

registered interest
date	17/07/2018
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Detainees
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the United States and the Syrian Defence Forces about whether prisoners held by the Syrian Defence Forces in eastern Syria will be moved to Guantanamo Bay.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9589
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2018 answer text <p>The UK's long-standing position remains that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should close. We continue to engage with the US Government on this issue, as we do on a range of national security issues.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 25/07/2018 11:47:00 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

940069

registered interest
date	12/07/2018
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Construction
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to reverse the decline in new apprenticeships for the construction industry, in particular in small and medium-sized firms; and what steps they are taking to ensure that the Building Crafts College and other smaller providers of training are able to contribute as fully as possible in the training of apprenticeships.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9484
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2018 answer text <p>The Institute for Apprenticeships is working with a range of sectors, including construction, to design and deliver new high quality apprenticeship standards that will meet the skills needs of industry. There are currently 52 construction standards approved for delivery, with 43 further standards in development. We have seen a 338% growth in apprenticeship starts at higher levels (Level 4 and above) in construction and planning this year, compared to the same period last year. To support smaller employers who do not pay the levy take on apprentices, the government provides at least 90% of training and assessment costs.</p><p>We recently released additional funds for providers who were successful in our procurement drive to fund apprenticeships amongst smaller employers, taking the total amount of investment to nearly £560 million. We recognise, however, that a number of smaller, niche providers were unsuccessful in the procurement. We have recently introduced the ability for levy paying employers to transfer up to 10% of their levy funds to other employers, including small and medium-sized enterprises in their supply chains, and we continue to make subcontracting an option; such initiatives have helped providers who were unable to continue in delivering high quality apprenticeship training.</p><p>We are encouraging employers to take advantage of these changes to enable them to grow their apprenticeship programmes and invest in the long-term skills required of their business. We meet regularly with business groups and individual employers to understand the impact of the reforms and use their feedback to inform any further changes.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 25/07/2018 13:54:32 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

938811

registered interest
date	11/07/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Interviews
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what safeguards they plan to put in place to ensure that any poor interpreting and poor interview practices do not adversely affect individual asylum claims.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9427
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2018 answer text <p>All asylum interviews are carried out by an impartial interviewing officer.</p><p>All interpreters engaged by the Home Office must demonstrate they have the required skills and qualifications. They are also bound by a “Code of Conduct” to ensure minimum standards for interpreting and behaviour. Home Office policy and guidance ensures that in the event of interpreters or interviews falling short of those standards, it would not adversely affect an individual’s asylum claim.</p><p>Interviewing Officers are encouraged to provide feedback on the performance of interpreters, using specifically designed monitoring forms. Interviews may also be monitored for training and security purposes. Increased use of technologies, such as interviewing by video conferencing facilities, are being trialled to increase efficiency and transform the asylum process. Currently the majority of interviews are conducted face to face.</p><p>We have recently introduced digital interviewing capability across the asylum casework operational as part of the wider Home Office digital transformation programme, which aims for the department to become ‘digital by default’. We are aiming to digitally record all asylum interviews and provide claimants and their legal representative with a digital recording of their interview in addition to a written transcript. Claimants who do not want their interview to be audio recorded and provide reasonable explanation for this will be exempt from the recording requirement.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/07/2018 12:49:25 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

938812

registered interest
date	11/07/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Interviews
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to audio-record all substantive asylum interviews.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9428
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2018 answer text <p>All asylum interviews are carried out by an impartial interviewing officer. All interpreters engaged by the Home Office must demonstrate they have the required skills and qualifications. They are also bound by a “Code of Conduct” to ensure minimum standards for interpreting and behaviour.</p><p>Home Office policy and guidance ensures that in the event of interpreters or interviews falling short of those standards, it would not adversely affect an individual’s asylum claim. Interviewing Officers are encouraged to provide feedback on the performance of interpreters, using specifically designed monitoring forms. Interviews may also be monitored for training and security purposes.</p><p>Increased use of technologies, such as interviewing by video conferencing facilities, are being trialled to increase efficiency and transform the asylum process. Currently the majority of interviews are conducted face to face.</p><p>We have recently introduced digital interviewing capability across the asylum casework operational as part of the wider Home Office digital transformation programme, which aims for the department to become ‘digital by default’. We are aiming to digitally record all asylum interviews and provide claimants and their legal representative with a digital recording of their interview in addition to a written transcript. Claimants who do not want their interview to be audio recorded and provide reasonable explanation for this will be exempt from the recording requirement.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 23/07/2018 12:50:01 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

938813

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
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the demand on the services of food banks, whether they plan to introduce any modifications and improvements to the administration of Universal Credit; and in particular whether they will reduce (1) the waiting time for first payments, and (2) the level of advance loan repayments.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9429
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2018 answer text <p>We continuously modify and improve Universal Credit in response to feedback, and have also implemented a number of further improvements.</p><p>This package of measures, which are set out below, not only addresses concerns raised around the first assessment period and the budgeting issues faced by some claimants at the start of their claim, but also supports the vast majority of claimants transitioning onto Universal Credit. They include:</p><ul><li>from 29 November 2017, all DWP Universal Credit phone lines are free and claimants will not be charged when they need to get help with their Universal Credit claim.</li></ul><ul><li>from 3 January, the repayment period of Universal Credit advances has been increased to 12 months and claimants can now get up to 100 per cent of their estimated monthly entitlement upfront. These advances are available to claimants interest-free. Earlier this month (July 2018), advances also became available to apply for online.</li></ul><ul><li>from 14 February, the seven-day waiting period that some claimants had at the start of their Universal Credit claim was removed; and,</li></ul><ul><li>from 11 April, we have provided an additional payment for claimants already receiving support towards their housing costs of two weeks of their Housing Benefit to support them as they transfer onto Universal Credit. Claimants will not be required to repay this money.</li></ul> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 24/07/2018 16:37:41 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton