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1129515
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-04more like thismore than 2019-06-04
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Occupational Money Purchase Schemes more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to legislate to introduce collective defined contribution schemes by the end of 2019. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Hain more like this
star this property uin HL16000 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-18more like thismore than 2019-06-18
star this property answer text <p>This Government has recently published a response to a Collective Defined Contribution schemes consultation setting out its plans, and has engaged extensively with key stakeholders.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-18T15:52:00.407Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-18T15:52:00.407Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
567
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Hain more like this
1129551
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-04more like thismore than 2019-06-04
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Arcadia Group: Pensions more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Ministers or officials have (1) written to, (2) had any meetings with, or (3) communicated in other forms with, Sir Philip Green, Lady Christina Green or the Pensions Regulator in connection with the Arcadia Group Pension Scheme. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Myners more like this
star this property uin HL16036 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-18more like thismore than 2019-06-18
star this property answer text <p>Neither Ministers nor officials have written to, had meetings with, or communicated in other forms with Sir Philip Green or Lady Christina Green.</p><p> </p><p>Ministers and officials have quarterly meetings with the Pensions Regulator, but not specifically concerning Sir Philip Green or the Arcadia Group. This is because the Pensions Regulator is an independent body, and as such the Government cannot intervene or influence its actions. The Regulator also keeps DWP officials informed about its work in monitoring pension schemes.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-18T15:51:18.26Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-18T15:51:18.26Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
3869
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Myners more like this
1130233
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-05more like thismore than 2019-06-05
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Occupational Money Purchase Schemes more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Buscombe on 5 June (HL15876), whether they intend to legislate to introduce collective defined contribution schemes by the end of 2019. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Hain more like this
star this property uin HL16094 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-19more like thismore than 2019-06-19
star this property answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to my previous responses. The Government will bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-19T15:47:35.527Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-19T15:47:35.527Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
567
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Hain more like this
1130234
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-05more like thismore than 2019-06-05
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Poverty more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last discussed (1) low and insecure incomes, (2) issues emerging from the rollout of Universal Credit, and (3) increased demand for food banks, with representatives of the relevant voluntary agencies; and what was the outcome of those discussions. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Hylton more like this
star this property uin HL16095 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-19more like thismore than 2019-06-19
star this property answer text <p>Ministers and officials have regular meetings with key stakeholders to discuss a diverse range of issues that fall within the Department’s remit and impact on the lives of claimants. Many of these contacts occur at a local level between Jobcentres and external stakeholders which serve or represent their local communities, and such contacts are not recorded centrally, and to provide this information would incur disproportionate cost to the Department.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit is designed to react and respond quickly to feedback from our stakeholders and claimants to improve the service we offer; ensuring welfare payments reach those who need them most, and effectively supporting those with insecure or fluctuating incomes. At a national level we meet regularly with stakeholders, partners and third party organisations to discuss Universal Credit and invite views and collaboration, for example, on the design of the processes for moving people onto Universal Credit. This includes identifying and tackling barriers and concerns.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, the Government is committed to building an economy that works for everyone. Through the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW) the Government protects the lowest paid within our society.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-19T11:32:43.13Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-19T11:32:43.13Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
2018
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Hylton more like this
1130235
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-05more like thismore than 2019-06-05
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit: Repayments more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for modifiying the repayment of Universal Credit advance payments in order to take into account individual circumstances such as debts related to (1) utilities, (2) Council Tax, and (3) previous loans. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Hylton more like this
star this property uin HL16096 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-19more like thismore than 2019-06-19
star this property answer text <p>The Department recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. Universal Credit already has procedures and regulations in place to protect claimants from excessive deductions. The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance, and from October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent.</p><p> </p><p>The average advance amount for new claims is around £400, which can be repaid over a period of 12 months, at a rate of £33.33 per month. Therefore, in the majority of cases, advance payment recovery is small in comparison to the whole Universal Credit award, with a current average award of £658 per month.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that exceptional circumstances may occur to claimants that were not foreseen when the advance was taken out. Help is available for those struggling to meet the recovery rate once recovery begins and if the claimant is facing unexpected financial hardship they can ask the Department for a deferral of the repayment of any advance they have taken out. The deferral periods are up to 3 months for a new claim, benefit transfer or change of circumstances advance and up to 6 months for a Budgeting advance.</p><p> </p><p>Where a claimant has a reduction in benefit due to a Fraud Penalty or Conditionally Sanction that equals or exceeds 40% of their Universal Credit standard allowance then no advance repayment will be taken. If there is insufficient Universal Credit in payment due to reductions such as earnings, other income and capital yield to take the full amount of advances repayment, a lesser amount will be taken.</p>
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-19T11:35:17.333Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-19T11:35:17.333Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
2018
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Hylton more like this
1130254
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-05more like thismore than 2019-06-05
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Arcadia Group: Pensions more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review (1) decisions taken by the trustees of the Arcadia Group Pension Scheme which may have contributed to an aggregate deficit of liabilities over assets of some £700 million, (2) the oversight of the Arcadia Scheme by the Pensions Regulator, and (3) the Pensions Regulator's use of its powers in relation to the Arcadia Scheme. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Myners more like this
star this property uin HL16115 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-19more like thismore than 2019-06-19
star this property answer text <p>The Government cannot intervene with the decisions taken by trustees of pension schemes.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator is an independent body, and as such the Government cannot comment on any cases dealt with by the Regulator. Due to this, the Government does not have plans to review the oversight exercised over the Arcadia scheme, or the use of powers in relation to the scheme.</p> more like this
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-19T15:46:29.593Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-19T15:46:29.593Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
3869
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Myners more like this
1130843
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Arcadia Group: Pensions more like this
star this property house id 2 more like this
star this property legislature
25277
star this property pref label House of Lords more like this
unstar this property question text To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Pensions Regulator has allowed the owners of Arcadia Group to phase their contribution to address that company’s pension deficit over a period of time instead of a single up-front payment; whether the Pensions Regulator is using financial advisers to determine whether Arcadia’s business plan will eventually cover the deficit; and if so, who are those advisers. more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Lord Myners more like this
star this property uin HL16210 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2019-06-24
star this property answer text <p>The pensions framework established by Parliament in the Pensions Act 2004 sets out that ongoing employers may address the funding of their scheme deficits over a reasonable period of time. This responsibility falls on the company rather than its owners, other than where The Pensions Regulator has used its anti-avoidance powers. This approach of spreading funding of deficits was established to balance the needs of schemes with those of their sponsoring employers.</p><p> </p><p>The Arcadia trustees and the Arcadia group took an approach which was similar to many other schemes and employers in establishing recovery plans to address their schemes’ deficits over a number of years. In response to a request to vary those recovery plan payments, made in conjunction with the Arcadia Group’s Company Voluntary Arrangements proposals, The Pensions Regulator, working alongside the trustees and the Pension Protection Fund, has negotiated robustly to secure an enhanced package of support for the pension schemes in connection with a successful Company Voluntary Arrangement, worth significantly more than would be received if the Company Voluntary Arrangement is not successful and Arcadia Group Ltd becomes insolvent. This represents appropriate protection, in challenging circumstances, and is equitable in the context of the wider Company Voluntary Arrangements process.</p><p> </p><p>In assessing the turnaround plan presented by Arcadia, The Pensions Regulator has been informed by the analysis carried out by professional advisers to the trustees. The Pensions Regulator has considerable expertise in restructuring situations and this includes people in its regulatory teams with a background working in big chartered accountancy firms and restructuring operations in banks.</p>
star this property answering member printed Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-24T11:44:23.837Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-24T11:44:23.837Z
star this property answering member
3349
star this property label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe more like this
star this property tabling member
3869
unstar this property label Biography information for Lord Myners more like this
1130974
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Retirement: Health more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of people over the age of 60 that have had to retire as a result of ill-health. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Strangford more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Jim Shannon more like this
star this property uin 262373 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-18more like thismore than 2019-06-18
star this property answer text <p>The Department set out its strategy to see one million more disabled people in work by 2027 in the 2017 Command Paper “Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability”. A key element of this is action to help keep people (including older workers) with health conditions in work. We are already investing in testing new interventions to support people, including our Health-Led Trials, and the Government is working to ensure employers and key stakeholders across all sectors adopt and implement the core and enhanced mental health standards set out in <em>Thriving at Work: The Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health</em>.</p><p>To support older people falling out of labour market due to health conditions, the Government has extended the right to request flexible working for all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer. Access to flexible working practices, such as flexi-time, compressed hours and remote working, is key to helping older workers stay in the labour market.</p><p> </p><p>We are also exploring further ways to reduce the number of people who leave work each year for health reasons and will consult on measures to encourage and support all employers to play their part. This consultation will also propose ways to improve access to occupational health.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Background</strong></p><p> </p><p>In February 2017 Government published an employer-led Strategy <em>Fuller Working Lives: a partnership approach</em>, which sets out the importance of Fuller Working Lives for employers and individuals. It also sets out action Government is taking to support older workers to remain in the labour market.</p><p> </p><p><em>Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability</em> published in November 2017 set out an ambitious and comprehensive programme of action to support disabled people and people with long term physical and mental health conditions to get into and stay in work and progress in rewarding careers. This action spans the workplace, health and welfare settings.</p><p> </p><p>Since the launch of the publication, progress has been made in a number of areas including:</p><ul><li>Health Led Trials, the worlds largest trial of Individual Placement and Support, testing whether the internationally proven model to support people with severe mental health conditions to find sustained work can be as effective to those with different conditions.</li><li>More than doubled the number of Employment Advisors in IAPT services, ensuring that more people with mental health problems receive employment support to them get into or remain in work.</li><li>Undertaken a substantial package of activity within the health system itself, both to support healthcare professionals to have effective, appropriate, work conversations with their patients, and are exploring ways to reform the fit note.</li></ul>
star this property answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
star this property answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-18T16:10:19.66Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-18T16:10:19.66Z
star this property answering member
4105
star this property label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4131
unstar this property label Biography information for Jim Shannon more like this
1130982
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit: Scotland more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the effect of universal credit on the level of rent arrears owed to Scottish local authorities; and if she will make a statement. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Hugh Gaffney more like this
star this property uin 262433 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-18more like thismore than 2019-06-18
star this property answer text <p>The Department has not made an assessment of this nature.</p><p> </p><p>Caution should be exercised when considering any assessment of arrears derived from local authority level data which seeks to compare the legacy and Universal Credit welfare systems. This is because they do not compare groups with the same characteristics; typically, the legacy benefit group have been on benefits for some time, where the arrears may be under long-term management. The Universal Credit group, on the other hand, are often new to benefits, and are likely to have experienced a change in their circumstances – for example, a debt-creating event like losing a job or separation. Any arrears for this group will not have been under management and had time to clear.</p><p> </p><p>The initial analytical work we have carried out with a housing provider suggests that many tenants are arriving on Universal Credit with pre-existing rent arrears, that their arrears tend to increase prior to making a claim for Universal Credit, and that Universal Credit actually appears to be helping to clear arrears over time. We are currently extending this analysis to include a number of other housing providers. It will be published when completed. Furthermore, according to latest figures in November 2018 about 8 per cent of social rented households were on Universal Credit; therefore, it is difficult to see how a national trend can be attributed to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>We have, however, responded to concerns in this area by putting a number of safeguards in place, such as 100% advances repayable over 12 months, increasing to 16 months in October 2021; a two-week Transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment; a new Help to Claim service to assist people to make their claim more easily; and Managed Payment to Landlord Arrangements, which allow for payments direct to the landlord if the tenant is likely to have difficulty in managing their rent payments, is unlikely to pay their rent or is in rent arrears equivalent to two months.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, in Scotland, the Department delivers Universal Credit Scottish choices on behalf of the Scottish Government, providing the option of Universal Credit being paid twice a month rather than monthly, and having Universal Credit housing element being paid directly to landlords.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-18T15:28:46.223Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-18T15:28:46.223Z
star this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property tabling member
4614
unstar this property label Biography information for Hugh Gaffney more like this
1131049
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-06-10more like thismore than 2019-06-10
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Department for Work and Pensions: Complaints more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
unstar this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints submitted to his Department by (a) hon. Members and (b) people in each parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Ellesmere Port and Neston more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Justin Madders more like this
star this property uin 262405 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
unstar this property date of answer less than 2019-06-21more like thismore than 2019-06-21
star this property answer text <p>The information requested is not available in the format requested and doing so could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has a two tier complaints process which considers formal complaints about our service and can be found on Gov.uk</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not collect data about the parliamentary constituency for complaints received from members of the public. Numbers of complaints can be found at</p><p>(<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/complaints-about-the-department-for-work-and-pensions" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/complaints-about-the-department-for-work-and-pensions</a>)</p><p> </p><p>The number of complaints about DWP benefits from April 2018 to March 2019, where the Department’s management information indicated that there was an honourable Member interest, are as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Tier 1 (Resolution)</p></td><td><p>6,310</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Tier 2 (Review)</p></td><td><p>51</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>These figures include complaints escalated across 2018/2019.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-06-21T13:43:18.72Zmore like thismore than 2019-06-21T13:43:18.72Z
star this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property tabling member
4418
unstar this property label Biography information for Justin Madders more like this