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1729578

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
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	Pensioners: Income
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many pensioners in the UK have annual incomes below £15,000, and of those how many are in receipt of pension credit.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL1011
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>For financial year 2022/23, we estimate that the number of pensioner units with gross annual income below £15,000 is approximately 1.6 million. Of those, we estimate 0.3 million are in receipt of Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>This estimate is based on Pensioners’ Incomes and Households Below Average Income data derived from the Family Resources Survey and covers private households in the United Kingdom. Income is calculated as total income of the pensioner unit, including benefits such as State Pension and Pension Credit, occupational and personal pensions, investment income and earnings.</p><p> </p><p>A pensioner unit can be a single pensioner over State Pension age, a pensioner couple where one member is over State Pension age, or a pensioner couple where both members are over State Pension age.</p><p> </p><p>We want all eligible pensioners to apply for Pension Credit and so the Department is continuing to maximise opportunities to promote Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Like all means-tested benefits, a person’s eligibility for Pension Credit and the amount they may get depends on their specific financial and personal circumstances. Full eligibility criteria are available on gov.uk at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility" target="_blank">Pension Credit: Eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p>That’s why we encourage anyone who thinks they may be entitled to check whether they can get Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>This Autumn, we will be directly contacting pensioners who are in receipt of Housing Benefit but who may be eligible for, but not currently claiming, Pension Credit – building on last years ‘Invitation to Claim’ trial.</p><p> </p><p>From 16th September we have launched a Pension Credit awareness campaign across press, radio and social media and I know that the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland, along with local authorities and organisations such as Age UK, are also undertaking promotional activities.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sherlock question first answered 26/09/2024 15:07:00 answering member 4147 label Biography information for Baroness Sherlock
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1729579

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 7 August (HL344), how many staff in the Ministry of Defence are permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours; what is the percentage of overall working time they are permitted to spend on such network activity; how many hours are allocated in total; which networks are being funded; and whether they have any plans alter such funding.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL1012
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>Information is not held concerning the number of staff, both civilian and military, who are permitted to undertake diversity related network time, nor the percentage of overall working time or total hours they are permitted to spend on such network activity.</p><p> </p><p>We align with Government guidance in supporting Civil Service staff in engaging in Network duties. The Armed Forces who form the vast majority of the workforce do not receive any facilitated time and carry out Network duties in their own time, as do many of our Civil Servants.</p><p> </p><p>All staff networks working in support of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&amp;I) outcomes are eligible to apply for funding in accordance with Government Guidance on ED&amp;I expenditure dated 14 May 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Until the Government Guidance on ED&amp;I expenditure dated is superseded, this policy will be applied to all applications for network funding.</p> answering member printed Lord Coaker question first answered 26/09/2024 15:29:43 answering member 360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1729580

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Department for Transport: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 7 August (HL344), how many staff in (1) the Department for Transport and (2) the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency are permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours; what is the percentage of overall working time they are permitted to spend on such network activity; how many hours are allocated in total; which networks are being funded; and whether they have any plans alter such funding.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL1013
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>Time allocation</p><p>The Department for Transport Core (DfTc) and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) do not allocate a specified amount of time for staff to spend on diversity-related network activities. Civil Service guidance for diversity-related networks requires that time being spent on EDI activities by volunteers, where it is not part of an individual’s core role, is appropriate, reasonable and proportionate.</p><p> </p><p>Funding</p><p> </p><p>At present none of the networks within Department for Transport Core (DfTc) and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) are funded. We are currently reviewing our staff networks and any future funding will align with the guidance on EDI Expenditure published on 14th May 2024.</p> answering member printed Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill question first answered 26/09/2024 15:31:25 answering member 4972 label Biography information for Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1729628

registered interest
date	12/09/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and UK Research and Innovation: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 7 August (HL344), how many staff in (1) the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and (2) UK Research and Innovation are permitted to undertake diversity-related network time during core working hours; what is the percentage of overall working time they are permitted to spend on such network activity; how many hours are allocated in total; which networks are being funded; and whether they have any plans alter such funding.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL1014
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/09/2024 answer text <p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has 19 colleague-run networks, 11 of which are diversity-related. Time taken on network activities is agreed between individuals and line managers- no formal facility time is allocated. No network holds a delegated budget, and there are currently no plans to revise this approach.</p><p>UKRI has 12 network co-chairs across 8 formally supported staff networks. Co-chairs are allocated 1 day per month to carry out network related activities which includes work on organisation-led EDI priorities and reporting on network activities to governance. All 8 networks receive funding for their activities (in financial year 2023/24 this was less than £5,000). There are no plans to alter these funding arrangements.</p> answering member printed Lord Vallance of Balham question first answered 26/09/2024 11:02:01 answering member 5363 label Biography information for Lord Vallance of Balham
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1726467

registered interest
date	02/09/2024
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	Winter Fuel Payment: Pension Credit
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of removing Winter Fuel Payments, without further warning, on (1) pensioners whose incomes are a small amount above the Pension Credit threshold, and (2) those who are entitled to Pension Credit but do not claim it.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL556
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2024 answer text <p>The Department continues to maximise opportunities to promote Pension Credit and to raise awareness of its wider benefits and to encourage pensioners to apply. The department uses a range of creative media including TV, press, radio and social media to boost awareness of the benefit. We engage with stakeholders, including other Government Departments, Councils, and charities, to harness their help and support to raise awareness through their networks and channels.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is ensuring pensioners are supported through our commitment to protect the Triple Lock, over 12 million pensioners will benefit, with many expected to see their new State Pension increase by around £1700 over the course of this Parliament.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, the Government will invest an extra £6.6 billion over this Parliament in clean heat and energy efficiency through the Warm Homes Plan, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon heating and improved insulation to reduce emissions and cut bills.</p><p>The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.   An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.</p><p>The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sherlock question first answered 18/09/2024 12:51:49 answering member 4147 label Biography information for Baroness Sherlock
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1726468

registered interest
date	02/09/2024
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	Hamas: UNRWA
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take, in light of their decision to renew funding of UNWRA, to ensure that its schools and facilities are not used to conceal Hamas infrastructure or launch attacks on Israel.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL557
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2024 answer text <p>Following the independent review by Catherine Colonna the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) set out an action plan with detailed management reforms including stronger independent oversight, better detection systems, improved screening procedures, mandatory training for staff on humanitarian principles and more proactive donor engagement. As a result, we are assured that UNRWA is taking action to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality.</p><p>£1 million of the UK's £21 million support to UNRWA this financial year will support implementation of these reforms. The FCDO will also continue to conduct its own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA.</p> answering member printed Lord Collins of Highbury question first answered 16/09/2024 11:56:40 answering member 4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1723342

registered interest
date	24/07/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Fractures: Health Services
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they remain committed to ensuring universal coverage of the eligible population for Fracture Liaison Services by 2030.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL287
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to expanding access to Fracture Liaison Services. The Department is working closely with NHS England to develop rollout plans to ensure better quality and access to these important preventative services, to fill the current gaps in coverage.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 02/08/2024 13:57:43 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1723343

registered interest
date	24/07/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Fractures: Health Services
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will maintain existing transformation fund commitments to support the rollout of Fracture Liaison Services.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL288
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2024 answer text <p>More than 500,000 fragility fractures occur every year, and up to 40% of fracture patients will suffer another fracture.</p><p>This Government and NHS England support the clinical case for services which help to prevent fragility fractures and support the patients who sustain them. That is why this Government is committed to the expansion of Fracture Liaison Services and is working closely with NHS England to develop rollout plans to end the postcode lottery.</p> answering member printed Baroness Merron question first answered 06/08/2024 13:34:36 answering member 347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1723344

registered interest
date	24/07/2024
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	UNRWA: Finance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what safeguards they have in place to ensure that restoration of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees will not result in UK funding being used to directly or indirectly benefit Hamas.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL289
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/08/2024 answer text <p>When the Foreign Secretary announced the resumption of funding on 19 July 2024, he said that UNRWA has taken serious action in response to the appalling allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel. The government is confident that UNRWA is taking action to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality and is strengthening its procedures. £1 million of the £21 million of new UK funding will be earmarked to support UNRWA implement the management reforms recommended by the Colonna review. Together with other donors, we will continue to monitor UNRWA's progress on implementation of its action plan. The FCDO will also continue to conduct our own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA.</p> answering member printed Lord Collins of Highbury question first answered 08/08/2024 10:22:35 answering member 4222 label Biography information for Lord Collins of Highbury
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1723345

registered interest
date	24/07/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Workplace Pensions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that low earners in Net Pay pension schemes do not suffer lower take home pay as a result of their employer’s scheme choice.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL290
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>Legislation introduced in 2023 requires HMRC to make a top-up payment to those individuals contributing to a pension scheme using a net pay arrangement, whose total taxable income is below their personal allowance.</p><p> </p><p>This means that low earning pension savers should receive similar outcomes regardless of whether they are members of a relief at source pension scheme or a net pay pension scheme.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC are developing the IT solution to make these payments, in line with legislation, as soon as practicable in the tax year after the pension contributions were made. The first payments will be made in tax-year 2025-26 in respect of contributions made during 2024-25.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Livermore question first answered 01/08/2024 14:08:12 answering member 4559 label Biography information for Lord Livermore
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann