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1134870

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2019 to Question 267343 on Universal Credit, if her Department will (a) investigate the practice of loansharks applying on behalf of an individual for a universal credit advance payment which is then issued as a loan to the individual and (b) review the application process for universal credit advance payments to tackle such practices.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	269775
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2019 answer text <p>The Department is committed to reducing fraud and error and considers information from a range of sources to progress our investigations. We work hard to identify perpetrators of fraud and ensure we take appropriate prosecution action.</p><p> </p><p>We routinely gather intelligence to assist our understanding of anyone seeking to abuse the safety net that Universal Credit offers. Any exploitation of advance payments is not acceptable, and we are seeking to identify the perpetrators and ensure we take appropriate prosecution action. We have a dedicated team of investigators working on this issue and we regularly raise awareness with our front line staff who understand the risks and raise concerns as appropriate through referrals to Fraud colleagues.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to keeping all Universal Credit services and processes, including advance payments, under review and will make improvements to address any vulnerabilities in the system. The protection of our most vulnerable claimants remains of paramount importance to us.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 03/07/2019 15:23:34 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma previous answer version 126277 answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1136718

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2019 to Question 269775, whether the practice of loansharks applying on behalf of an individual for a universal credit advance payment which is then issued as a loan to the individual is being investigated by her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	272943
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>Any exploitation of advance payments is not acceptable, and takes advantage of a process designed to support claimants during their first assessment period. We are seeking to identify the perpetrators and will take appropriate prosecution action.</p><p>The Department is committed to reducing fraud and works hard to identify perpetrators of fraud. We have a dedicated team of investigators working on this issue and we regularly raise awareness with our front line staff who understand the risks and raise concerns as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 08/07/2019 16:58:38 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1148992

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number and proportion of universal credit applicants who struggle to regularly access the internet.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	353
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2019 answer text <p>Our Universal Credit Claimant Survey, found that 98 per cent of claimants have internet access and did claim online, and the majority of those said they found the claim process overall to be straightforward. This can be accessed at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-full-service-claimant-survey" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-full-service-claimant-survey</a></p><p> </p><p>The Department is committed to making the application process for Universal Credit as quick and easy as possible to ensure that claimants receive their award at the earliest opportunity.</p><p> </p><p>Citizen’s Advice and Citizen’s Advice Scotland have been delivering the ‘Help to Claim’ service since April 2019, supporting claimants with making a new claim to Universal Credit. The Citizens Advice Help to Claim service offers tailored, practical support to help people make a Universal Credit claim up to receiving their first full correct payment on time, and is available online, on the phone and face-to-face through local Citizen’s Advice services.</p><p> </p><p>All Jobcentre Plus offices across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available for claimants to access the internet. For those that are still unable to access or use digital services, or are not able to travel, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helpline. In certain circumstances, a home visit can be arranged to support a claimant in making and maintaining their claim</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 17/10/2019 14:10:54 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1149003

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people access their state pension online.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	362
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2019 answer text <p>On-line take up figures are published on the <a href="http://Gov.uk" target="_blank">Gov.uk</a> internet site.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Pre-Retirement (Check your State Pension) on-line take up is 95.1% (September 2019)</li><li>The Get your State Pension on-line take up is 57.6% (August 2019)</li></ul><p> </p><p>The links to the <a href="http://Gov.uk" target="_blank">Gov.uk</a> pages are updated regularly:</p><p> </p><p>Check your State Pension</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/performance/state-pension-statement" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/performance/state-pension-statement</a></p><p> </p><p>Get your State Pension</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/performance/state-pension-new-claims" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/performance/state-pension-new-claims</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 17/10/2019 11:43:51 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1136053

	registered interest
	date	01/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railway Stations: Golborne
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Transport for the North on the feasibility of reopening (a) Golborne North and (b) Goldborne South railway stations.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	271632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2019 answer text <p>As part of its GM 2040 Transport Strategy Delivery Plan, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is undertaking further study of the feasibility of opening a number of new stations in the Greater Manchester area. Work to date by TfGM has shortlisted those stations worth proceeding with, and Golborne has been identified as being one of three potential new station sites that could benefit the Hon. Member’s constituents.</p><p> </p><p>The potential site being considered in Golborne is close to the site of the former Golborne South station on the West Coast Main Line, north of Golborne Junction. TfGM will be engaging with relevant stakeholders as this work progresses, including the Rail North Partnership (Department for Transport and Transport for the North) which manages rail franchises that could potentially call at a new station in this area.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Harrogate and Knaresborough answering member printed Andrew Jones question first answered 04/07/2019 09:29:02 answering member 3996 label Biography information for Andrew Jones
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1144404

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Rail Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government Rail Review, how much his Department (a) has paid Keith Williams and (b) plans to pay Keith Williams in total.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	286368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>Keith Williams is not paid for his work on the Rail Review.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 09/09/2019 12:47:03 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1144405

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Rail Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the (a) dates of and (b) attendees at meetings held by Keith Williams as part of the Government Rail Review.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	286369
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>Yes; a list of Keith Williams’ meetings with key stakeholders will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 09/09/2019 13:51:52 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1144406

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Rail Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the total cost to the public purse of the Williams Rail Review.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	286370
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>The Williams Rail Review is funded from the Department for Transport’s existing budget. Neither Keith Williams nor the members of the Expert Challenge Panel are being paid.</p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 09/09/2019 13:24:50 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1144407

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railway Stations: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the data he used as part of a workforce planning session referred to by the Under Secretary of State for Transport in his oral evidence to the Transport Select Committee on 8 May on Train Operating Companies’ staffing levels at stations.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	286371
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not publish any official statistics on train operating companies’ workforces. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publish information on the total number of employees for each train operating company in Great Britain. The ORR’s website can be found at: <a href="https://orr.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://orr.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 09/09/2019 16:11:57 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1144409

	registered interest
	date	03/09/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Train Operating Companies: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish workforce data showing the (a) headcount and (b) the full-time equivalence of staffing levels of each train operating company.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	286372
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p>The Office of Rail and Road publish information on the total number of employees for each train operating company in Great Britain. The Department does not publish any official statistics on Train operating companies’ workforce.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Total number of employees, 2018-19</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Train Operating Company </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Employees</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>c2c</p></td><td><p>690</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Caledonian Sleeper</p></td><td><p>174</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Chiltern</p></td><td><p>852</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>CrossCountry</p></td><td><p>1,915</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East Midlands Trains</p></td><td><p>2,460</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Govia Thameslink Railway</p></td><td><p>7,276</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grand Central</p></td><td><p>193</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Great Western Railway</p></td><td><p>6,343</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greater Anglia</p></td><td><p>3,103</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hull Trains</p></td><td><p>122</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London North Eastern Railway</p></td><td><p>3,012</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London Overground</p></td><td><p>1,451</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Merseyrail</p></td><td><p>1,206</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Northern</p></td><td><p>6,183</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>ScotRail</p></td><td><p>5,168</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southeastern</p></td><td><p>4,410</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South Western Railway</p></td><td><p>5,177</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>TfL Rail</p></td><td><p>1,401</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>TfW Rail</p></td><td><p>2,293</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Transpennine Express</p></td><td><p>1,258</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Virgin Trains West Coast</p></td><td><p>3,724</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West Midlands Trains</p></td><td><p>2,834</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Additional years are available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/compendia/toc-key-statistics/" target="_blank">https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/compendia/toc-key-statistics/</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Daventry answering member printed Chris Heaton-Harris question first answered 09/09/2019 12:57:49 answering member 3977 label Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt