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1127849

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Employment: Learning Disability
	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 ensure that people with learning disabilities are given (a) adequate support and (b) opportunities to hold down meaningful employment.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	256950
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Improving employment opportunities for people with a learning disability is a Government priority. We take a life course approach and are working with other Departments to tackle barriers to employment that start early in life. For example, we work with Department for Education on implementing the Maynard Task Force recommendations which help people with learning disabilities to access Apprenticeships. DWP is also testing ways to improve our support to this group, through initiatives like the Local Supported Employment proof of concept, which seeks to build our evidence base on how we can best help users of adult social care (many of whom have learning disabilities) to be able to work.</p><p> </p><p>Through Disability Confident, we are encouraging employers to offer more opportunities to disabled people, including people with a learning disability. Nearly 12,000 employers are signed up to the scheme and we recently announced our commitment to increase this number to 20,000 over the year.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work supports disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, who are in work or participating on Traineeships, apprenticeships or supported internships. Last year, record numbers of people with learning disabilities received support from Access to Work, with figures up 22% on 16/17.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is working with the Supported Business Alliance (SBA) and The British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) to:</p><ul><li>help them develop a new quality mark for supported businesses and</li><li>to develop a new long term element of Access to Work to continue support for those already working for a supported business, and help more disabled people to join them.</li></ul><p>This will help those with the most severe barriers to work, including people with learning disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing £40m in a new Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, which rolls out in late 2019 and is expected to benefit 10,000 people. It will provide highly personalised packages of employment support for disabled people, including those with a learning disability, who are at least a year away from moving into work.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 256951 question first answered 04/06/2019 14:00:20 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1127850

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	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	Employment: Learning Disability
	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 support employers in creating equal opportunities for people with learning disabilities in the workplace.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	256951
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/06/2019 answer text <p>Improving employment opportunities for people with a learning disability is a Government priority. We take a life course approach and are working with other Departments to tackle barriers to employment that start early in life. For example, we work with Department for Education on implementing the Maynard Task Force recommendations which help people with learning disabilities to access Apprenticeships. DWP is also testing ways to improve our support to this group, through initiatives like the Local Supported Employment proof of concept, which seeks to build our evidence base on how we can best help users of adult social care (many of whom have learning disabilities) to be able to work.</p><p> </p><p>Through Disability Confident, we are encouraging employers to offer more opportunities to disabled people, including people with a learning disability. Nearly 12,000 employers are signed up to the scheme and we recently announced our commitment to increase this number to 20,000 over the year.</p><p> </p><p>Access to Work supports disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, who are in work or participating on Traineeships, apprenticeships or supported internships. Last year, record numbers of people with learning disabilities received support from Access to Work, with figures up 22% on 16/17.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is working with the Supported Business Alliance (SBA) and The British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) to:</p><ul><li>help them develop a new quality mark for supported businesses and</li><li>to develop a new long term element of Access to Work to continue support for those already working for a supported business, and help more disabled people to join them.</li></ul><p>This will help those with the most severe barriers to work, including people with learning disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing £40m in a new Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, which rolls out in late 2019 and is expected to benefit 10,000 people. It will provide highly personalised packages of employment support for disabled people, including those with a learning disability, who are at least a year away from moving into work.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 256950 question first answered 04/06/2019 14:00:20 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1131301

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	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	Pension 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 of additional claims that will be made for pension credit following the limiting of free TV licences to people aged over 75 claiming that benefit.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	263077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The BBC made its announcement about future eligibility of free TV licences on Monday 10 June. It is too early for an assessment of the potential impact on additional Pension Credit claims to be made. Official statistics on the take-up of income related benefits, including pension credit at general Great Britain level can be found in the ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2016 to 2017’ publication. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017</a></p><p>The Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href="https://gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://gov.uk/</a> , in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p>Potential customers can use the Pension Credit <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator</a> to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234.</p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible customers is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant organisations a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the recent changes for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 25/06/2019 13:34:48 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 123349 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1137502

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	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	Disability: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what specific qualifications are required to operate as a disability assessor for her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	274452
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Health Professionals that carry out Work Capability and Personal Independence Payment assessments on behalf of the department must have the following qualifications and experience:</p><p> </p><ul><li>are an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, doctor (or paramedic - PIP only)</li><li>fully registered with the relevant licensing body (doctors must have a licence to practise)</li><li>the licensing body has not placed any sanctions on the health professional's registration</li><li>at least 2 years post full registration experience or less than 2 years post full registration experience by specific agreement with the department.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Health Professionals are subject to a rigorous recruitment process followed by a comprehensive training programme in disability assessment for both physical and mental health conditions and have to be approved by the department. Health Professionals are then required to complete a programme of continuing professional development.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/07/2019 14:37:59 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1129193

	registered interest
	date	03/06/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Mortgages: Interest Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps he has taken to enable mortgage customers who were trapped when their mortgages were sold to vulture funds to take advantage of lower interest rates; and if he will launch an inquiry.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	259027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2019 answer text <p>The Treasury recognises that mortgage prisoners can be in a difficult and sometimes stressful situation. However, the servicer of these mortgages must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that customers are protected by the FCA’s principle of Treating Customers Fairly; their Mortgage Conduct of Business rules; and customers have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service.</p><p> </p><p>The Treasury has also worked closely with the FCA to consider how to remove the regulatory barriers that might prevent some customers from accessing better deals.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA are now consulting on changes that will move the required affordability assessment from an absolute test to a relative one. This will enable lenders to more easily accept switching consumers, providing they are up-to-date with repayments and are not borrowing more.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA consultation closes on 26 June 2019.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 06/06/2019 13:14:54 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1138828

	registered interest
	date	15/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Public Transport: Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he will take to ensure that the Access for All accessibility programme includes improving access to public transport for autistic passengers and other people with invisible disabilities.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	277116
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/07/2019 answer text <p>We recently added 73 stations to the £300m Access for All programme, which provides accessible routes at stations. Network Rail will engage with local disability groups to ensure that designs meet the needs of all passengers.</p><p> </p><p>£20m of this funding is available for smaller scale access improvements and we will welcome nominations for projects that provide improvements for non-visible disabilities, such as autism.</p><p> </p><p>Direct awards and future franchise replacements will also require train operators to deliver staff disability training which includes awareness of non-visible disabilities.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani question first answered 18/07/2019 16:16:35 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1134986

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the implications for his Department's policy on the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia are of the Court of Appeal ruling on 20 June 2019 in R (on the application of Campaign Against Arms Trade) v. The Secretary of State for International Trade.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	269653
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is carefully considering the implications of the Court of Appeal judgment of 20 June for decision making. While we do this, we will not grant any new licences for exports to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Egypt) for possible use in the conflict in Yemen. We disagree with the judgment and are seeking permission to appeal.</p><p> </p><p>Extant licences are not immediately affected by this judgment but decisions about these licences are remitted to the Government to reconsider in the light of the judgment. The Campaign Against Arms Trade did not seek an Order to suspend licences and the Court has not ordered their suspension. The Court expressly clarified that the outcome of the reconsideration was not a foregone conclusion.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart grouped question UIN 269654 question first answered 02/07/2019 11:51:59 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart previous answer version 126280 answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1134987

	registered interest
	date	26/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Trade
	answering dept id	202
	answering dept short name	International Trade
	answering dept sort name	International Trade
	hansard heading	Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the implications of the Court of Appeal ruling on 20 June 2019 in R (on the application of Campaign Against Arms Trade) v. The Secretary of State for International Trade are for his Department's policy on existing licences to export arms to Saudi Arabia.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	269654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The Government is carefully considering the implications of the Court of Appeal judgment of 20 June for decision making. While we do this, we will not grant any new licences for exports to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Egypt) for possible use in the conflict in Yemen. We disagree with the judgment and are seeking permission to appeal.</p><p> </p><p>Extant licences are not immediately affected by this judgment but decisions about these licences are remitted to the Government to reconsider in the light of the judgment. The Campaign Against Arms Trade did not seek an Order to suspend licences and the Court has not ordered their suspension. The Court expressly clarified that the outcome of the reconsideration was not a foregone conclusion.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart grouped question UIN 269653 question first answered 02/07/2019 11:51:59 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart previous answer version 126279 answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1126351

	registered interest
	date	14/05/2019
	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	Yemen: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent discussions he has had with international agencies on the security situation in Yemen.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	910882
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The security situation in Yemen is of great concern. Working with partners and agencies, we are monitoring developments and doing all we can to end the conflict. The UK has played a leading role in diplomatic efforts and will continue to do so. My Right Honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Yemen in March. He also hosted a ministerial Quad meeting last month to discuss implementation of the Hodeidah agreement and next steps in the political process. I welcome reports over the weekend that the Houthis have begun their withdrawal from Hodeidah. I look forward to receiving independent verification from the UN and hearing the assessment of the UN Special Envoy during his briefing to the Security Council.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 14/05/2019 14:22:06 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1137612

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Apprentices: Film
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the amount of apprenticeship levy money that was (a) paid by and (b) spent on apprenticeships by screen industry companies in financial year 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	274454
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The apprenticeship levy is collected by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from employers with a pay bill in excess of £3 million per year. HMRC does not collect data which allows levy collection to be broken down by sector. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) does not require levy-paying employers to register a sector when they set up an online apprenticeship service account to manage their funds. Therefore, ESFA are unable to supply information on the sectoral distribution of spending on apprenticeships in the format requested.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 11/07/2019 08:26:40 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan