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1138285

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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: Fraud
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent bona fide applicants for Universal Credit suffer penalties, if fraudulent applications are made in respect of them.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17082
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes the prevention of fraud extremely seriously. Part of its strategy includes ensuring Universal Credit transactions are secure, including tackling loopholes fraudsters may seek to exploit, which sadly can target some of our most vulnerable claimants.</p><p> </p><p>It is, however, important to recognise that the vast majority of advances on Universal Credit are legitimate and ensure those in need of financial support get the help they need during their transition to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>All claims where fraud may have been committed are investigated. We are committed to the use of penalties such as prosecutions and tough financial penalties, where appropriate, to discourage this fraudulent behaviour. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we have a dedicated team of investigators to address this issue, and are working with Social Media sites to shut down posts which promote this fraud. The Department also operates a policy of explicit consent to help reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that our claimants’ data is kept safe from unscrupulous organisations and individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is also raising awareness of this issue through a campaign being run on social media to remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity. We have also been working to further improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff and guidance has been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s Counter-fraud team.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL17081 question first answered 05/09/2019 11:37:06 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1138284

	registered interest
	date	10/07/2019
	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: Fraud
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent fraudulent applications for Universal Credit, in particular for loans, other than issuing warnings about keeping personal details secret.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17081
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes the prevention of fraud extremely seriously. Part of its strategy includes ensuring Universal Credit transactions are secure, including tackling loopholes fraudsters may seek to exploit, which sadly can target some of our most vulnerable claimants.</p><p> </p><p>It is, however, important to recognise that the vast majority of advances on Universal Credit are legitimate and ensure those in need of financial support get the help they need during their transition to Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>All claims where fraud may have been committed are investigated. We are committed to the use of penalties such as prosecutions and tough financial penalties, where appropriate, to discourage this fraudulent behaviour. The Department considers all cases on their own merits and decisions are made on the strength of the evidence provided.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, we have a dedicated team of investigators to address this issue, and are working with Social Media sites to shut down posts which promote this fraud. The Department also operates a policy of explicit consent to help reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that our claimants’ data is kept safe from unscrupulous organisations and individuals.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is also raising awareness of this issue through a campaign being run on social media to remind people of the importance of safeguarding their identity. We have also been working to further improve knowledge and awareness of advances fraud amongst Jobcentre and Service Centre staff and guidance has been issued to ensure that staff are aware how to refer cases of suspected fraud to the Department’s Counter-fraud team.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL17082 question first answered 05/09/2019 11:37:06 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1140016

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that Universal Credit payments begin within a week of a person registering for that benefit.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17251
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/09/2019 answer text <p>Universal Credit payments are available on the first day of a claim in the form of an advance payment of benefit. Advances of up to 100 per cent of a claimant’s expected Universal Credit award are available from day one of their claim, if required. Advances are paid back over a maximum of 12 months and in the Autumn Budget 2018, we announced that from October 2021, the payback period for these advances will be extended further, to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>This is just one of a number of measures the Department has put in place to support claimants during their first assessment period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 02/09/2019 15:49:10 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141921

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	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	Philippines: Politics and Government
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Philippines about (1) President Duterte’s treatment of his political opponents, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Vice President Leni Robredo, Congressmen Antonio Tinio and Ariel Casilao, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Senator Leila de Lima, (2) upholding human rights and media freedom, (3) plans to reintroduce the death penalty, and (4) plans to amend the constitution to move towards a more federal government structure.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17465
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/08/2019 answer text <p>The British Government regularly raises concerns about a range of troubling human rights issues in the Philippines with the Government, including the treatment of human rights defenders, the deteriorating space for political debate, reintroduction of the death penalty and media freedom.</p><p>The UK co-sponsored an Icelandic resolution on the human rights situation in the Philippines at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council in July which highlighted these concerns. The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the Philippines raised our human rights concerns with Cabinet Secretaries in February 2019. We also discussed human rights with Philippines Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo during the UK-Philippines High Level Talks in Manila in November 2018.</p><p>The British Government hosted a global conference on Media Freedom on 10-11 July. The prominent Philippine human rights defender and journalist, Maria Ressa, was one of the key speakers.</p><p>The British Embassy in Manila is closely following the cases of sedition filed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in July against 36 opposition figures, including Maria Lourdes Sereno, Vice President Leni Robredo, Congressmen Antonio Tinio and Ariel Casilao, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Senator Leila de Lima.</p><p>We are following discussions around federalism in the Philippines. Our Embassy in Manila has held discussions with the Philippine Government covering proposed timelines for implementation and format, as well as offering reflections on the UK model of devolution.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 13/08/2019 14:13:25 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141538

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	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	Syria: Turkey
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that at least 13 civilians have recently been kidnapped by militants supported by Turkey in the Afrin province of Syria; and what plans they have to discuss such reports with the government of Turkey.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17406
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2019 answer text <p>We have not received reports of this incident. We regularly discuss the situation in Syria with the Government of Turkey, and have made clear to Turkey the importance we attach to protection of civilians in Afrin.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/08/2019 14:07:16 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141537

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	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	Palestinians: Academic Freedom
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made, or intend to make, to the government of Israel about (1) international academics at Birzeit and other Palestinian universities reportedly being denied entry or residence visas by Israel, and (2) academic freedom and harm to those universities caused by any such visa refusals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17405
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2019 answer text <p>We are aware of the difficulties some foreign passport holding academic staff have faced in their attempts to teach at Palestinian universities, in particular the visa denials and delays they have faced. The Government is concerned about the possible increasing trend of the Israeli immigration service limiting access, and denying entry or residency to the West Bank, especially for academics. This is impacting on the ability of academics to teach in the OPTs, affecting the quality of Palestinian higher education provision, and further disadvantaging Palestinians. We continue to raise our concerns about Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement and access into and out of the OPTs, including for foreign nationals, with the Israeli authorities.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/08/2019 14:07:00 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141536

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	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	Saudi Arabia: Palestinians
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that over 150 Palestinians have been recently arrested in Saudi Arabia, possibly because of alleged links with the Muslim Brotherhood; whether any of those people have refugee status; and what action they intend to take to ensure that those arrested are not held indefinitely.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17404
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2019 answer text <p>​We are concerned by the reports that 150 Palestinians have been arrested in Saudi Arabia. Our Embassy in Riyadh plan to raise this at the next available opportunity.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/08/2019 14:04:15 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141539

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2019
	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	Syria: Peace Negotiations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will send an observer to the Astana Process meeting, starting in Kazakhstan on 1 August.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2019 answer text <p>We have no plans to send an observer to upcoming talks on Syria in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Our priority remains to end the conflict through a negotiated political settlement. We fully support the UN-led Geneva process, which remains the forum to achieve this.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 06/08/2019 13:39:06 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141922

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	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	Poverty
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the National School Breakfast Programme feeding an estimated 280,000 children, (2) the number of pupils receiving Free School Meals, (3) the incidence of food banks, food pantries and similar help in kind, throughout England and Wales; and what consideration they are giving, as a result of any such assessment, to reviewing their policies to address destitution, food and fuel poverty and ensure sufficient services to prevent poverty.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17466
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to tackling poverty in all its forms by building a strong economy and a benefit system that supports employment and higher pay. A child growing up in a home where all adults are working is around 5 times less likely to be in poverty than a child in a household where nobody works. Since 2010, there are around 1 million fewer workless households and 667,000 fewer children in such households.</p><p>To help make sure every child gets the best start in life, the Department for Education is investing up to £26 million in a programme to establish or improve breakfast clubs in over 1,700 schools, targeting most disadvantaged areas. The programme’s effectiveness will be reviewed once it concludes next year. Additionally, over 1.2 million of the most disadvantaged children receive a free school meal.</p><p>The Government has not made an assessment of the incidence of food banks or similar charity-based provision in England and Wales. However, new questions have been added to the Family Resources Survey to develop a food insecurity measure from 2021 to help better understand the drivers of food insecurity and identify which groups are most at risk.</p><p>This Government spend more on family benefits than any other country in the G7, at 3.5% of GDP (OECD, 2015 data), demonstrating a commitment to providing a strong safety net for those that need it.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 05/08/2019 15:49:45 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1141923

	registered interest
	date	24/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Breakfast Clubs
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the National School Breakfast Programme beyond 1 April 2020; and when any such decision will be (1) made, and (2) announced.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL17467
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/07/2019 answer text <p>The department is investing up to £26 million in a breakfast club programme, using funds from Soft Drinks Industry Levy revenues. This money will kick-start and improve breakfast clubs in over 1,700 schools. The focus of these clubs has been to target the most disadvantaged areas of the country – including the Department for Education’s Opportunity Areas – to help ensure every child gets the best start in life.</p><p>A contract was awarded to Family Action in March 2018 and will run until March 2020. Family Action, in partnership with Magic Breakfast, have both been named as the leading charities responsible for running the Breakfast Club programme. Family Action are distributing the appropriate funding to participating schools who meet the eligibility criteria. Family Action has confirmed that they have reached their recruitment target of 1,775 schools.</p><p>We monitor management information from the programme on an ongoing basis and will fully review the effectiveness of the programme once the programme concludes, including the number of children attending. Decisions about any funding beyond March 2020 will be taken as part of the upcoming Spending Review.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 30/07/2019 15:46:28 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton