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1041466

	registered interest
	date	14/01/2019
	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	Escape Rooms: Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the safety of escape rooms in the UK following deaths in a Polish escape room on 6 January 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	208427
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The enforcement of health and safety law in most leisure facilities, including escape rooms, is carried out by Local Authorities. Responsibility for assessing and managing health and safety risks in any business rests with the operator of the business and not the enforcement authority. Enforcement of fire safety legislation in escape rooms is a matter for the local fire and rescue service for that area.</p><p> </p><p>The general duty to ensure the safety of members of the public in Great Britain is set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the specific requirement to assess and control risk is contained in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Fire safety responsibilities are contained within The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales. In Scotland this is Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, supported by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulation 2006. Businesses that comply with the relevant legislation will be doing enough to ensure the safety of participants.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 21/01/2019 15:34:19 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1088757

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2019
	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	Independent Case Examiner: Complaints
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current waiting time is from the submission of a complaint to the office of the Independent Case Examiner to the allocation of the case to an Investigation Case Manager; and what steps she is taking to reduce that time.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	232654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2019 answer text <p>As at 15 March 2019, the Independent Case Examiner’s (ICE) Office was allocating cases to Investigation Case Managers that were accepted for investigation on the following dates:</p><p> </p><ul><li>DWP Pension, Disability and Working Age benefits - 29 November 2017</li><li>Child Maintenance Group - 5 December 2017</li><li>Contracted Provision - 8 January 2018</li></ul><p> </p><p>The ICE Office resources are reviewed on an annual basis and the Office received funding for thirteen additional staff in the current financial year (2018/2019). Productivity within the ICE Office has increased during the current reporting year, having cleared 1,139 complaints between March 2018 and February 2019, compared to 868 in the same period the previous year.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 19/03/2019 14:47:32 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1110301

	registered interest
	date	08/04/2019
	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: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to index the value of the UK state pension for British pensioners who live in Commonwealth countries.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	242248
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2019 answer text <p>The policy on the up-rating of UK State Pensions paid to recipients living outside the UK has been in place for over 70 years. The UK State Pension is payable worldwide without regard to nationality. Entitlement to the UK State Pension is based on the national insurance contributions on a person’s national insurance record. The annual index-linked increases to UK State Pensions are paid to recipients overseas only where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example in EEA countries or in countries where there is a reciprocal agreement in place that provides for the up-rating of the UK State Pension. The Government has no plans to change the policy of all Governments, Labour, Coalition or Conservative since WW2.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 16/04/2019 11:27:49 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1127546

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on issuing guidance to landlords who wish to rent to tenants who receive universal credit.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	256349
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has regular dialogue with other Secretary of States in the course of normal ministerial business, which includes discussion surrounding aspects of Universal Credit.</p><p /><p>The Department maintains guidance on GOV.UK, relevant for private and social sector landlords, with information about Universal Credit. This helps landlords to understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for: a) their move to Universal Credit and b) making payments of their housing costs (rent) direct to their landlord themselves. This can be accessed at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government does not collect data on how many landlords are not able to rent to tenants who receive universal credit because of their landlord insurance policies.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 256350 question first answered 28/05/2019 15:38:33 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1127547

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many landlords are not able to rent to tenants who receive universal credit because of their landlord insurance policies.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	256350
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has regular dialogue with other Secretary of States in the course of normal ministerial business, which includes discussion surrounding aspects of Universal Credit.</p><p /><p>The Department maintains guidance on GOV.UK, relevant for private and social sector landlords, with information about Universal Credit. This helps landlords to understand what they can do to help their tenants prepare for: a) their move to Universal Credit and b) making payments of their housing costs (rent) direct to their landlord themselves. This can be accessed at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-rented-housing--2/universal-credit-and-rented-housing-guide-for-landlords</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government does not collect data on how many landlords are not able to rent to tenants who receive universal credit because of their landlord insurance policies.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 256349 question first answered 28/05/2019 15:38:34 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1127548

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	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 assessment she has made of the adequacy of the timeframe for fixing problems with GOV.UK Verify in respect of universal credit claims.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	256351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/05/2019 answer text <p>Design and delivery of the GOV.UK Verify platform is the responsibility of the Government Digital Service (GDS) and its partners. The Department for Work and Pensions, along with other government departments is a user of this service, and provides feedback to GDS about its operation, recognising that people wanting to claim Universal Credit, or check their State Pension, can choose to use it to confirm their identity. The Department has no access to this information and claimants have direct contact with identity providers (also called ‘certified companies’).</p><p> </p><p>The Department will continue to consider options to provide the easiest and most secure digital services for our claimants.</p><p /><p>There are various ways in which a claimant can verify their identity for Universal Credit purposes: in person using primary and secondary ID verification or; by using biographical questions, for those who do not have identity documents.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 29/05/2019 11:54:13 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1127549

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	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	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will change the rules on universal credit joint applications to enable couples to verify their ID in person at separate times.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	256352
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/05/2019 answer text <p>At present, there are various ways in which a claimant can verify their identity for Universal Credit purposes: online using the gov.uk verify service; in person using primary and secondary ID verification or; by using biographical questions, for those who do not have identity documents.</p><p> </p><p>If an appointment is needed to verify a claimant’s ID in person, both members of a “couple claim” are not required to attend at the same time. The current process is that separate appointments will be arranged for each partner, at a time that is convenient for them.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 29/05/2019 12:04:15 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1145895

	registered interest
	date	25/09/2019
	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	Access to Work Programme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish details of Access to Work spending by region.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	291067
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/10/2019 answer text <p>Please see attached excel file.</p><p> </p><p>Here you will find Access to Work spending by region consistent with the published Access to Work statistics.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 04/10/2019 11:03:45 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson attachment 1 file name AtW expenditure regional breakdowns.xlsx title AtW Expenditure Regional Breakdown
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1149270

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2019
	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	Personal Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what disability training medical professionals undertaking personal independence payment assessments are required to have in respect to autism.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	685
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>All health professionals carrying out assessments are medically qualified and highly trained practitioners in their own field.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>DWP requires health professionals to have a broad training in disability analysis as well as awareness training in specific conditions which include autistic spectrum disorder.</p><p> </p><p>While preparing to undertake an assessment, health professionals have access to a range of resources as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with conditions that they may not be familiar with.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, assessment providers engage with medical experts, charities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen their training programmes.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 21/10/2019 16:26:58 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1168419

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2019
	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	Personal Independence Payment: 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 disability training medical professionals undertaking personal independence payment assessments are required to have in respect to autism.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	235
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/01/2020 answer text <p>All health professionals carrying out assessments are clinically qualified and registered practitioners in their own field.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>DWP requires health professionals to have a broad training in disability analysis as well as awareness training in specific conditions which include autistic spectrum disorder.</p><p> </p><p>While preparing to undertake an assessment, health professionals have access to a range of resources as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with conditions that they may not be familiar with.</p><p>Additionally, assessment providers engage with medical experts, charities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen their training programmes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 08/01/2020 14:51:35 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1303532

	registered interest
	date	17/03/2021
	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	Kickstart Scheme: South West
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobs the Kickstart scheme has created since its creation in (a) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency (b) Plymouth Moor View constituency (c) South West Devon and (d) the South West region.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	170737
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2021 answer text <p>I refer the honourable member to PQ <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-02-23/157063" target="_blank">157063</a>. I also refer the honourable member to PQ <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-03-09/165550?_sm_au_=iVVH8jWrFsrtkjD7W2MN0K7K1WVjq" target="_blank">165550</a> for regional breakdown of jobs made available for young people to apply to.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 23/03/2021 18:00:25 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1359107

	registered interest
	date	15/10/2021
	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: Reform
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to reform the triple lock on the State Pension.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	56145
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2021 answer text <p>There are no plans to reform the Triple Lock.</p><p> </p><p>The legislation currently before Parliament is a one-year response to exceptional circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 21/10/2021 13:33:44 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1365939

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2021
	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	Department for Work and Pensions: Ivory
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of ivory items owned by or collated by her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	69183
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2021 answer text <p>We have not made any estimates of the number of ivory items owned by or collated in this Department or institutions owned or managed by the Government.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 10/11/2021 12:32:27 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1404580

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2022
	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 and Support Allowance: Devon
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people who have been affected by the underpayment of benefits after transitioning from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance in (a) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, (b) Plymouth Moor View and (c) South West Devon constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	107721
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2022 answer text <p>I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 19<sup>th</sup> January to question number <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-01-14/104377" target="_blank">104377</a>.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 21/01/2022 12:22:05 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1433697

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	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	Personal Independence Payment: Pain
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to revise the guidance for personal independence payment assessments relating to chronic pain following the updated guidance from NICE in relation to the prescribing of medication to manage these conditions.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	126806
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2022 answer text <p>Entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is assessed based on the daily living and mobility needs arising from a health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not issue specific guidance to PIP assessors on chronic pain conditions or their management. However, the PIP Assessment Guide (PIPAG) contains guidance for Health Professionals (HP) carrying out PIP assessments, including how pain and medication such as painkillers should be considered. The PIPAG is regularly updated to ensure guidance for HPs remains relevant and accurate.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 28/02/2022 15:30:41 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1433698

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	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	Personal Independence Payment: Pain
	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 personal independence payments where chronic pain is the primary health condition are (a) refused at the initial application stage and (b) overturned at the mandatory reconsideration stage or appeal stage.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	126807
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2022 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>The table below provides information on initial decisions, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals following a Personal Independence Payment assessment where the primary condition has been determined as chronic pain. Chronic pain has been taken as anyone listed in the chronic pain syndromes subgroup (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and chronic pain syndromes– other), non-specific back pain and specific back pain. The proportion of these figures as a percentage of initial decisions is also included.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Initial decisions</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Disallowed at initial decision</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Changed at reconsideration or appeal after being disallowed at initial decision</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>515,520</p></td><td><p>168,130 (33%)</p></td><td><p>33,050 (6%)</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><ul><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.</li><li>Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics.</li><li>These figures include initial decisions following assessment for PIP New Claims and Reassessments from the start of the benefit in April 2013 up to 30th June 2021, the latest date for which published data is available.</li><li>These figures cover mandatory reconsideration and appeal decisions at a tribunal hearing up to 31st September 2021.</li><li>Decisions that were changed at mandatory reconsideration that were further changed at appeal have only been counted once.</li><li>A change at appeal includes those that were overturned and those that were lapsed.</li><li>A lapsed appeal is where DWP changed the decision in the customer’s favour after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at a tribunal hearing.</li></ul> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 01/03/2022 15:12:10 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1433699

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	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	Personal Independence Payment: Pain
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to assess the suitability of the personal independence payment assessment criteria for people with chronic pain.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	126808
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2022 answer text <p>PIP is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise from needs related to a long-term health condition or disability, such as a chronic pain condition. Entitlement is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from the health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently over 151,000 people in receipt of PIP whose primary disabling condition is a chronic pain condition.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 23/02/2022 16:55:56 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1433893

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	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	Social Security Benefits: Uprating
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the impact of not uprating benefits in line with inflation on levels of child poverty in Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport constituency.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	126809
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2022 answer text <p>No such assessment has been made. The Government is up-rating benefits in line with inflation. The Secretary of State undertakes an annual review of benefits and pensions with reference to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). All benefit up-rating since April 1987 has been based on the increase in the relevant price inflation index in the 12 months to the previous September. The relevant benefits are increasing by 3.1% from April.</p><p> </p><p>The latest statistics on the number and proportion of children who are in low income families by local area, covering the six years, 2014/15 to 2019/20, can be found in the annual publication: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-2014-to-2020" target="_blank">Children in low income families: local area statistics 2014 to 2020 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a>.</p><p> </p><p>This Government is committed to reducing poverty and supporting low-income families, and believes work is the best route out of poverty. Our approach is based on clear evidence about the importance of parental employment – particularly where it is full-time – in substantially reducing the risks of child poverty and in improving long-term outcomes for families and children.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 126529 126555 126629 126695 126700 126782 127438 question first answered 25/02/2022 11:30:35 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1452756

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2022
	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: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether capital held outside of the UK by Ukrainian refugees will be treated as capital for the purposes of their universal credit eligibility.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	143785
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2022 answer text <p>The emergency regulations laid on Monday 21 March 2022 ensure that Ukrainian evacuees can access Universal Credit and jobs support immediately. Each claim for benefit will be assessed individually and as quickly as possible. Available capital in the form of savings and investments will be taken into account. In order to be eligible for Universal Credit, claimants may have capital in the form of savings and investments of up to £16,000. Only capital in excess of £6,000 would cause Universal Credit to be reduced.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 143786 question first answered 28/03/2022 15:28:18 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1452757

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2022
	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: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of whether the time taken to determine Ukrainian refugees' eligibility for universal credit will be affected in the event that they hold capital outside the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	143786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2022 answer text <p>The emergency regulations laid on Monday 21 March 2022 ensure that Ukrainian evacuees can access Universal Credit and jobs support immediately. Each claim for benefit will be assessed individually and as quickly as possible. Available capital in the form of savings and investments will be taken into account. In order to be eligible for Universal Credit, claimants may have capital in the form of savings and investments of up to £16,000. Only capital in excess of £6,000 would cause Universal Credit to be reduced.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley grouped question UIN 143785 question first answered 28/03/2022 15:28:18 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1452758

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2022
	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	Social Security Benefits: Refugees
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional resources she is allocating to support the efficient processing of claims for assistance for refugees relocated under the Ukrainian visa schemes.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	143787
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2022 answer text <p>The Government’s new Ukraine Family Scheme and ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme will help thousands of Ukrainian families and individuals to enter the country. DWP is working closely with the Home Office to understand potential demand.</p><p>Under these schemes Ukrainian evacuees will have the right to work here from day one, as well as immediate access to the benefit system and our existing employment offer, including our £30 billion Plan for Jobs. Ukrainian evacuees who claim benefits like Universal Credit will have access to direct, personalised employment support from experienced Jobcentre Plus work coaches, who will help them to find and move into employment, with extra support available through DWP’s Flexible Support Fund. Translation services are available to help new arrivals with phone applications, with Work Coaches in DWP Jobcentres on hand to support people making claims online. DWP staff are also delivering additional face-to-face assistance to those who need it – including tailored support to find work and advice on benefit eligibility – and will continue to do so.</p><p>DWP’s National Employer Partnerships Team (NEPT) has received a number of approaches from employers. All have been contacted and advised that we will be in touch to take details of their opportunities to share with the wider DWP.</p><p>Timeframes are still being finalised and there is regular discussion with Other Government Departments. Refugee Employment Network are also linked into activity and will be involved in sharing opportunities.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 28/03/2022 15:24:00 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1519794

	registered interest
	date	10/10/2022
	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	Cost of Living Payments: Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency did not receive the first cost of living benefit instalment due to them receiving a nil award during the relevant Universal Credit assessment period.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	60062
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2022 answer text <p>There were 1,200 households containing 1,400 claimants in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport who have not received the first Cost of Living Payment due to a nil award.</p><p> </p><p><em>Notes:</em></p><ol><li><em>Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred. </em></li><li><em>Great Britain level figures have been provided. </em></li><li><em>Nil awards have been defined as households that received a £0 Universal Credit payment and had no deductions for advance repayments, third party debts or government debts and had no money paid directly to their landlord by Universal Credit.</em></li><li><em>Figures are provisional and are subject to retrospective change as later data becomes available. </em></li><li><em>The methodology used is different to those used to derive the Official Statistics Household series and therefore, figures may not be comparable.</em></li><li><em>The methodology and data source may be slightly different to those used to derive entitlement to the Cost-of-Living Payment.</em></li></ol> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 19/10/2022 17:02:06 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1648259

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2023
	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	Social Security Benefits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have received (a) Universal Credit, (b) Personal Independence Payment, (c) Employment and Support Allowance, (d) Disability Living Allowance for children and (e) housing benefit by gender in the last twelve months.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	191461
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2023 answer text <p>Benefit statistics are regularly published on <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Stat-Xplore</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Monthly statistics for people on Universal Credit by gender are available to May 2023. Quarterly statistics for people receiving Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (Child) by gender are available to November 2022. Monthly statistics for those entitled to Personal Independence Payment by gender are available to April 2023.</p><p> </p><p>As Housing Benefit can be claimed by a household as well as an individual, it is not possible to assign only one gender to a household. Therefore, gender refers to the gender of single claimants only and is available by month to February 2023.</p><p> </p><p>Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">guidance</a> on how to extract the information required.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 05/07/2023 09:55:03 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1683189

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2024
	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	Social Security Benefits: Armed Forces
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an estimate of the cost of disregarding in full compensation awarded to wounded service people and veterans under the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation schemes as income under (a) Income Support, (b) Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, (c) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, (d) Working Tax Credit and (d) Pension Credit.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	10335
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2024 answer text <p>Universal Credit replaced a number of benefits and tax credits. Within Universal Credit it was decided that War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Payments would not be taken into account as income in calculating the award.</p><p> </p><p>Guaranteed Income Payments, Service Attributable Pensions and service-attributable, non-taxable Service Invalidity Pensions are also not taken into account in the Universal Credit award.</p><p> </p><p>However, it has never been the intention that the rules around the treatment of income, or any other rules, should be changed across the legacy and other benefits to align them with Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Social care payments are the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 10336 question first answered 25/01/2024 11:29:24 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1683190

	registered interest
	date	17/01/2024
	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	Universal Credit: Armed Forces
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of fully disregarding as income compensation awarded to wounded service people and veterans under the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation schemes under Universal Credit.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	10336
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2024 answer text <p>Universal Credit replaced a number of benefits and tax credits. Within Universal Credit it was decided that War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Payments would not be taken into account as income in calculating the award.</p><p> </p><p>Guaranteed Income Payments, Service Attributable Pensions and service-attributable, non-taxable Service Invalidity Pensions are also not taken into account in the Universal Credit award.</p><p> </p><p>However, it has never been the intention that the rules around the treatment of income, or any other rules, should be changed across the legacy and other benefits to align them with Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>Social care payments are the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies grouped question UIN 10335 question first answered 25/01/2024 11:29:24 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

788653

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2017
	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: Appeals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit sanctions were appealed on the grounds that a claimant's child had died or been stillborn within the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	112497
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2017 answer text <p>The Department does not hold information on the reasons for appeals within its statistical datasets.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/11/2017 17:11:11 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

788654

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2017
	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 guidance and training is available to work coaches to advise them on the circumstances in which they can temporarily switch off a universal credit claimant's work search and availability (a) in the case of a bereavement and (b) otherwise.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	112498
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2017 answer text <p>All Work Coaches complete learning designed specifically for their role. This learning combines the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to coach claimants effectively so that they are able to identify for themselves what they need to do to find work and how best to do it.</p><p>Work Coaches are expected to recognise and consider the impact of complex circumstances, including emergency situations. By using the guidance available to them, along with their own discretion, Work Coaches are able to adjust the requirements they expect from claimants.</p><p>A copy of the Universal Credit Full Service guidance on ‘Switching off work availability and work related activities’ has been placed in the House of Commons library, and is available at the following link: <a href="http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2017-0556/24_CC-_Switching_off_work_availability_and_work_related_activities.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2017-0556/24_CC-_Switching_off_work_availability_and_work_related_activities.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 16/11/2017 17:17:59 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

825756

	registered interest
	date	19/01/2018
	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	Department for Work and Pensions: Former Members
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many former Conservative Members of Parliament who were defeated at the 2017 general election and who now work in her Department were appointed after a publicly advertised and open recruitment process.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	123823
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2018 answer text <p>This data is not recorded or stored. Candidates taking up appointment into the Civil Service are required to be impartial and independent of political and other external influence.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 25/01/2018 14:12:24 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

862225

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2018
	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	Asylum: National Insurance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will issue national insurance numbers to all asylum seekers when they are granted refugee status.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	132644
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2018 answer text <p>For those refugees granted leave to remain as a result of a successful asylum claim, a joint fast track National Insurance Number (NINo) application process operates between DWP and the Home Office. This process has been in place since 2005 but only included the main asylum applicant. This was extended to cover all adult dependants (aged 16 or over) in the refugee’s family from 15 January 2018.</p><p>Additionally from this date the NINo is now printed on the reverse of the refugees Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 21/03/2018 12:19:21 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

862236

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2018
	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	Habitual Residence Test
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of whether refugees should be required to pass a habitual residence test for benefits after being granted refugee status.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	132655
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2018 answer text <p>A right to reside in the UK is one of the eligibility conditions for those claiming income-related benefits. Those that are required to provide evidence of their right to reside are subject to the Habitual Residence Test (HRT). The HRT contains two elements: an assessment of the legal right of residence and an assessment of factual habitual residence. Refugees who provide documentation which confirms their legal right to reside in the UK will satisfy the HRT. Refugees are exempt from the assessment of factual habitual residence if the Home Office have granted them leave to remain in the UK with recourse to public funds.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 21/03/2018 12:26:54 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

914758

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2018
	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	Members: Correspondence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the average amount of time her Department has taken to respond to correspondence from (a) hon. Members and (b) hon. Members' offices over the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	149089
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2018 answer text <p>Information on the performance of departments and agencies on handling correspondence from Members is published annually by way of a written statement by the Cabinet Office. The most recent statement, covering 2016, was made on 11 July 2017, Official Record Vol. 627 HCWS35. The figures for 2017 will be made available in due course.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 07/06/2018 10:07:39 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1052482

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2019
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Gender Recognition
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to announce changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	215618
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2019 answer text <p>From 3 July to 22 October 2018, the Government ran a public consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in order to make the gender recognition process less bureaucratic and intrusive for the people that use it.</p><p> </p><p>We received over 100,000 responses to the consultation and we are now working to analyse these. We will publish the Government’s response in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle answering member printed Victoria Atkins question first answered 08/02/2019 14:25:09 answering member 4399 label Biography information for Victoria Atkins
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1536181

	registered interest
	date	26/10/2022
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Conversion Therapy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what her timescale is for bringing forward legislative proposals to ban conversion therapy.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	901846
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2022 answer text <p>The Government remains committed to protecting everyone from these conversion practices.</p><p><br>It is important that we get this right. As the newly appointed Minister, I will give careful consideration to our public consultation on the issue and respond in due course.</p><p><br>In the meantime, we have launched a support service open to all victims or those at risk of conversion practices.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 28/10/2022 10:06:51 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1366158

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2021
	answering body	Wales Office
	answering dept id	28
	answering dept short name	Wales
	answering dept sort name	Wales
	hansard heading	Wales Office: Ivory
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the number of ivory items owned by or collated by his Department.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	69692
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2021 answer text <p>The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales has not made any estimates of the number of ivory items owned by or collated in this Department or institutions owned or managed by the Government.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Monmouth answering member printed David T C Davies question first answered 10/11/2021 09:33:07 answering member 1545 label Biography information for David T C Davies
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1088526

	registered interest
	date	13/03/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Marine Protected Areas: Ascension Island
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what funding he is making available to enforce the Marine Protection Area around Ascension Island announced in the Spring Statement.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	232111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>Funding to establish a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) around Ascension Island will be made available under the Blue Belt programme, and will be consistent with funding for other MPAs. Funding for ongoing costs associated with the Ascension Island MPA will be delivered at the forthcoming Spending Review.</p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 18/03/2019 17:25:09 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1127721

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the pay settlement for staff of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	911019
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are part of the civil service. Therefore, responsibility for setting their pay and terms and conditions lies with the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Norfolk answering member printed Elizabeth Truss question first answered 21/05/2019 13:17:05 answering member 4097 label Biography information for Elizabeth Truss
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1168961

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Mayflower: Anniversaries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will change the status of the Mayflower 400 commemorative coin from collectors-only to general circulation.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	467
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>The Royal Mint has a long-established tradition of producing coins in order to mark historic moments. The 400<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage is an important moment in our shared history with the United States and will rightly be celebrated with the production of a commemorative coin. The number and denomination of coins issued into circulation is dependent on demand from UK banks and Post Offices.</p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 14/01/2020 12:41:17 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1184454

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Regional Planning and Development: South West
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he received on providing £2 million of seed funding for the Great South West initiative.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	28094
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>We received a wide range of representations at Spring Budget, including from the Great South West. The Chancellor set out our plan at Budget to level up every region and nation of the UK. For the South West, this ranges from major investment in infrastructure, including the A303 Stonehenge, an intra-city transport settlement for West of England from a £4.2bn envelope and the rollout of gigabit broadband, to a cut to National Insurance for over 2.5 million people in the South West.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 19/03/2020 12:11:33 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1198254

	registered interest
	date	01/06/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Students: Loans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak and the Bank of England’s reduction in interest rates, what plans he has to reduce the interest rates applied to Plan 2 Income Contingent Repayment student loans.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	52466
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2020 answer text <p>The system for setting interest rates on student loans is set out in The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2009, as amended.</p><p> </p><p>Student loans have much more favourable terms than commercial loans and the Government regularly monitors the interest rates set on student loans against the interest rates prevailing on the market. The most appropriate comparators for undergraduate student loans are the effective interest rates available on unsecured personal loans, as published by the Bank of England (data series CFMBJ77 and CFMBJ94).</p><p> </p><p>We continue to monitor Covid-19 impacts on students and work to understand the issues they face.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 08/06/2020 13:53:01 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1205288

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Business Rates: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost of including business improvement district levies in the business rates relief support during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	61592
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>Business rates are distinct from the Business Improvement District (BID) levy and are managed separately. The BID legislation requires businesses to pay the BID levy and any decision to waive or reduce the levy is to be made by the BID Board of Directors. Therefore, business rates relief will not be applied to any percentage payment towards a BID.</p><p> </p><p>However, the Government is making available up to £6.1 million of support to BIDs to cover the equivalent of three months of core operational costs. This funding will protect BID bodies from insolvency and ensure that they weather the current crisis. Local authorities and BIDs will now be able to be flexible with the enforcement of the levy for businesses that are unable to pay, but business remain liable for the levy and those that can still pay should still pay.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 24/06/2020 07:38:24 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1238724

	registered interest
	date	29/09/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Bowling: VAT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the reasons are for the exclusion of ten pin bowling businesses from the reduction in VAT for tourism and hospitality businesses.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	97026
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/10/2020 answer text <p>The temporary reduced rate of VAT was introduced on 15 July to support the cash flow and viability of over 150,000 businesses and protect 2.4 million jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors, which have been severely affected by Covid-19.</p><p> </p><p>Hospitality for the purposes of this relief includes the supply of food and non-alcoholic beverages from restaurants, cafes, pubs and similar establishments for consumption on the premises. It also includes the supply of hot food and non-alcoholic hot beverages to take away.</p><p> </p><p>Where a bowling alley provides such hospitality, that hospitality will benefit from the reduced rate, although admission to a bowling alley itself is not eligible. Further information can be found in VAT Guidance: reduced rate for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions on GOV.UK: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/catering-takeaway-food-and-vat-notice-7091" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/catering-takeaway-food-and-vat-notice-7091</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 06/10/2020 15:06:57 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1245145

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Beekeeping: Equipment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to adjust the rate of VAT applied to bee keeping equipment after the end of the transition period.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	106490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2020 answer text <p>VAT is a broad based tax on consumption and the twenty per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services, including on equipment used for bee keeping. Businesses that are registered for VAT will usually be able to reclaim the VAT they incur when they purchase these items for business purposes.</p><p> </p><p>Changing the rate of VAT on bee keeping equipment would come at a cost to the Exchequer. Although the Government keeps all taxes under review, the Government has no current plans to change the VAT treatment of such goods.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 28/10/2020 15:05:23 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1245146

	registered interest
	date	20/10/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Beekeeping: Equipment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the contribution to the public purse of VAT duties paid by bee keepers for bee keeping equipment in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	106491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2020 answer text <p>HMRC do not hold data on VAT collected specifically from the activities of bee keepers.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC record and publish annually details of VAT receipts and liabilities across trade sectors and subsectors, but not of activities at this level of detail.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC do not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level on their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 27/10/2020 12:26:02 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1273191

	registered interest
	date	30/12/2020
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Self-assessment: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what flexibility is provided in his plans to allow an additional 12 months for self-assessment taxpayers to pay their liabilities.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	133170
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2021 answer text <p>The Chancellor understands that many Self-Assessment taxpayers may find it difficult paying their Self-Assessment liabilities that become due on 31 January 2021, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>Therefore, on 1 October 2020, the Chancellor announced that from that date HMRC’s online payment service had been upgraded to enable more taxpayers to set up a Time To Pay instalment payment plan without the need to contact HMRC beforehand. The threshold for using this service was increased from £10,000 to £30,000. HMRC estimate that the increase in this threshold will enable 95% of the Self-Assessment liabilities becoming due on 31 January 2021 to be paid this way.</p><p> </p><p>Those taxpayers with Self-Assessment liabilities in excess of £30,000 can still contact HMRC to set up a bespoke Time To Pay arrangement appropriate to their personal circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC can be flexible with the duration of payment instalments. If a taxpayer needs longer than 12 months to settle their tax liabilities they are encouraged to contact HMRC in the usual way to agree a longer payment plan.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 14/01/2021 11:32:18 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1285128

	registered interest
	date	09/02/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans amend his policies on the triple lock on state pensions.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	151833
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2021 answer text <p>Due to the unprecedented economic circumstances, average earnings fell last year. Under current legislation, this would mean a freeze to State Pensions. However, the Government took action by legislating to give the Government the ability to increase State Pension and Pension Credit rates for 2021/22. This enabled the Government to honour its manifesto commitment to the Triple Lock which uprates the State Pension each year by the highest of average earnings growth, price inflation and 2.5%. As announced by the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions on 25 November, the new State Pension and the basic State Pension will both be increased by 2.5% this April.</p><p> </p><p>As with all aspects of Government policy with major spending implications, any decisions on future changes to the Triple Lock will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances. Final decisions on uprating policy for pensions and welfare benefits are taken by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions through her annual uprating review.</p> answering member constituency North East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Steve Barclay question first answered 15/02/2021 11:17:09 answering member 4095 label Biography information for Steve Barclay
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1299752

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Landfill Tax
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to change the landfill tax of flat glass from the lower rate to the standard rate.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	163301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>Materials liable for the lower rate of landfill tax, including glass, are listed in the 2011 Qualifying Materials Order. When assessing which materials are liable for the lower rate, the Government considers whether they are non-hazardous, have low potential for greenhouse gas emissions and have low polluting potential in the landfill environment. Further information can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/excise-notice-lft1-a-general-guide-to-landfill-tax/excise-notice-lft1-a-general-guide-to-landfill-tax#lower-rate-qualifying-material" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/excise-notice-lft1-a-general-guide-to-landfill-tax/excise-notice-lft1-a-general-guide-to-landfill-tax#lower-rate-qualifying-material</a></p><p> </p><p>The Government has no plans to change the landfill tax rate for flat glass, though continues to keep tax policy under review.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has funded Environment Agency/WRAP guidance on the proper collection and reprocessing of flat glass with the aim of increasing recycling rates. The Environment Agency is set to review this in May 2021.</p><p> </p><p>The Environmental (England and Wales) Permitting Regulation 2016 includes a statutory permit condition for landfill and incineration permit holders, placing a restriction on plastic, metal, paper or glass separately collected for reuse or recycling from being accepted for landfill or incineration unless it is the result of treatment operations and delivers the best environmental outcome in accordance with the waste hierarchy.</p><p> </p><p>Flat glass is a common waste product from construction and demolition. In the Resources &amp; Waste Strategy 2018, we committed to increasing resource efficiency and minimising waste in the construction sector, through working with the Green Construction Board.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 09/03/2021 10:15:38 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1301360

	registered interest
	date	10/03/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Incentives
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reintroducing the Job Retention Bonus; and when he plans to publish guidance on retention incentives.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	166555
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2021 answer text <p>The objective of the Job Retention Bonus (JRB) was to incentivise employers to retain employees between November, when the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was due to end, and the end of January 2021. However, the subsequent extension of the CJRS to April (now September) allowed employers to retain their staff during that period by covering 80% of the furloughed employees’ wages. Given this further extension to the end of September, the original policy intent of the JRB has fallen away.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to deploying a retention incentive at the appropriate time.</p> answering member constituency Hereford and South Herefordshire answering member printed Jesse Norman question first answered 18/03/2021 11:46:47 answering member 3991 label Biography information for Jesse Norman
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1348625

	registered interest
	date	20/07/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Carbon Emissions: Taxation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to introduce a carbon tax for carbon intensive food imports.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	36764
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/07/2021 answer text <p>As a global leader on decarbonisation, the UK recognises the importance of ensuring that policy interventions to cut domestic emissions do not lead to increased emissions elsewhere.</p><p> </p><p>A range of approaches could potentially help to address this risk, of which carbon border adjustment mechanisms are one. However, it is important any policy complies with our international obligations, including under the World Trade Organization and our Free Trade Agreements.</p><p> </p><p>Treasury ministers and officials are in regular contact with colleagues across the government on all matters related to the Net Zero transition.</p> answering member constituency Saffron Walden answering member printed Kemi Badenoch question first answered 26/07/2021 14:30:25 answering member 4597 label Biography information for Kemi Badenoch
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1365952

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Treasury: Ivory
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of ivory items owned by or collated by his Department.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	69186
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2021 answer text <p>We have not made any estimates of the number of ivory items owned by or collated in this Department or institutions owned or managed by the Government.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 12/11/2021 12:08:19 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1366164

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2021
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Ministerial Boxes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the green ministerial box cost that he used as a prop for a photoshoot at COP26; what budget the funding came from to pay for the box; and what plans he has for reusing the box.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	69694
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2021 answer text <p>The green briefcase was made available to the Chancellor by an official COP26 sponsor as part of COP26 Finance Day.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 09/11/2021 16:54:59 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard