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864364

	registered interest
	date	15/03/2018
	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	Work Capability Assessment: Motor Neurone Disease
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what work capability assessment exemptions exist for people diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	132848
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2018 answer text <p>Entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance is based on how a person’s health condition affects their functional capability to work. This means that we do not make exemptions from the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) process based solely on medical conditions.</p><p> </p><p>However I met representatives of the Motor Neurone Disease Association in February 2018, and listened to their concerns regarding the reassessment process. I have asked officials to look into the issues they raised.</p><p> </p><p>I have assured the Association that I will look carefully at how the reassessment process works for people with Motor Neurone Disease, and will consider change where this is possible.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 23/03/2018 10:54:45 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1048061

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2019
	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	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what performance indicators her Department has established for the length of time that a work capability reassessment should be carried out before the expiry of a current assessment.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	212674
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>Work Capability Assessments do not have expiry dates or performance indicators. As part of the Work Capability Assessment a healthcare professional gives advice on when they consider that a claimant should be reassessed, based on when it is expected that the individual’s condition will have improved to the point where looking for work may become a realistic option. Claimants are encouraged to provide any additional evidence in support of their claim, including from supporting medical professionals, which is taken into account in making the decision on their claim, including when the re-referral date is set.</p><p> </p><p>Re-referral dates can be 3, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months for those who have limited capability for work. For those who have limited capability for work-related activity, a three-year re-referral date can be recommended. Furthermore, from 29 September 2017 those placed in ESA’s Support Group and the UC equivalent who have the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function would always mean that they would have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, and be unlikely ever to be able to move into work, will no longer be routinely reassessed.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 06/02/2019 10:07:09 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

782207

	registered interest
	date	01/11/2017
	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: Leigh
	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 claiming universal credit in Leigh have requested an advance on their payments in each of the last four years.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	110869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2017 answer text <p>There is no data broken down by area or region. The latest statistics on Universal Credit Advances were published on 02 October 2017 which can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-payment-advances-may-2016-to-june-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-payment-advances-may-2016-to-june-2017</a>. This shows that, in July 2017, 8,400 new claims to UC Full Service received either a New Claim or Benefit Transfer Advance. This represents 52% of new claims that are eligible for a UC payment.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 08/11/2017 10:21:08 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1133718

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to prevent loansharks applying on behalf of an individual for a universal credit advance payment which is then issued as a loan to the individual.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	267343
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department takes any suspicious or fraudulent activity very seriously, especially when it has the potential to impact our vulnerable claimants.</p><p> </p><p>We investigate any allegations of fraudulent activity quickly and look to establish the facts, communicating quickly with our staff and colleagues to ensure that awareness is raised. We also continuously work to improve our services and create more robust processes to help our claimants interact with us in an easier, yet secure way which protects the most vulnerable.</p><p> </p><p>We cannot provide details about current investigations, but we investigate promptly and will refer to the relevant authorities to seek prosecution where appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 25/06/2019 16:49:49 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1134870

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

1136718

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

1148992

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

802766

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	UK Trade with EU
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has prepared a plan to assist small businesses in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal on the future trading relationship.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	118315
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/12/2017 answer text <p>Although the future trading relationship with the EU is subject to negotiations, we are committed to minimising disruption and giving as much certainty as possible. That’s why the Government is pursuing a time-limited implementation period to allow business the time they need to adapt to new arrangements.</p><p> </p><p>Government will be working alongside trade associations and others to communicate to businesses the changes in the UKs trading relationship with the EU, ensuring that they are ready for Day One of exit regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James grouped question UIN 118099 question first answered 15/12/2017 11:17:48 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

802789

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2017
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	UK Trade with EU
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary regarding the Border Force preparations being made to minimise the disruption to small business supply chains after the UK leaves the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	118332
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2017 answer text <p>I have regular discussions with my colleagues at the Home Office on a wide range of topics of mutual interest.</p><p> </p><p>Although the changes business will face - as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU - are subject to negotiations with our EU partners, we want to achieve the best possible outcome and the strongest possible partnership - one that works for UK businesses.</p><p> </p><p>We already have highly efficient processes for freight arriving from the rest of the world – the vast majority of customs declarations in the UK are submitted electronically and are cleared rapidly.</p><p> </p><p>However, we are committed to minimising disruption and giving as much certainty as possible. That’s why the Government is pursuing a time-limited implementation period to allow business the time they need to adapt to new arrangements.</p> answering member constituency Stourbridge answering member printed Margot James question first answered 14/12/2017 11:34:10 answering member 4115 label Biography information for Margot James
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

868428

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2018
	answering body	Department for Exiting the European Union
	answering dept id	203
	answering dept short name	Exiting the European Union
	answering dept sort name	Exiting the European Union
	hansard heading	UK Trade with EU
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether his Department has yet modelled the effect on the UK economy of the Government's intended future trade partnership with the EU.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	uin	133648
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2018 answer text <p>We are undertaking a comprehensive programme of analytical work examining all areas of the UK economy. Our analytical work contributes to our exit negotiations with the EU, defines our deep and special partnership with the EU, and informs our understanding of how EU exit will affect the UK’s domestic policies and frameworks.</p><p> </p><p>It is not standard practice to provide a running commentary on continuing, internal analysis. Ministers have a specific responsibility, which Parliament has endorsed, not to release information that could reveal our negotiating position.</p> answering member constituency Wycombe answering member printed Mr Steve Baker question first answered 26/03/2018 14:57:16 answering member 4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt