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1038325
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-01-09more like thismore than 2019-01-09
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Department for Work and Pensions: Disadvantaged more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the level of social exclusion is in rural areas; and what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 206832 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-01-16more like thismore than 2019-01-16
star this property answer text <p><strong> </strong>Through the evidence gathered in the 2017-18 Community Life Survey in England, indicators linked to social exclusion do not show a significant difference between urban and rural areas. Adults living in rural areas are less likely to say that they feel they often/always feel lonely than people living in urban areas (3% compared with 6%). In addition, adults living in rural areas are more likely to say they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood (68%) than those living in urban areas (61%).</p><p> </p><p>The cross-government team on tackling loneliness are working with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to ensure our work is complementary and to share insights and learn from one another.</p><p> </p><p>In its response to a House of Lords’ report on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in May 2018, the government reiterated its commitment to rural proofing all policies from the earliest stages so that they take account of the needs and circumstances of rural areas. Defra supports this through the provision of guidance and statistical information.</p><p>DWP undertakes analytical research through a range of trials and proof of concept, which considers claimants in rural and urban settings. To ensure DWP services are relevant to the needs of the individual and locality, JCP staff monitor local developments, with a focus on overcoming barriers to gain employment. Where there is a perceived gap, the Flexible Support Fund can be used to provide additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>In delivering a personalised service, claimant needs are taken into account when arranging any attendance. Work coaches personalise the support they provide for each claimant based on individual need and circumstance, including the offer of home visits or postal signing where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p>
star this property answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
star this property answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 206845 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-01-16T15:26:29.53Zmore like thismore than 2019-01-16T15:26:29.53Z
unstar this property answering member
4105
star this property label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1038346
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-01-09more like thismore than 2019-01-09
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Department for Work and Pensions: Disadvantaged more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of (a) how widespread social exclusion is in rural areas and (b) the effect of her Department’s policies on social exclusion in rural areas. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 206845 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-01-16more like thismore than 2019-01-16
star this property answer text <p><strong> </strong>Through the evidence gathered in the 2017-18 Community Life Survey in England, indicators linked to social exclusion do not show a significant difference between urban and rural areas. Adults living in rural areas are less likely to say that they feel they often/always feel lonely than people living in urban areas (3% compared with 6%). In addition, adults living in rural areas are more likely to say they feel they belong to their immediate neighbourhood (68%) than those living in urban areas (61%).</p><p> </p><p>The cross-government team on tackling loneliness are working with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to ensure our work is complementary and to share insights and learn from one another.</p><p> </p><p>In its response to a House of Lords’ report on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in May 2018, the government reiterated its commitment to rural proofing all policies from the earliest stages so that they take account of the needs and circumstances of rural areas. Defra supports this through the provision of guidance and statistical information.</p><p>DWP undertakes analytical research through a range of trials and proof of concept, which considers claimants in rural and urban settings. To ensure DWP services are relevant to the needs of the individual and locality, JCP staff monitor local developments, with a focus on overcoming barriers to gain employment. Where there is a perceived gap, the Flexible Support Fund can be used to provide additional financial support.</p><p> </p><p>In delivering a personalised service, claimant needs are taken into account when arranging any attendance. Work coaches personalise the support they provide for each claimant based on individual need and circumstance, including the offer of home visits or postal signing where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p>
star this property answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
star this property answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 206832 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-01-16T15:26:29.483Zmore like thismore than 2019-01-16T15:26:29.483Z
unstar this property answering member
4105
star this property label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1061159
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-02-14more like thismore than 2019-02-14
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Winter Fuel Payment: Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk received winter fuel payments in each of the last five winter periods; and what the annual cost of winter fuel payments in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk was in each of the last five years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 221817 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-02-21more like thismore than 2019-02-21
star this property answer text <p>Figures for the number of Winter Fuel Payment recipients in the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency are given in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>2013/14</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2014/15</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2015/16</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>25,020</p></td><td><p>24,760</p></td><td><p>24,460</p></td><td><p>24,150</p></td><td><p>23,770</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Figures for the annual cost of Winter Fuel Payment from the past five winters is not available at constituency level.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-02-21T12:46:56.553Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-21T12:46:56.553Z
unstar this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1061160
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-02-14more like thismore than 2019-02-14
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Cold Weather Payments: Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk received cold weather payments in each of the last five winter periods; and what the annual cost of cold weather payments in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk was in each of the last five years. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 221818 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-02-21more like thismore than 2019-02-21
star this property answer text <p>The Cold Weather Payment scheme is administered at weather station level rather than any other standard GB geography such as constituency level. The coverage area for each weather station is determined by the Met Office which assesses the most appropriate weather station for each postcode area. Cold weather payments are triggered when the average temperature recorded at the weather station has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0<sup>o</sup>C or below over seven consecutive days, during the Cold Weather season (November to March).</p><p> </p><p>The constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk covers all or part of the following postcode areas: DG14, EH37, EH38, EH43 and TD1-15.</p><p> </p><p>The above postcode areas are covered by four weather stations: Charterhall, Edinburgh Gogarbank, Eskdalemuir and Salsburgh. Qualifying individuals living in this area will have received a payment in respect of a seven-day period of Cold Weather, as shown in <strong>Table 1</strong>.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="6"><p><strong>Table 1 Estimated number of Cold Weather Payment recipients, by year and weather station</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Weather station</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013/14</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2014/15</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2015/16</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Charterhall</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>6,000</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>6,000<sup>1</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Edinburgh Gogarbank</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>72,000<sup>1</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Eskdalemuir</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>5,000<sup>1</sup></p></td><td><p>5,000</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>5,000<sup>3</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salsburgh</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>19,000<sup>1</sup></p></td><td><p>35,000</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>34,000<sup>2</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><p><sup>1</sup> There were two triggers at this weather station; recipients will have received two payments in that year. <sup>2</sup> There were four triggers at this weather station; recipients will have received four payments in that year. <sup>3</sup> There were five triggers at this weather station; recipients will have received five payments in that year.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Estimated expenditure for Cold Weather Payment recipients covered by Charterhall, Edinburgh Gogarbank, Eskdalemuir and Salsburgh weather stations can be seen in <strong>Table 2,</strong> along with the annual total for the four weather stations.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="6"><p><strong>Table 2 Estimated Expenditure of Cold Weather Payments, by year</strong> <strong> and weather station</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Weather station</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013/14</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2014/15</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2015/16</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Charterhall</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.1m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.3m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Edinburgh Gogarbank</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£3.6m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Eskdalemuir</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.2m</p></td><td><p>£0.1m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.6m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salsburgh</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£0.9m</p></td><td><p>£0.9m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£3.4m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£1.1m</p></td><td><p>£1.1m</p></td><td><p>£0.0m</p></td><td><p>£7.9m</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Charterhall, Edinburgh Gogarbank, Eskdalemuir and Salsburgh weather stations cover the following postcode areas, in <strong>Table 3</strong>, which include constituencies other than Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. We estimate that 313,000 payments to 117,000 recipients, totalling £7.9 million expenditure, were made in this area as a whole in respect of the triggers in 2017/18. We are not able to break this figure down to a lower level.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p><strong>Table 3 Postcode sectors mapped to Weather Stations</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Weather station</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Postcode Sectors Covered</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Charterhall</p></td><td><p>NE71, TD1-6, TD8, TD10-15.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Edinburgh Gogarbank</p></td><td><p>EH1-42, EH47-49, EH51-55, FK1-7, FK9-10, KY3, KY11-12.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Eskdalemuir</p></td><td><p>DG3-4, DG10-11, DG13-14, ML12, TD7, TD9.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Salsburgh</p></td><td><p>EH43-46, G65, G67-68, ML1-3, ML6-11.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Notes</p><p> </p><ol><li>The number of recipients and payments given here is an estimate as information on the exact number is not readily available. These figures are produced by determining the volume of eligible recipients in each weather station area at the start of the winter season and using these figures throughout the winter to estimate payments and expenditure based on the actual triggers recorded.</li></ol><p> </p><ol start="2"><li>The number of payments made is not necessarily the total number of individuals benefitting from a Cold Weather Payment. Any individuals making a joint claim for one of the qualifying benefits, such as a couple living together, will receive one payment between them rather than one payment each. Furthermore, if a weather station triggers more than once throughout a cold weather season then the recipients will receive more than one payment.</li></ol><p> </p><ol start="3"><li>Estimates of Cold Weather Payments are published weekly during the Cold Weather season. The latest published estimates can be found at the link below:</li></ol><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/social-fund-cold-weather-payments" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/social-fund-cold-weather-payments</a></p><p> </p><ol start="4"><li>The Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (CWP) scheme provides help to individuals on benefits who are the most vulnerable to the cold. Eligibility to receive CWP is detailed on the Cold Weather Payment Eligibility page which can be found at the link below:</li></ol><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p>
star this property answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
star this property answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-02-21T09:57:03.07Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-21T09:57:03.07Z
unstar this property answering member
4105
star this property label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1061168
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-02-14more like thismore than 2019-02-14
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Cancer more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the merits of changing disability living allowance and personal independence payments to enable young cancer patients to get payments backdated from the day of diagnosis. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 221823 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-02-21more like thismore than 2019-02-21
star this property answer text <p>Other than for those who are terminally ill, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability rather than a diagnosis. Primary legislation sets out that a claimant cannot be entitled to DLA or PIP for any period prior to the date of claim.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth more like this
star this property answering member printed Sarah Newton more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-02-21T13:45:09.503Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-21T13:45:09.503Z
unstar this property answering member
4071
star this property label Biography information for Sarah Newton more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1061169
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-02-14more like thismore than 2019-02-14
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Personal Independence Payment: Terminal Illnesses more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will extend the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process for personal independence payments to include people with unpredictable terminal illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 221824 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-02-21more like thismore than 2019-02-21
star this property answer text <p>As for the entitlement conditions generally, the special rules for terminal illness in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are not condition-based. At the end of October 2018, there were 751 claimants with Motor Neurone Disease in receipt of PIP under the special rules for terminal illness.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>I have met with the Honourable Member for Bridgend, Madeleine Moon MP, the Chair of the All-Party Group on Motor Neurone Disease on a number of occasions, and will continue to work with her alongside other stakeholders.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth more like this
star this property answering member printed Sarah Newton more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-02-21T13:29:57.853Zmore like thismore than 2019-02-21T13:29:57.853Z
unstar this property answering member
4071
star this property label Biography information for Sarah Newton more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1124929
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-05-07more like thismore than 2019-05-07
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Universal Credit: Housing more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make automatic payment of the housing cost element of universal credit directly to the landlord. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 251332 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-05-15more like thismore than 2019-05-15
star this property answer text <p>Universal Credit payments are designed to mirror the world of work, with monthly payments reflecting the way many working people are paid. This model of monthly payments allows claimants to take responsibility for budgeting their own income and helps prepare them for getting back to work.</p><p> </p><p>Many claimants are capable of managing their own financial affairs and for these claimants a Managed Payment to Landlords (MPTL) is not appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>A claimant’s personal circumstances could change in a way which means that they need additional support at any stage of a claim, not just at the start. As such, we make sure that managed payments to landlords (MPTL) are available to Universal Credit claimants when appropriate, either from the start of their claim or at whatever point in which they need help.</p><p> </p><p>A MPTL can be requested by the claimant, their representative or their landlord and will be considered on a case by case basis and requests for MPTLs are dealt with as a priority. Landlords who are given access to the Landlord Portal are also given Trusted Partner status which allows them to make recommendations on whether an MPTL should be put in place. All MPTL recommendations from Trusted Partners will be implemented in good faith by DWP.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Colchester more like this
star this property answering member printed Will Quince more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-05-15T11:07:15.61Zmore like thismore than 2019-05-15T11:07:15.61Z
unstar this property answering member
4423
star this property label Biography information for Will Quince more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1142927
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-09-02more like thismore than 2019-09-02
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading State Retirement Pensions: Females more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has any plans to (a) change the rules on the state pension age for women and (b) compensate those affected by the change in rules. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 284405 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-09-06more like thismore than 2019-09-06
star this property answer text <p>Successive Governments have made necessary decisions to equalise and increase the State Pension age. State Pension age reform has focused on maintaining the right balance between sustainability of State Pension, equality and fairness between generations in the face of demographic change.</p><p> </p><p>Even after equalising women’s State Pension age with men’s, women will spend more than 2 years longer on average in receipt of their state pension because of their longer life expectancy. If we had not equalised State Pension age, women would be expected to spend on average over 40 per cent of their adult lives in retirement.</p><p> </p><p>During the passage of the Pensions Act 2011, the Government listened to the concerns of those affected and this is why we introduced a concession worth over £1 billion in order to limit the impact on those women who would be most affected by the changes. This concession reduced the proposed increase in State Pension age for over 450,000 men and women, and means that no woman will see her pension age change by more than 18 months, relative to the 1995 Act timetable.</p><p> </p><p>For people who simply can’t work, our welfare system will continue to provide a strong safety net, as it does for people of all ages now. Any women experiencing hardship, including problems such as unemployment, disability, and coping with caring responsibilities, can already claim support from the welfare system. The Government is committed to supporting the vulnerable and spends over £50 billion a year on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions. The new State Pension is more generous for many women. Over three million women stand to gain an average of £550 extra per year by 2030 as a result of recent State Pension reforms.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-09-06T13:22:12.17Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-06T13:22:12.17Z
unstar this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1143010
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2019-09-02more like thismore than 2019-09-02
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Pension Credit: Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to ensure maximum uptake of pension credits in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 284570 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2019-09-06more like thismore than 2019-09-06
star this property answer text <p>It is important to highlight that there are over 1.6 million people already claiming some £5.4 billion in Pension Credit but the Government wants to ensure that <em>all</em> pensioners eligible can claim the Pension Credit to which they are rightly entitled. In Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk there are around 2,600 pensioners already claiming Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>On a national basis the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href="https://gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://gov.uk/</a>, in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p> </p><p>Potential customers can use the Pension Credit Calculator <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator</a> to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling the Freephone number 0800 99 1234.</p><p> </p><p>We welcome and encourage initiatives to promote take up of Pension Credit by local organisations who may often be best placed to understand the local circumstances and needs in the community. To help facilitate this, we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p> </p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant stakeholders a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the changes introduced on 15 May for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Hexham more like this
star this property answering member printed Guy Opperman more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2019-09-06T13:19:25.337Zmore like thismore than 2019-09-06T13:19:25.337Z
unstar this property answering member
4142
star this property label Biography information for Guy Opperman more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this
1194551
unstar this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2020-05-11more like thismore than 2020-05-11
star this property answering body
Department for Work and Pensions remove filter
star this property answering dept id 29 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Work and Pensions more like this
unstar this property answering dept sort name Work and Pensions more like this
star this property hansard heading Social Security Benefits: Scotland more like this
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made on devolving social security benefits to the Scottish Government; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the progress of that devolution. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Lamont remove filter
star this property uin 45386 more like this
star this property answer
answer
star this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2020-05-18more like thismore than 2020-05-18
star this property answer text <p>The Scottish Government has replaced Sure Start Maternity Grants and Funeral Expenses Payments with Scottish provision. It has also introduced a Supplement to Carer’s Allowance, and the Young Carer Grant which are completely new in Scotland. In addition, its contracted employment programme, Fair Start Scotland, has been in place since April 2018 and followed a year of transitional services, Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland, in 2017. These measures have been introduced with the support of the UK Government, and the two Governments continue to work closely together on further new benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment and Winter Heating Assistance for the parents of disabled children, which have interdependencies with the reserved social security system.</p><p> </p><p>On 1 April 2020, executive competence for extra-needs disability benefits and for industrial injuries provision transferred to the Scottish Government. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the same day, announcing that, due to the impact of coronavirus pandemic on capacity in the health and social care sectors in particular, the Scottish Government had decided to delay the introduction of replacement benefits for Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Personal Independence Payment. We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government on its revised timescales for replacing these benefits, and on its plans for the replacement of Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments. The Scottish Government has asked DWP to maintain the existing caseload of claims to Severe Disablement Allowance on its behalf, and an Agency Agreement is in place for this which will be reviewed after five years.</p><p> </p><p>Until the new Scottish benefits are introduced, DWP has agreed to continue to provide the existing benefits to people in Scotland under Agency Agreements on behalf of the Scottish Government, in the same way as they are provided to people in England and Wales. Both Governments’ priority remains the safe and secure transfer to the new Scottish benefits.</p><p /><p><strong> </strong></p>
star this property answering member constituency North Swindon more like this
star this property answering member printed Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2020-05-18T15:45:50.507Zmore like thismore than 2020-05-18T15:45:50.507Z
unstar this property answering member
4105
star this property label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson more like this
star this property tabling member
4608
unstar this property label Biography information for John Lamont more like this