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1003624

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2018
	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	HSBC: Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received on the HSBC Midland Bank pension clawback; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	189598
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2018 answer text <p><strong>Successive governments including the Labour government 1997-2010, Coalition and present Conservative government have had a consistent position on this issue.</strong> The Department for Work and Pensions receives a number of written representations on the Midland Pension Scheme, which is now part of the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme, about its integrated pension (or claw-back) policy from individuals and from Members of Parliament writing on their behalf, as it does on many issues.</p><p> </p><p>The Governments position on this issue was set out in response to a written parliamentary question on this subject, which can be accessed here.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-11-13/112544/" target="_blank">https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-11-13/112544/</a></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/11/2018 17:12:58 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1005810

	registered interest
	date	12/11/2018
	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	State Retirement Pensions: Females
	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 a publish a list of newspapers in which adverts on the change to the state pension age for women were placed since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	190376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>As reported in the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee report; <em>Communication of state pension age changes</em>, published in March 2016, there were more than 600 mentions of state pension age equalisation in the national broadsheet and tabloid press between 1993 and 2006 – an average of just under one per week – on “front pages, News and City sections as well as personal finance pages”, and most concentrated “in 1993-95 and again from 2005-06”.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not have any records that suggest it has used paid newspaper advertising since 2010 specifically to advertise State Pension age changes.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 20/11/2018 18:02:03 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1061195

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2019
	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	Jobcentres: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total number of computers available for public use in Jobcentres in England was in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	221632
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is detailed below and is from internal DWP data which has not been quality assured to official statistical standards:</p><p /><p>Reliable data for the period 2010-2013 is not held.</p><p> </p><p>In 2014 national roll-out of customer devices* was completed by June 2014, with a total in England of 6761.</p><p> </p><p>Between 2015 and 2018 these devices were maintained in England at 6761.</p><p> </p><p>In 2019 the number of customer devices in jobcentres in England has reduced to 6409 due to the rationalisation of the DWP Estate. These figures include 44 new up to date customer devices which have been installed and are currently being trialled in 3 offices in England from 2019. This should result in all devices in England being replaced during 2019 with new bespoke machines designed to support the Universal Credit customer journey.</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p>* A desktop computer available for public use, available for the majority of time with the exception of servicing and updates.</p><p> </p><p>These figures do not include “JobPoints/JobKiosks” that could be used by the public for job search activities and which were completely decommissioned by November 2014.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/02/2019 18:10:01 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1061197

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2019
	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	Jobcentres: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many computers have been available for public use in Jobcenters in each region of England in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	221633
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is detailed below and is from internal DWP data which has not been quality assured to official statistical standards:</p><p> </p><p>Reliable data for the period 2010-2013 is not held.</p><p> </p><p>For the period 2014-2019 the number of devices * is detailed in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Region</p></td><td><p>Years 2014-2018</p></td><td><p>Number of devices</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southern</p></td><td rowspan="5"><p> </p></td><td><p>1101</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London &amp; Home Counties</p></td><td><p>1794</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Central</p></td><td><p>1553</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>1050</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>1263</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Region</p></td><td><p>Year: 2019</p></td><td><p>Number of devices</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southern</p></td><td rowspan="5"><p> </p></td><td><p>1044</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London &amp; Home Counties</p></td><td><p>1723</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Central</p></td><td><p>1462</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>992</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>1188</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>For 2019 the number of customer devices in jobcentres in England has reduced overall to 6409, due to the rationalisation of the DWP Estate. These figures include 44 new up to date customer devices which have been installed and are currently being trialled in 3 offices in England from 2019. This should result in all devices in England being replaced during 2019 with new bespoke machines designed to support the Universal Credit customer journey.</p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p><strong>* </strong>A desktop computer available for public use, available for the majority of time with the exception of servicing and updates.</p><p> </p><p>These figures do not include “JobPoints/JobKiosks” that could be used by the public for job search activities and which were completely decommissioned by November 2014</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 19/02/2019 18:27:55 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1077338

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2019
	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	Jobcentres: Computers
	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 19 February to Question 221633 on Jobcentres: Computers, how many JobPoints/JobKiosks were available for public use in each of the regions of England in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	225426
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not held.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 28/02/2019 16:35:48 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1131301

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of additional claims that will be made for pension credit following the limiting of free TV licences to people aged over 75 claiming that benefit.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	263077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <p>The BBC made its announcement about future eligibility of free TV licences on Monday 10 June. It is too early for an assessment of the potential impact on additional Pension Credit claims to be made. Official statistics on the take-up of income related benefits, including pension credit at general Great Britain level can be found in the ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2016 to 2017’ publication. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017</a></p><p>The Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href="https://gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://gov.uk/</a> , in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p>Potential customers can use the Pension Credit <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator</a> to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234.</p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible customers is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant organisations a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the recent changes for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 25/06/2019 13:34:48 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman previous answer version 123349 answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1137502

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Disability: Medical Examinations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what specific qualifications are required to operate as a disability assessor for her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	274452
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Health Professionals that carry out Work Capability and Personal Independence Payment assessments on behalf of the department must have the following qualifications and experience:</p><p> </p><ul><li>are an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, doctor (or paramedic - PIP only)</li><li>fully registered with the relevant licensing body (doctors must have a licence to practise)</li><li>the licensing body has not placed any sanctions on the health professional's registration</li><li>at least 2 years post full registration experience or less than 2 years post full registration experience by specific agreement with the department.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Health Professionals are subject to a rigorous recruitment process followed by a comprehensive training programme in disability assessment for both physical and mental health conditions and have to be approved by the department. Health Professionals are then required to complete a programme of continuing professional development.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 11/07/2019 14:37:59 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1140856

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	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	Pensions
	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 plans to take to limit a person's pension age rise when age eligibility for the state pension is increased.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	280183
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/08/2019 answer text <p>The Government published its review of State Pension age in July 2017. The report can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630065/state-pension-age-review-final-report.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630065/state-pension-age-review-final-report.pdf</a>.</p><p>The next Government review of State Pension age will be completed within six years of that report.</p><p>The Pensions Act 2014 requires the Government to regularly review State Pension age and report to Parliament, to help to ensure the rules about State Pension age are appropriate having regard to life expectancy and the costs of increasing longevity are shared fairly between the generations, and provide greater clarity around the plans for changing State Pension age in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The changes to State Pension age became law following consultation and extensive debates in Parliament. During the passage of the Pensions Act 2011, Parliament introduced limits to person’s State Pension age rise, worth £1.1 billion, which reduced the proposed increase in State Pension age for over 450,000 men and women, meaning that no woman will see her pension age change by more than 18 months, relative to the original 1995 Act timetable.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 12/08/2019 10:22:41 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1143938

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2019
	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	Post Office Card Account
	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 effect of the end on the Post Office Card Account on vulnerable people that use that service.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	285121
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>The Department’s contract with Post Office Limited for the Post Office Card Account is due to end in 2021.</p><p>For vulnerable customers who are unable to open or operate a standard account, the Department will implement a replacement payment service.</p><p>Customer insight has influenced business requirements for the new service which outline the positive outcomes that must be achieved to ensure that the payment needs of individuals who are in a vulnerable situation are met. This includes the ability to obtain cash payments from a network of payment outlets in their local area (including suburban and rural locations).</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 05/09/2019 11:08:58 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1172616

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2020
	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	Jobcentres: Computers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many computers are available for public use in Jobcentres in (a) each region of England and (b) the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
	tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
	uin	6616
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>The information requested is detailed below and is from internal DWP data which is correct at the time of this response.</p><p> </p><p>a) English regions</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of devices</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Southern England</p></td><td><p>1380</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London &amp; Home Counties</p></td><td><p>1128</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Central</p></td><td><p>1214</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Northern England</p></td><td><p>2096</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>b) UK</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Region (total)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of devices</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>England</p></td><td><p>5818</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>784</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>480</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><ul><li>The project that led on delivering our new PCs instructed offices to place the number of devices they have for replacement. However, some offices ordered a reduced number of devices based on capacity in the office and the need of customers at that time.</li><li>We closed a number of offices between 2017 and 2019. In the past twelve months, we have closed a further 9 sites and completed 7 co-locations and where those offices were co-located, DWP devices were not installed because PCs for public use were provided by the Local Authority or Third Party.</li></ul><p> </p><p>We also have improved access to our Wi-Fi services in all jobcentres, allowing customers to use their own personal devices to access internet services.</p><p> </p><p>We also constantly review the number of PC’s available for customers and have capacity to increase the number of devices quickly, if the need arises.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 27/01/2020 17:44:24 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan