{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2016-02-04&min-ddpModified=2016-02-04T21%3A10%3A42.130Z&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Work+and+Pensions", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?date=2016-02-04&min-ddpModified=2016-02-04T21%3A10%3A42.130Z&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Work+and+Pensions", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2016-02-04&min-ddpModified=2016-02-04T21%3A10%3A42.130Z&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Work+and+Pensions&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2016-02-04&_page=0&min-ddpModified=2016-02-04T21%3A10%3A42.130Z&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Work+and+Pensions", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2016-02-04&min-ddpModified=2016-02-04T21%3A10%3A42.130Z&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Work+and+Pensions", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?date=2016-02-04&min-ddpModified=2016-02-04T21%3A10%3A42.130Z&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Work+and+Pensions", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450672", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450672/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for Work and Pensions lead on support for people with mental health problems in getting back to work. Over the next three years, we are investing over £40 million to develop the evidence base on what works in supporting those with mental health conditions get back to work/return to work through a series of trials<\/p>
<\/p>
Further support is available through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service. Last year, Access to Work supported 1630 people who declared a Mental Health condition as their Primary Medical Condition \u2013 a 15% increase on 2013/14 and a record number for the programme<\/p>
<\/p>
Our wider employment programmes provide those with mental health conditions with the appropriate support to find work. Work Choice is an employment programme is specifically for those with a disability or health condition. Up to September 2015, of the 14,290 starters who declared either a Severe or Mild to Moderate Mental Health condition as their Primary Disability, 6,650 (over 46%) have achieved a job outcome.<\/p>
<\/p>
(BIS)<\/strong> Support is not restricted to employees, as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is evaluating the impact of short, part-time adult education courses on people with mild to moderate mental health problems.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-11T13:54:52.337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment Schemes: Mental Illness"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps his Department has taken to provide further support for people with mental health problems in returning to work.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1593", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sammy Wilson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Antrim"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sammy Wilson"}
], "uin" : "25942"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450673", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450673/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The information requested is not available.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4066", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Priti Patel"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Priti Patel"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-12T13:31:14.233Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Work Programme: Mental Illness"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people of working age with mental health problems have been assisted into work through his Department's work programme in each of the last two years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1593", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sammy Wilson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Antrim"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sammy Wilson"}
], "uin" : "25943"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450815", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450815/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Latest statistics show that 76,960 new businesses have been set up with the support of the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA).<\/p> <\/p> A cohort study of the initial participants in the scheme showed that 78% of the first 2,960 NEA participants who started to trade remained off benefits for 52 weeks.<\/p> <\/p> In January 2016 we published an evaluation report which showed that business established with the support of NEA had a sustainability rate of 80%, with over 90% of these trading for over 12 months. Around half of the respondents to the survey reported an expansion in their customer base or an increase in turnover. The majority of respondents were planning to expand their business in the future.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4066", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Priti Patel"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Priti Patel"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-12T13:44:38.037Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "New Enterprise Allowance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the new Enterprise Allowance scheme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
], "uin" : "25970"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450816", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450816/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We recognise that the transition from DLA to PIP can be challenging for individuals, which is why the Department worked closely with Motability as we developed our plans for the introduction of PIP. The Motability charity provides a one-off package of transitional support and advice to support customers who no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Motability scheme. For most of these customers who entered into their first lease agreement with Motability before January 2013, Motability will provide transitional support of £2,000. This will enable many former Scheme customers to continue to meet their mobility needs by purchasing a used car.<\/p> For customers who entered into their first lease agreement with the scheme after January 2013 and up to December 2013, Motability will supply transitional support of £1,000 to assist with mobility costs. Motability is also providing help with the cost of adaptations made to non-scheme vehicles and information on non-scheme motoring and insurance. The Scheme also offers customers an opportunity to purchase their vehicle after the end of the lease.<\/p> Support with employment is available through the Access to Work Scheme, which is potentially available on application to anyone with a health condition or disability that affects the way they perform their job and who needs practical support above and beyond the reasonable adjustments that an employer has a duty to make under the Equality Act 2010. The type of support Access to Work provides is tailored to an individual\u2019s needs and can include travel to work.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-10T11:50:37.643Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Motability"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the effect on (a) the wellbeing and (b) access to employment and training of people who no longer have access to a motability vehicle due to moving from disability living allowance to personal independence payment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4436", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Cat Smith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lancaster and Fleetwood"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Cat Smith"}
], "uin" : "25971"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450817", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450817/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Claimants who are interested in participating in the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) are referred by their work coach to a provider so that they can explore the self-employment options. Participation is voluntary.<\/p> <\/p> The take up of the NEA is closely linked to the number of people claiming Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance, which begun to drop in 2013 \u2013 2014. It is also worth noting that during 2013 the Department ran a high profile marketing campaign to promote the NEA, using posters & leaflets in jobcentres, YouTube videos, Webinars etc. which may also have influenced take up of the scheme in that year.<\/p> <\/p> The table below shows how many starts there were with a business mentor in each financial year.<\/p> <\/p> NEA mentor starts by financial year (1<\/sup>)<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Number (2,3)<\/sup><\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> April 2011 - March 2012<\/p><\/td> 15,170<\/p><\/td><\/tr> April 2012 - March 2013<\/p><\/td> 31,880<\/p><\/td><\/tr> April 2013 - March 2014<\/p><\/td> 47,800<\/p><\/td><\/tr> April 2014 - March 2015<\/p><\/td> 39,830<\/p><\/td><\/tr> April 2015 - September 2015 (six months)<\/p><\/td> 18,200<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> (1) Data Source - DWP LMS opportunities evaluation database October 2015 for all quarters, DWP PRaP database October 2015 for Jan-Sept 2015.<\/p> (2) Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.<\/p> (3) It is possible that an individual may start to work with a mentor more than once and therefore appear more than once in these figures.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4066", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Priti Patel"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Priti Patel"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-12T14:39:57.743Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "New Enterprise Allowance: Applications"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have applied to the National Enterprise Allowance scheme in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
], "uin" : "26011"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450819", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450819/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The NEA is delivered by contracted providers who use a combination of paid and volunteer mentors to deliver business mentoring support. The exact number of mentors used by providers is not known.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4066", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Priti Patel"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Witham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Priti Patel"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-12T13:38:53.647Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "New Enterprise Allowance: Advisory Services"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many National Enterprise Allowance advisers are employed as part of that scheme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
], "uin" : "25956"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450820", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450820/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department\u2019s policy is to recover outstanding debt whenever possible. Where a person is not in receipt of benefit and all the Department\u2019s attempts at recovery have been unsuccessful, the overpayment will be referred to a debt collection agency. The debtor is always given an opportunity to make an agreement to pay the Department before the debt is sent to a debt collection agency to recover.<\/p> <\/p> With the exception of one service provider currently being used by the Child Maintenance Group, the Department does not hold extant, direct contracts with any debt collection agencies although the nature of some of the expired contracts means that a number of collections are still being made. DWP now makes use of one main contract with Indesser. The Framework Contract is managed by Cabinet Office. Indesser manage relationships with a number of Debt Collection Agencies on behalf of all Government Customers.<\/p> <\/p> Under the terms of the Framework Agreement, Indesser and its sub-contractors must comply with relevant industry and public sector standards for service delivery including those of the Credit Services Association, the Code of Practice and the Financial Conduct Authority guidelines. The standards are listed in the DMI Framework Agreement. Indesser reviews subcontractor compliance with these standards through audit and assurance activity, including responsibility for ensuring that they comply with relevant industry standards, managing their performance, and monitoring any complaints. Customer departments (i.e. DWP) in turn receive Letters of Assurance which they review to ensure standards are being achieved and the audits are effective.<\/p> <\/p> The breakdown of figures you have requested is derived from operational processes and systems designed solely for the purpose of helping the Department to manage its business. As it was not originally intended for publication, it has not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance checks applied to our published official statistics.<\/p> <\/p> The debt collection agency costs of the Child Maintenance Group and DWP are given separately. Please note that the figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000.<\/p> <\/p> The cost to the DWP of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.59m<\/p><\/td> £8.50m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £1.33m<\/p><\/td> £9.77m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £2.11m<\/p><\/td> £13.94m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £1.95m<\/p><\/td> £14.15m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £2.12m<\/p><\/td> £15.00m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £2.52m<\/p><\/td> £17.30m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016*<\/p><\/td> £1.64m<\/p><\/td> £11.05m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> *to date<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The cost to Child Maintenance Group of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.25m<\/p><\/td> £10.20m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £0.56m<\/p><\/td> £4.68m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £0.35m<\/p><\/td> £1.35m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £0.21m<\/p><\/td> £1.71m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £0.05m<\/p><\/td> £1.21m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £0.10m<\/p><\/td> £0.86m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016 to date<\/p><\/td> £0.07m<\/p><\/td> £0.53m<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "25949"}
, {"_value" : "25951"}
, {"_value" : "25952"}
, {"_value" : "25953"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-12T14:15:16.237Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions: Debt Collection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent on using debt collection agencies in each of the last seven years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
], "uin" : "25955"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450821", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450821/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department\u2019s policy is to recover outstanding debt whenever possible. Where a person is not in receipt of benefit and all the Department\u2019s attempts at recovery have been unsuccessful, the overpayment will be referred to a debt collection agency. The debtor is always given an opportunity to make an agreement to pay the Department before the debt is sent to a debt collection agency to recover.<\/p> <\/p> With the exception of one service provider currently being used by the Child Maintenance Group, the Department does not hold extant, direct contracts with any debt collection agencies although the nature of some of the expired contracts means that a number of collections are still being made. DWP now makes use of one main contract with Indesser. The Framework Contract is managed by Cabinet Office. Indesser manage relationships with a number of Debt Collection Agencies on behalf of all Government Customers.<\/p> <\/p> Under the terms of the Framework Agreement, Indesser and its sub-contractors must comply with relevant industry and public sector standards for service delivery including those of the Credit Services Association, the Code of Practice and the Financial Conduct Authority guidelines. The standards are listed in the DMI Framework Agreement. Indesser reviews subcontractor compliance with these standards through audit and assurance activity, including responsibility for ensuring that they comply with relevant industry standards, managing their performance, and monitoring any complaints. Customer departments (i.e. DWP) in turn receive Letters of Assurance which they review to ensure standards are being achieved and the audits are effective.<\/p> <\/p> The breakdown of figures you have requested is derived from operational processes and systems designed solely for the purpose of helping the Department to manage its business. As it was not originally intended for publication, it has not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance checks applied to our published official statistics.<\/p> <\/p> The debt collection agency costs of the Child Maintenance Group and DWP are given separately. Please note that the figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000.<\/p> <\/p> The cost to the DWP of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.59m<\/p><\/td> £8.50m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £1.33m<\/p><\/td> £9.77m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £2.11m<\/p><\/td> £13.94m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £1.95m<\/p><\/td> £14.15m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £2.12m<\/p><\/td> £15.00m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £2.52m<\/p><\/td> £17.30m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016*<\/p><\/td> £1.64m<\/p><\/td> £11.05m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> *to date<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The cost to Child Maintenance Group of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.25m<\/p><\/td> £10.20m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £0.56m<\/p><\/td> £4.68m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £0.35m<\/p><\/td> £1.35m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £0.21m<\/p><\/td> £1.71m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £0.05m<\/p><\/td> £1.21m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £0.10m<\/p><\/td> £0.86m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016 to date<\/p><\/td> £0.07m<\/p><\/td> £0.53m<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "25951"}
, {"_value" : "25952"}
, {"_value" : "25953"}
, {"_value" : "25955"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-02-12T14:15:15.873Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions: Debt Collection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with how many debt collection agencies his Department has a contract.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
], "uin" : "25949"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450822", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450822/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department\u2019s policy is to recover outstanding debt whenever possible. Where a person is not in receipt of benefit and all the Department\u2019s attempts at recovery have been unsuccessful, the overpayment will be referred to a debt collection agency. The debtor is always given an opportunity to make an agreement to pay the Department before the debt is sent to a debt collection agency to recover.<\/p> <\/p> With the exception of one service provider currently being used by the Child Maintenance Group, the Department does not hold extant, direct contracts with any debt collection agencies although the nature of some of the expired contracts means that a number of collections are still being made. DWP now makes use of one main contract with Indesser. The Framework Contract is managed by Cabinet Office. Indesser manage relationships with a number of Debt Collection Agencies on behalf of all Government Customers.<\/p> <\/p> Under the terms of the Framework Agreement, Indesser and its sub-contractors must comply with relevant industry and public sector standards for service delivery including those of the Credit Services Association, the Code of Practice and the Financial Conduct Authority guidelines. The standards are listed in the DMI Framework Agreement. Indesser reviews subcontractor compliance with these standards through audit and assurance activity, including responsibility for ensuring that they comply with relevant industry standards, managing their performance, and monitoring any complaints. Customer departments (i.e. DWP) in turn receive Letters of Assurance which they review to ensure standards are being achieved and the audits are effective.<\/p> <\/p> The breakdown of figures you have requested is derived from operational processes and systems designed solely for the purpose of helping the Department to manage its business. As it was not originally intended for publication, it has not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance checks applied to our published official statistics.<\/p> <\/p> The debt collection agency costs of the Child Maintenance Group and DWP are given separately. Please note that the figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000.<\/p> <\/p> The cost to the DWP of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.59m<\/p><\/td> £8.50m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £1.33m<\/p><\/td> £9.77m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £2.11m<\/p><\/td> £13.94m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £1.95m<\/p><\/td> £14.15m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £2.12m<\/p><\/td> £15.00m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £2.52m<\/p><\/td> £17.30m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016*<\/p><\/td> £1.64m<\/p><\/td> £11.05m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> *to date<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The cost to Child Maintenance Group of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.25m<\/p><\/td> £10.20m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £0.56m<\/p><\/td> £4.68m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £0.35m<\/p><\/td> £1.35m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £0.21m<\/p><\/td> £1.71m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £0.05m<\/p><\/td> £1.21m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £0.10m<\/p><\/td> £0.86m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016 to date<\/p><\/td> £0.07m<\/p><\/td> £0.53m<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
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, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-02-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions: Debt Collection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department regulates the activities of debt collection agencies during the period that they are under contract with his Department.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Paisley and Renfrewshire North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Gavin Newlands"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450823", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/450823/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department\u2019s policy is to recover outstanding debt whenever possible. Where a person is not in receipt of benefit and all the Department\u2019s attempts at recovery have been unsuccessful, the overpayment will be referred to a debt collection agency. The debtor is always given an opportunity to make an agreement to pay the Department before the debt is sent to a debt collection agency to recover.<\/p> <\/p> With the exception of one service provider currently being used by the Child Maintenance Group, the Department does not hold extant, direct contracts with any debt collection agencies although the nature of some of the expired contracts means that a number of collections are still being made. DWP now makes use of one main contract with Indesser. The Framework Contract is managed by Cabinet Office. Indesser manage relationships with a number of Debt Collection Agencies on behalf of all Government Customers.<\/p> <\/p> Under the terms of the Framework Agreement, Indesser and its sub-contractors must comply with relevant industry and public sector standards for service delivery including those of the Credit Services Association, the Code of Practice and the Financial Conduct Authority guidelines. The standards are listed in the DMI Framework Agreement. Indesser reviews subcontractor compliance with these standards through audit and assurance activity, including responsibility for ensuring that they comply with relevant industry standards, managing their performance, and monitoring any complaints. Customer departments (i.e. DWP) in turn receive Letters of Assurance which they review to ensure standards are being achieved and the audits are effective.<\/p> <\/p> The breakdown of figures you have requested is derived from operational processes and systems designed solely for the purpose of helping the Department to manage its business. As it was not originally intended for publication, it has not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance checks applied to our published official statistics.<\/p> <\/p> The debt collection agency costs of the Child Maintenance Group and DWP are given separately. Please note that the figures are rounded to the nearest £10,000.<\/p> <\/p> The cost to the DWP of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.59m<\/p><\/td> £8.50m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £1.33m<\/p><\/td> £9.77m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £2.11m<\/p><\/td> £13.94m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £1.95m<\/p><\/td> £14.15m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £2.12m<\/p><\/td> £15.00m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £2.52m<\/p><\/td> £17.30m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016*<\/p><\/td> £1.64m<\/p><\/td> £11.05m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> *to date<\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The cost to Child Maintenance Group of the debt collection agencies, and the related recovery made by them, is as follows:<\/p> Financial Year<\/p><\/td> Spend<\/p><\/td> Recoveries<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009/2010<\/p><\/td> £1.25m<\/p><\/td> £10.20m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010/2011<\/p><\/td> £0.56m<\/p><\/td> £4.68m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011/2012<\/p><\/td> £0.35m<\/p><\/td> £1.35m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012/2013<\/p><\/td> £0.21m<\/p><\/td> £1.71m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013/2014<\/p><\/td> £0.05m<\/p><\/td> £1.21m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014/2015<\/p><\/td> £0.10m<\/p><\/td> £0.86m<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015/2016 to date<\/p><\/td> £0.07m<\/p><\/td> £0.53m<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions: Debt Collection"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy is on using debt collection agencies for collection of outstanding payments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4420", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Newlands"}
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