The Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality was appointed in 2015 to offer advice to the Scottish Government on the action it could take to tackle poverty in Scotland.<\/p>
<\/p>
Nevertheless, the UK Government has taken note of the Advisor\u2019s two publications: Shifting the Curve<\/em> (and its most recent progress report) and The Life Chances of Young People<\/em>.<\/p> <\/p> The UK Government remains committed to tackling the root causes of child poverty and disadvantage, and has set out a framework for continued action in Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families<\/em>, published on 4 April.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3349", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Buscombe"}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Buscombe"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-25T10:30:43.807Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the lessons to be learned from the reports of the Scottish Government's Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality in the light of persistent poverty levels in the United Kingdom.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4564", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bird"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bird"}
], "uin" : "HL953"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752464", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752464/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/em><\/p> The assessment period and payment structure of Universal Credit creates a fixed period between date of entitlement and the first payment.<\/p> <\/p> The policy intention is that claimants receive the first payment 5 weeks after their date of entitlement (6 weeks if waiting days are served). The assessment period runs for a full calendar month from the date of entitlement, and the UC pay date will be 7 calendar days after the end of the assessment period. This mirrors the world of work and allows for a 1 month period in which to gather information about a claimants\u2019 earnings. Advances and budgeting support are available to support claimants during this period. Advances can provide up to 50% of a claimants indicative award straight away.<\/p> <\/p> The latest internal data, for week ending 19 June, suggests some 80% of cases were paid in full at the end of the first assessment period. For the 20% of cases who were not paid in full we estimate around a third have not signed up to their claimant commitment so cannot be paid until they have. The other two thirds have an outstanding verification issue, such as providing bank statements, evidence of childcare costs, or proof of rent. Many of these claimants receive a part-payment where elements of the claim have been verified.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3349", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Buscombe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Buscombe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL911"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-25T10:29:55.917Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the findings by Citizens Advice in its report Delivering Universal Credit, what steps they plan to take to reduce the time taken for the first payment of universal credit to be made.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4234", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
], "uin" : "HL910"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752465", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752465/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/em><\/p> The assessment period and payment structure of Universal Credit creates a fixed period between date of entitlement and the first payment.<\/p> <\/p> The policy intention is that claimants receive the first payment 5 weeks after their date of entitlement (6 weeks if waiting days are served). The assessment period runs for a full calendar month from the date of entitlement, and the UC pay date will be 7 calendar days after the end of the assessment period. This mirrors the world of work and allows for a 1 month period in which to gather information about a claimants\u2019 earnings. Advances and budgeting support are available to support claimants during this period. Advances can provide up to 50% of a claimants indicative award straight away.<\/p> <\/p> The latest internal data, for week ending 19 June, suggests some 80% of cases were paid in full at the end of the first assessment period. For the 20% of cases who were not paid in full we estimate around a third have not signed up to their claimant commitment so cannot be paid until they have. The other two thirds have an outstanding verification issue, such as providing bank statements, evidence of childcare costs, or proof of rent. Many of these claimants receive a part-payment where elements of the claim have been verified.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3349", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Buscombe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Buscombe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-25T10:29:56Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government how many claimants of universal credit have had to wait for more than six weeks for the first payment of universal credit; and what is the average waiting time.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4234", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
], "uin" : "HL911"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752466", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752466/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We are planning to publish data on the Universal Credit Advances in due course.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3349", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Buscombe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Buscombe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-25T10:30:07.15Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government how many advance payments of universal credit have been made following a claim for universal credit since its introduction; and what proportion of all claims that number represents.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4234", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
], "uin" : "HL912"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752541", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752541/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We have a number of safeguards in place to help claimants transition to Universal Credit including Advances and Budgeting Support. Claimants can apply for an advance immediately and can receive up to 50 percent of their indicative award shortly afterwards. Personal Budgeting Support is also discussed at the claimant\u2019s initial work search interview to gauge their potential support needs and can include money advice. We continue to work closely with landlords, Local Authorities and other organisations to ensure claimants are supported throughout the assessment process. <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-20T16:18:26.82Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
, "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 steps his Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of errors or delays in the rollout of universal credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "5464"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752542", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752542/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Sanctions are only used in a minority of cases when people fail to meet each of their requirements that they agreed in their Claimant Commitment without good reason.<\/p> <\/p> We have a well-established system of hardship payments, available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs, including accommodation, heating, food and hygiene, as a result of their sanction.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-20T16:19:00.127Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Disqualification"}
, "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 steps his Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of benefit sanctions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "5463"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752543", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752543/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Claimants can request a Short Term Benefit Advance or a Universal Credit Advance before they receive their first payment of benefit.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-20T16:17:25.343Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits"}
, "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 steps his Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of the time taken to process social security applications and payments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "5462"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752800", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/752800/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The latest available data on personal independence payment (PIP) clearances split by type of clearance (i.e. whether the claim was awarded, disallowed or withdrawn) can be found at https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/<\/a>.<\/p>