In 2013-14, 240 local authorities in Great Britain spent less than 100% of their total Government contribution in DHP, of which 5 were in Wales. Thirteen local authorities, of which two were in Wales, reported expenditure which exactly matched their Government contribution.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
In June, the Government published an analysis of local authority DHP expenditure in 2013-14, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/322455/use-of-discretionary-housing-payments-june-2014.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/220", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Webb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thornbury and Yate"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Webb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T16:26:33.9236354Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Discretionary Housing Payments"}
, "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 local authorities in (a) Wales and (b) the UK returned unused discretionary housing payment to his Department in 2013-14.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3910", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guto Bebb"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aberconwy"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Guto Bebb"}
], "uin" : "221890"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100913", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100913/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Five local authorities in Wales spent less than their 2013-14 Government contribution in Discretionary Housing Payments. These were:<\/p> <\/p> Local Authority Government Contribution Amount Unspent<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> Ceredigion<\/p><\/td> £324,933<\/p><\/td> £290<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Conwy<\/p><\/td> £267,700<\/p><\/td> £1,498<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Gwynedd<\/p><\/td> £605,141<\/p><\/td> £20,072<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Newport<\/p><\/td> £343,870<\/p><\/td> £1<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Pembrokeshire<\/p><\/td> £193,940<\/p><\/td> £4,176<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p> Details for all 240 local authorities in Great Britain which spent less than their 2013-14 Government contribution in DHP are provided in the attached annex.<\/p> For the remaining 140 local authorities across Great Britain, of which 17 were in Wales, DHP expenditure in 2013-14 either matched or exceeded the Government contribution.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/220", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Webb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thornbury and Yate"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Webb"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100913/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "UnspentDHPGB.PDF"}
, "title" : "Unspent DHP GB"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T16:10:27.4587607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Discretionary Housing Payments"}
, "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 each local authority in (a) Wales and (b) the UK returned to his Department in unused discretionary housing payment funding in 2013-14.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3910", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guto Bebb"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aberconwy"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Guto Bebb"}
], "uin" : "221891"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100914", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100914/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " My response relates to Work Capability Assessments.<\/p> <\/p> The reasons for making special payments are not routinely recorded and to provide the requested information would incur disproportionate cost.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> We are continuing to work closely with Atos under the current contract and process claims as quickly as possible. DWP\u2019s aim is to continually improve the Work Capability Assessment process and help bring down waiting times for claimants.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1520", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Harper"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Forest of Dean"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Harper"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T14:44:47.2273429Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations"}
, "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 payments were made in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 in compensation for delays to claimants arising from the Atos assessment process (a) nationwide and (b) in the Stoke-on-Trent area; what steps he is taking to ensure that no further such delays are incurred; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/286", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Joan Walley"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stoke-on-Trent North"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Joan Walley"}
], "uin" : "211896"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100915", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100915/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department has no plans to review the way the Shared Accommodation Rates are calculated. The Rent Officer Services set the rates in line with the current DWP policy for uprating Local Housing Allowance and with reference to evidence of achieved rents in the local area.<\/p> <\/p> In 2014/15, 56 out of the 192 Shared Accommodation Rates have been increased by 4% in those areas where there is the greatest divergence between LHA rates and local rents.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/220", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Webb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Thornbury and Yate"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Steve Webb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-30T15:58:12.5485815Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing Benefit"}
, "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 initiate a review of the operation of the shared accommodation rate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4022", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Oliver Colvile"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Oliver Colvile"}
], "uin" : "221887"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100916", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100916/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been designed to take full account of fluctuating conditions and healthcare professionals who undertake assessments are required to fully explore and report any fluctuations in a claimant\u2019s condition(s).<\/p> <\/p> If a claimant has a progressive medical condition, healthcare professionals will take this into consideration when advising the Department as to when the claimant might need to be reviewed.<\/p> <\/p> Entitlement to both ESA and PIP is based on the impact of the claimant\u2019s disability or health conditions.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1520", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Harper"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Forest of Dean"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Harper"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T14:56:59.9874724Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Disability"}
, "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 he has made of the adequacy of the support available for people with progressive conditions; and to what extent the assessment process for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments takes into account the fluctuating and progressive nature of conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kerry McCarthy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kerry McCarthy"}
], "uin" : "211882"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100917", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100917/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> All healthcare professionals who carry out either Work Capability Assessments or Personal Independence Payment assessments undergo broad and thorough training in disability analysis, as well as training in specific conditions, including progressive conditions. Atos Healthcare and Capita are required to conform to a rigorous set of quality and recruitment standards which are closely monitored by the Department for Work and Pensions.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1520", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Harper"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Forest of Dean"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Harper"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-29T15:04:11.1201719Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Disability"}
, "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 training his Department makes available to staff who assess people with progressive health conditions for employment and support allowance or personal independence payment on the nature of those conditions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kerry McCarthy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kerry McCarthy"}
], "uin" : "211883"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100918", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100918/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department uses a broad range of Management Information to monitor processing of benefit claims including, for example, the percentage of claims processed within defined timescales and the average time for claims to be processed, with different metrics being used for different benefits. Further information on activities to manage timeliness of payments, and some examples of the metrics used for specific benefits, is available via the Departmental Improvement Plan and the Annual Report and Accounts, both of which are publicly accessible via the gov.uk website.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> DIP https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-departmental-improvement-plan-2014<\/a><\/p> <\/p>