{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08&_metadata=all", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1088520", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1088520/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Access to Work is in the process of transforming its digital processes, from application through to payment. We do not yet have a timetable for completion of this work. We are currently evaluating a range of digital options for Access to Work claim form and receipt/invoice submissions and we will be able to develop delivery timetables for that aspect of the transformation once this analysis has been completed.<\/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" : "2019-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-19T11:44:20.433Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Access to Work Programme"} , "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 deadline is to implement the new online system to submit Access to Work signed claim forms with invoices.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "231984"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027291", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027291/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Department for Education data shows that since 2013, the number of children in need, children on child protection plans and looked-after children at 31 March have risen by 7.1%, 24.5% and 10.7% respectively. The most common factors that present themselves in children\u2019s social care assessments are domestic abuse and mental health. These have been consistently the top two factors for the years during which we have collected this data. Data on this is available in table C3 of statistical release \u2018Characteristics of children in need 2017 to 2018\u2019 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2017-to-2018<\/a>.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-20T17:21:38.847Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children in Care"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of (a) looked after children, (b) child protection plans and (c) children in need.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "202744"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027293", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027293/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Ministers and officials regularly meet key stakeholders, including Directors of Children\u2019s Services (DCSs), to discuss policy issues relating to the department\u2019s agenda. For example, I recently met with DCSs and Local Authority Chief Executives at the National Children and Adult Services Conference, held roundtables in the department with groups of both DCSs and Chief Executives, and have attended induction events for new DCSs, the last one being in October 2019. In addition, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of the State and I have very recently met with a number of children in care to hear their views and experiences. The department recognises how important it is to speak directly with those who are on the front line, delivering services for children and families.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-20T17:18:11.66Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Social 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 Education, what recent discussions he has had with directors of children\u2019s services on their ability to deliver their statutory duties to children and families.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "202746"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027294", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1027294/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Demand for children\u2019s services is associated with a number of factors including deprivation. The most deprived local authorities have more looked-after children (per 10,000 nought to 17-year-olds), and these rates have grown faster, than the least deprived local authorities.<\/p>

In preparation for the Spending Review, to help ensure decisions are based on the best available evidence, the government is working with the sector to develop a sharper and more granular picture of demand for children\u2019s services.<\/p>

<\/p>

We are also working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the government\u2019s fair funding review of relative needs and resources, where new, up-to-date formulas are being developed to ensure funding distribution to councils is based on the best available evidence.<\/p>

<\/p>

We welcome the contributions from the sector in this area including Newton Europe\u2019s \u2018Making Sense\u2019 (2018) report and the Association of Directors of Children\u2019s Services continuing research reports, \u2018Safeguarding Pressures\u2019 (2018).<\/em><\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4113", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nadhim Zahawi"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nadhim Zahawi"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-20T17:19:36.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Social 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 Education, what assessment his Department has made of the link between deprivation and demand for children\u2019s services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "202747"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/990441", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/990441/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

As part of our commitment to improve the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process we have been progressing options to video record PIP face-to-face assessments. Over the summer we gathered views on video recording from claimants, representative bodies and from Health Professionals in order to inform a live testing pilot later in the year, which will inform wider rollout decisions.<\/p>

<\/p>

Providing they give advance notice, claimants of Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit can already ask for their assessment to be audio recorded and equipment will be provided. Claimants may also use their own equipment provided they meet certain conditions required by DWP.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-24T13:35:56.393Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-18", "_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 plans she has to make audio visual recording facilities available for personal independence payment and employment and support allowance assessments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "181287"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/982685", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/982685/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The draft Regulations have been out for consultation with the Social Security Advisory Committee and we will consider their detailed recommendations alongside all the other stakeholder contributions we receive. We have had, and will continue to have, discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including disability charities, on the regulations and on the wider managed migration process.<\/p>

<\/p>

This extensive consultation with stakeholders is designed to ensure that the regulations accommodate the needs of all claimants. Equality impacts have been considered in developing our plans for managed migration, in line with Ministers\u2019 legal duties. We will continue to consider these impacts as our plans for managed migration develop.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Sharma"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "176237"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-23T15:00:16.923Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: 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, with reference to the draft Universal Credit(Transitional Provisions) (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018, what representations she has received from disability charities on those draft regulations.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "176236"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/982687", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/982687/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The draft Regulations have been out for consultation with the Social Security Advisory Committee and we will consider their detailed recommendations alongside all the other stakeholder contributions we receive. We have had, and will continue to have, discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including disability charities, on the regulations and on the wider managed migration process.<\/p>

<\/p>

This extensive consultation with stakeholders is designed to ensure that the regulations accommodate the needs of all claimants. Equality impacts have been considered in developing our plans for managed migration, in line with Ministers\u2019 legal duties. We will continue to consider these impacts as our plans for managed migration develop.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Sharma"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "176236"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-23T15:00:16.97Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_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, with reference to the draft Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018, what analysis her Department has undertaken to assess the effect of those draft regulations on (a) disabled people, (b) carers and families and (c) Information and advice services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "176237"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/971462", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/971462/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government recognises the need for claimants who are setting up a business to be given time to establish themselves and develop their business and customer base. However, different businesses and individuals will take different periods of time to reach profitability. The intention of the start-up period is to give claimants the breathing space they need to work out how to support themselves while running their business - including identifying other sources of income or investment - while not subsidising claimants indefinitely to pursue unsustainable activities. This strikes a sensible balance between support for new business, not trapping claimants in welfare dependency, and protecting public funds.<\/p>

<\/p>

Extending the start-up period beyond one year could diminish the incentive effect of the Minimum Income Floor (MIF), which is to encourage claimants to grow their earnings, whether through self-employment, combining that with other work, or moving to one of the over 800,000 current job vacancies. It would also add complexity, with no guarantee of better outcomes for either the claimant or the taxpayer. The government therefore has no current plans to reform the MIF or to extend the start-up period for self-employed claimants in Universal Credit.<\/p>

<\/p>

In their January 2018 report, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated the impact of the MIF on the public purse \u2013 their analysis is summarised in their welfare trends report http://obr.uk/wtr/welfare-trends-report-january-2018/<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>

With regards to the estimate of the cost to the public purse of extending the start-up period for recipients of universal credit who are newly self-employed from 12 months to (a) 18 months and (b) 24 months, a formal assessment has not been made.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Sharma"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "172582"} , {"_value" : "172583"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-09-13T16:59:44.173Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: Self-employed"} , "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 she has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of applying the minimum income floor for self-employed claimants of universal credit on an annual basis.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "172581"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/971463", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/971463/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government recognises the need for claimants who are setting up a business to be given time to establish themselves and develop their business and customer base. However, different businesses and individuals will take different periods of time to reach profitability. The intention of the start-up period is to give claimants the breathing space they need to work out how to support themselves while running their business - including identifying other sources of income or investment - while not subsidising claimants indefinitely to pursue unsustainable activities. This strikes a sensible balance between support for new business, not trapping claimants in welfare dependency, and protecting public funds.<\/p>

<\/p>

Extending the start-up period beyond one year could diminish the incentive effect of the Minimum Income Floor (MIF), which is to encourage claimants to grow their earnings, whether through self-employment, combining that with other work, or moving to one of the over 800,000 current job vacancies. It would also add complexity, with no guarantee of better outcomes for either the claimant or the taxpayer. The government therefore has no current plans to reform the MIF or to extend the start-up period for self-employed claimants in Universal Credit.<\/p>

<\/p>

In their January 2018 report, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated the impact of the MIF on the public purse \u2013 their analysis is summarised in their welfare trends report http://obr.uk/wtr/welfare-trends-report-january-2018/<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>

With regards to the estimate of the cost to the public purse of extending the start-up period for recipients of universal credit who are newly self-employed from 12 months to (a) 18 months and (b) 24 months, a formal assessment has not been made.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Sharma"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "172581"} , {"_value" : "172583"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-09-13T16:59:44.11Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: Self-employed"} , "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 she has made of the potential merits of extending the start-up period for recipients of universal credit who are newly self-employed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "172582"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/971464", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/971464/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Government recognises the need for claimants who are setting up a business to be given time to establish themselves and develop their business and customer base. However, different businesses and individuals will take different periods of time to reach profitability. The intention of the start-up period is to give claimants the breathing space they need to work out how to support themselves while running their business - including identifying other sources of income or investment - while not subsidising claimants indefinitely to pursue unsustainable activities. This strikes a sensible balance between support for new business, not trapping claimants in welfare dependency, and protecting public funds.<\/p>

<\/p>

Extending the start-up period beyond one year could diminish the incentive effect of the Minimum Income Floor (MIF), which is to encourage claimants to grow their earnings, whether through self-employment, combining that with other work, or moving to one of the over 800,000 current job vacancies. It would also add complexity, with no guarantee of better outcomes for either the claimant or the taxpayer. The government therefore has no current plans to reform the MIF or to extend the start-up period for self-employed claimants in Universal Credit.<\/p>

<\/p>

In their January 2018 report, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated the impact of the MIF on the public purse \u2013 their analysis is summarised in their welfare trends report http://obr.uk/wtr/welfare-trends-report-january-2018/<\/a><\/p>

<\/p>

With regards to the estimate of the cost to the public purse of extending the start-up period for recipients of universal credit who are newly self-employed from 12 months to (a) 18 months and (b) 24 months, a formal assessment has not been made.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Sharma"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "172581"} , {"_value" : "172582"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-09-13T16:59:44.237Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit: Self-employed"} , "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 she has made an estimate of the cost to the public purse of extending the start-up period for recipients of universal credit who are newly self-employed from 12 months to (a) 18 months and (b) 24 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3968", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Lloyd"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastbourne"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Lloyd"} ], "uin" : "172583"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&max-AnswerDate=2019-03-15&tablingMemberConstituency=Eastbourne&max-dateTabled=2019-05-08", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 179, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }