{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&_metadata=all&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986416", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986416/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

All Health Professionals employed by Independent Assessment Services receive mandatory training on a wide range of conditions including autism as part of their initial new entrant training, delivered by the provider. This includes detailed e-learning and classroom based training modules covering all aspects of autism including Asperger\u2019s Syndrome. In addition, simulated assessments enable Health Professionals to understand how these conditions impact on a person\u2019s ability to undertake the activities in the PIP assessment. This is followed by on-going professional training and support which continues for the duration of their employment in the role.<\/p>

<\/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" : "2018-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-17T16:35:51.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Independent Assessment Services: Training"} , "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 training of Independent Assessment Services' health professionals on Asperger\u2019s and autism spectrum disorder, (a) who provides the training, (b) how many and what proportion of those health professionals have received that training; (c) how long the the training period is; (d) what the training consist of and (e) whether that training is compulsory for all health professionals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "178514"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986417", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986417/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

I have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, including those representing individuals with Asperger\u2019s Syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorders to discuss benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).<\/p>

<\/p>

For example, in regards to ESA, the Department has engaged with the National Autistic Society (NAS) on numerous occasions during the development of the Severe Conditions reassessment criteria. NAS are also a member of the Centre for Health and Disability Assessment\u2019s (CHDA) Customer Relations Group and quality assures relevant training and guidance for CHDA\u2019s Healthcare Professionals who undertake Work Capability Assessments.<\/p>

<\/p>

With regards to PIP, we regularly engage with stakeholders and one of the main avenues is through the PIP Forum events. Autism Network Scotland were invited to the most recent PIP Forum event in Scotland and NAS have been invited to attend the forthcoming PIP Forum event in England.<\/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" : "2018-10-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-17T16:31:02.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Autism"} , "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 discussions her Department has had with Asperger's and autism spectrum disorder organisations on (a) assessments for and (b) decisions on (i) personal independence payments and (ii) employment and support allowance claims.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "178515"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986433", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986433/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

If the audit process or the Case Manager identify that the report is of unacceptable quality it is returned to the assessment provider for a review. The review takes into account all the evidence provided and a further assessment report is then completed and returned to DWP. It is DWP policy to provide only the latest copy of the assessment report to claimants upon request, as this supersedes any previous report and is the report used by the Case Manager to make the decision.<\/p>

<\/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" : "2018-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/986433/answer/previousversion/79253", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-18T14:15:05.793Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-12", "_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, with reference to Independent Assessment Service (IAS) reports that have been audited and amended, whether it is her Department's policy to provide the (a) original and (b) amended IAS reports to claimants who request a copy of the IAS report on their assessment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "178516"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/982640", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/982640/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The principle provider of care for the purpose of child maintenance is the person who has the main day to day care of the child. This person is referred to as the Receiving Parent as they are entitled to receive child maintenance. The Child Maintenance Service will primarily determine who the Receiving Parent is based on eligibility for Child Benefit.<\/p>

<\/p>

Where day to day care is equally shared neither parent is required to pay child maintenance.<\/p>

<\/p>

Child maintenance payments are reduced to take account of the cost of overnight care provided by the parent who pays maintenance. The proportion of the reduction is based on the average number of nights a child stays with the other parent, up to a maximum reduction of 50%.<\/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" : "2018-10-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-11T09:48:46.907Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Maintenance"} , "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, pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2018 to Question 169510 on Children: Maintenance; what criteria is used to decide the (a) principal provider of care and (b) proportion of the associated costs of day to day care when that care is shared.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "176386"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983280", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983280/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Please find attached numbers as requested. The numbers below relate to audits undertaken in order for the department to measure contractual quality service levels. The providers also conduct internal auditing to assure quality and these figures are not included.<\/p>

<\/p>

With effect from 12 June 2017 Atos Healthcare changed the business name they use for PIP work from Atos to Independent Assessment Services (IAS). The number of IAS PIP assessments randomly audited is available from the commencement of the independent audit process in June 16.<\/p>

<\/p>

-<\/p><\/td>

from June 2016<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

2017<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

2018 to August<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

IAS<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

6864<\/p><\/td>

11585<\/p><\/td>

7833<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

DWP Independent Audit MI<\/p>

<\/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" : "2018-10-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-11T14:28:45.947Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment"} , "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 Atos personal independence payment assessments have been randomly audited in each year for which information is available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "176387"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983348", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983348/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Please find attached numbers as requested. We\u2019ve interpreted the request as audits for all WCA and PIP assessments given that the request is a) ESA b) personal. The numbers below relate to audits undertaken in order for the department to measure contractual quality service levels. The providers also conduct internal auditing to assure quality and these figures are not included.<\/p>

<\/strong><\/p>

The number of health assessments randomly audited is available from the commencement of the independent audit process. This was from March 15 for WCA audits (which include ESA, UC and IBR) and from June 16 for PIP audits.<\/p>

<\/p>

-<\/p><\/td>

From March 2015<\/p><\/td>

2016<\/p><\/td>

2017<\/p><\/td>

2018 to August<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

WCA<\/p><\/td>

7185<\/p><\/td>

8590<\/p><\/td>

8647<\/p><\/td>

5423<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

DWP Independent Audit MI<\/p>

<\/p>

-<\/p><\/td>

from June2016<\/p><\/td>

2017<\/p><\/td>

2018 to August<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

PIP<\/p><\/td>

10289<\/p><\/td>

17285<\/p><\/td>

11705<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

DWP Independent Audit MI<\/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" : "2018-10-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-11T14:33:58.12Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_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, how many audits on health assessments have been undertaken for (a) employment support allowance and (b) personal independence payments in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "176388"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983349", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983349/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

All Healthcare Professionals are subject to on-going audit by our assessment providers to ensure that they deliver high quality assessments. The Department also undertakes independent audit to ensure that the advice provided to the Department\u2019s decision makers is of suitable quality, fully explained and justified.<\/p>

<\/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" : "2018-10-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-11T14:17:01.95Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_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 assessment she has made of the adequacy of the independence of audits carried out on health (a) assessments and (b) reports undertaken on claimants of (i) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "176389"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983351", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/983351/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Independent Audit is conducted by the Department and is one of the tools to measure quality for performance management purposes. It is primarily used as a mechanism to determine quality performance against contractual requirements and also provides feedback to the Providers on the quality of audited reports.<\/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" : "2018-10-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-11T14:12:59.823Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-08", "_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, which organisations are responsible for the independent audits on health (a) assessments and (b) reports on claimants of employment support allowance and personal independence payments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "176390"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/964079", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/964079/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

HMPPS takes very seriously the health and safety of all staff working within prisons.<\/p>

The Normal Pension Age (NPA) under the Civil Service pension scheme is linked to the individual member\u2019s State Pension Age (SPA) and ranges from 65 to 68, based on their date of birth.<\/p>

There are many factors which determine a person\u2019s ability to pass a fitness test which could not be determined by their age alone.<\/p>

Since 2007, when the NPA changed for new entrants to 65 under a Career Average Pension, HMPPS has been recruiting new Prison Officers in England and Wales in their sixties who have passed the fitness test and are performing their roles effectively. In addition, many staff who have the right to retire at 60 choose to work beyond their retirement age.<\/p>

To become a Prison Officer you must pass a Recruitment Assessment Day (RAD) which consists of literacy and numeracy tests, situational judgment tests and physical and medical tests. These determine your suitability for the role and do not take into account a candidate\u2019s age or gender. There are 4 elements of the fitness test including: grip, agility, bleep and holding a shield. All of these elements need to be passed for the candidate to pass the fitness part of the RAD.<\/p>

All Prison Officers who joined the service after April 2001 must pass an annual fitness test in order to remain a prison officer. Staff who do not meet the annual fitness test standard will be provided with advice and support by a fitness assessor on achieving and maintaining the required fitness level.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4137", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rory Stewart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penrith and The Border"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rory Stewart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "169901"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-09-06T16:14:02.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prison Officers: Older Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the ability of frontline prison staff to work in an operational role when they are over the age of 60.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "169900"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/964080", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/964080/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

HMPPS takes very seriously the health and safety of all staff working within prisons.<\/p>

The Normal Pension Age (NPA) under the Civil Service pension scheme is linked to the individual member\u2019s State Pension Age (SPA) and ranges from 65 to 68, based on their date of birth.<\/p>

There are many factors which determine a person\u2019s ability to pass a fitness test which could not be determined by their age alone.<\/p>

Since 2007, when the NPA changed for new entrants to 65 under a Career Average Pension, HMPPS has been recruiting new Prison Officers in England and Wales in their sixties who have passed the fitness test and are performing their roles effectively. In addition, many staff who have the right to retire at 60 choose to work beyond their retirement age.<\/p>

To become a Prison Officer you must pass a Recruitment Assessment Day (RAD) which consists of literacy and numeracy tests, situational judgment tests and physical and medical tests. These determine your suitability for the role and do not take into account a candidate\u2019s age or gender. There are 4 elements of the fitness test including: grip, agility, bleep and holding a shield. All of these elements need to be passed for the candidate to pass the fitness part of the RAD.<\/p>

All Prison Officers who joined the service after April 2001 must pass an annual fitness test in order to remain a prison officer. Staff who do not meet the annual fitness test standard will be provided with advice and support by a fitness assessor on achieving and maintaining the required fitness level.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4137", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rory Stewart"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penrith and The Border"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rory Stewart"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "169900"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-09-06T16:14:02.667Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-09-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prison Officers: Older Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the ability of people over the age of 55 to pass the fitness test required to be a frontline member of the prison service.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4440", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Marion Fellows"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Motherwell and Wishaw"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Marion Fellows"} ], "uin" : "169901"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&max-ddpModified.=2018-10-17T17%3A07%3A02.573Z&min-ddpModified=2015-02-08T15%3A34%3A16.043Z&tablingMemberConstituency=Motherwell+and+Wishaw&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2019-04-09T10%3A38%3A24.183Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 102, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }