Department for Work and Pensions<p>The only fines that can be imposed relating to child maintenance are as a result of criminal prosecution for failure to provide information or providing false information for the purposes of calculating the child maintenance liability. These fines are imposed by a court, information about fines is not recorded by my Department for management information purposes, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Within child maintenance enforcement, “sanctions” generally refers to powers used as a last resort, when other enforcement actions have not resulted in successful collection of arrears.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>DWP publish information on enforcement actions.</p><p> </p><p>Information on both civil and criminal enforcement actions undertaken by the Child Support Agency (CSA) is only available from April 2007. This can be found in Table 22 of the latest CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics, available at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-support-agency-quarterly-summary-of-statistics-march-2017" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-support-agency-quarterly-summary-of-statistics-march-2017</a> . This includes information on a variety of enforcement actions, including commitment to prison and disqualification from driving (in the Committals section), along with information on the number of prosecutions that have been undertaken.</p><p> </p><p>Information on civil and criminal enforcement action undertaken by the Child Maintenance Service is published on Table 16 of the Child Maintenance Service Experimental Statistics, which contains data between September 2015 and March 2017. The publication can be accessed online at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/2012-statutory-child-maintenance-scheme-aug-2013-to-mar-2017-experimental" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/2012-statutory-child-maintenance-scheme-aug-2013-to-mar-2017-experimental</a> . These statistics do not include detail on the different types of enforcement action, so do not include the number of sanction actions taken.</p>GosportCaroline Dinenage2017-06-27false2017-06-27T09:55:29.577Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2017-06-22Children: Maintenance1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, (a) how many and (b) what level of fines have been levied against husbands or partners who avoided paying child maintenance in each year since the introduction of the Child Support Act 1991; and what other sanctions have been imposed on people in that period.falseMakerfieldYvonne Fovargue708Department for Work and Pensions<p>Of the eligible Universal Credit Full Service claims due a payment in October 2018 (990,000 claims – rounded to the nearest 10,000):</p><ul><li>11,000 (rounded to the nearest 1,000) were repaying advances at 40% of their Standard Allowance. This is 1% of eligible claims and 3% of claims that were repaying an advance.</li><li>4,000 (rounded to the nearest 1,000) were repaying advances at 30% of their Standard Allowance. This is less than 0.5% of eligible claims and 1% of claims that were repaying an advance.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The claim count figures in this text will not match the official statistics due to methodological differences.</p><p> </p><p>At Autumn Budget 2018 we announced that from October 2019, we will reduce the maximum rate at which deductions can be made from a Universal Credit award from 40% to 30% of the standard allowance. The total saving for claimants is £25 million in 2019/20, increasing to £65 million in 2023/24.</p><p> </p><p>This is detailed in Table 1.8 in the Budget 2018 which can be accessed at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2018-documents/budget-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2018-documents/budget-2018</a></p><p> </p><p>This will ensure that those on Universal Credit are supported to repay debts in a more sustainable and manageable way. Additionally, from October 2021, the government will also increase the period over which advances will be recovered, from 12 to 16 months.</p><p> </p>Reading WestAlok Sharma2018-12-20false2018-12-20T15:51:24.007Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2018-12-12Universal Credit1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had deductions from their universal credit of (a) 40 per cent and (b) 30 per cent for the repayment of advances on that benefit.falseMakerfieldYvonne Fovargue201678Department for Work and Pensions<p>The Department does not have access to data outlining third party deductions by deduction type. As such, to provide this data would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>Reading WestAlok Sharma2018-12-20201680false2018-12-20T15:29:53.333Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2018-12-12Universal Credit1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had deductions from their universal credit of (a) 20 per cent for a single debt as a result of (i) a utility company bill, (ii) council tax arrears and (iii) other liabilities and (b) 30 per cent for two such debts.falseMakerfieldYvonne Fovargue201679Department for Work and Pensions<p>The Department does not have access to data outlining third party deductions by deduction type. As such, to provide this data would incur disproportionate cost.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>Reading WestAlok Sharma2018-12-20201679false2018-12-20T15:29:53.38Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2018-12-12Universal Credit1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had more than 40 per cent deducted from their universal credit payment to repay a combination of (a) advance payments of that benefit and (b)(i) utility debts and (ii) council tax arrears.falseMakerfieldYvonne Fovargue201680Department for Work and Pensions<p>In March 2018, the 20-year contract covering the majority of DWPs current estate of over 900 sites came to an end. This presented an opportunity to re-evaluate what we needed from our estate. The increased use of our online services in recent years, coupled with reductions in unemployment and improved efficiency, meant that 20% of the rent being paid by DWP was going toward space we were not using.</p><p> </p><p>Given this, it is right that we reconfigure our Jobcentre estate and make the jobcentres fit for the 21st century. This is not about reducing services, but about taking the opportunity to stop spending money on empty space so we can spend more on supporting those in need.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>On 5 July 2017, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that some smaller jobcentres would merge with larger ones, and others would be co-located in local government premises. Merging our staff and services from some smaller or underutilised jobcentres, into larger jobcentres nearby, makes better use of space and reduces costs to the taxpayer while still maintaining the same excellent level of customer service.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to retaining a jobcentre network and continuing to serve people in all areas of the UK to make sure they can continue to access the tailored services they need.</p><p> </p><p>The attached list contains the information requested.</p>Reading WestAlok SharmaAcrobat Document.pdfJobcentre Closures2018-06-04false2018-06-04T15:43:54.64Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2018-05-23Jobcentres: Closures1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job centres have closed in each constituency in each year between 2010 and 2018.falseNormanton, Pontefract and CastlefordYvette Cooper147339Department for Work and Pensions<p>The Department is currently working on the literature review and a release date is yet to be determined.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p />ColchesterWill Quince2019-10-01false2019-10-01T13:47:23.197Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2019-09-26Food Banks1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to publish its report into the factors driving the use of food banks.falseNormanton, Pontefract and CastlefordYvette Cooper291234Department for Work and Pensions<p>Staff and service delivery have, where possible, been relocated to alternative DWP buildings or partner organisation’s buildings in order to maintain delivery of services to customers. Since 1<sup>st</sup> February 2010 through to 3<sup>rd</sup> October 2019, 219 buildings through which Jobcentre Plus services were delivered have been closed. On occasions jobcentres were closed to merge with other, bigger jobcentres or to accommodate co-location needs.</p><p> </p><p>Our DWP estate announcement on 5 July 2017 confirmed that some smaller jobcentres would merge with larger ones, and others would be co-located in local government premises. Merging our staff and services from some smaller or underutilised jobcentres, into larger jobcentres nearby, makes better use of space and reduces costs to the taxpayer while still maintaining the same excellent level of customer service.</p><p> </p><p>This has enabled the Department to offer a more efficient service, while delivering good value for the taxpayer.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to retaining a Jobcentre Plus network and continuing to serve throughout GB to make sure they can continue to access the Jobcentre Plus services they need.</p>EastleighMims Davies2019-10-08false2019-10-08T10:34:19.677Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2019-09-30Jobcentres: Closures1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job centres have closed in each constituency in each year between 2010 and the most recent year for which figures are available.falseNormanton, Pontefract and CastlefordYvette Cooper292104Department for Work and Pensions<p /> <p /> <p>We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.</p><p>As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.</p><p>Whilst there are no statutory (legal) requirements to complete action on a claim to PIP within a specified time, we have set both personal independence payment assessment providers a target for the length of time to complete assessments of 30 working days.</p><p>Any delays experienced in the new claims process will not affect the date from which claimants are paid; all successful claims will be paid from the date the claim was initially made or the date the qualifying period is met, whichever is the later.</p><p>As for the administration of all benefits, a claimant is free to complain about the service they have received from the Department for Work and Pensions. Complaints about the service received from our assessment providers should be made direct to the relevant assessment provider. A complaint may result in a special payment if the claimant has experienced unfair treatment or suffered financially.</p><p>The Department has robust expectations for provider performance and contracts include a full set of service level agreements setting out expectations for service delivery, including quality of assessments and the number of days to provide advice to the Department. Officials meet regularly with both assessment providers to discuss performance. The contracts include a range of remedies and failure to meet contractual obligations will result in the Department applying service credits in line with the contract.</p>Hemel HempsteadMike Penning2014-04-08194642194643194644194645false2014-04-08T12:00:00.00Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2014-04-011House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to penalise companies who have failed to carry out medical assessments for personal independence payments in a timely manner.falseBolton South EastYasmin Qureshi194646Department for Work and Pensions<p /> <p /> <p>We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.</p><p>As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.</p><p>Whilst there are no statutory (legal) requirements to complete action on a claim to PIP within a specified time, we have set both personal independence payment assessment providers a target for the length of time to complete assessments of 30 working days.</p><p>Any delays experienced in the new claims process will not affect the date from which claimants are paid; all successful claims will be paid from the date the claim was initially made or the date the qualifying period is met, whichever is the later.</p><p>As for the administration of all benefits, a claimant is free to complain about the service they have received from the Department for Work and Pensions. Complaints about the service received from our assessment providers should be made direct to the relevant assessment provider. A complaint may result in a special payment if the claimant has experienced unfair treatment or suffered financially.</p><p>The Department has robust expectations for provider performance and contracts include a full set of service level agreements setting out expectations for service delivery, including quality of assessments and the number of days to provide advice to the Department. Officials meet regularly with both assessment providers to discuss performance. The contracts include a range of remedies and failure to meet contractual obligations will result in the Department applying service credits in line with the contract.</p>Hemel HempsteadMike Penning2014-04-08194642194643194644194646false2014-04-08T12:00:00.00Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2014-04-011House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what compensation is available to those suffering financial hardship as a result of failure to carry out assessments for personal independence payments in a timely manner.falseBolton South EastYasmin Qureshi194645Department for Work and Pensions<p /> <p /> <p>We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April 2013, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.</p><p>As personal independence payment (PIP) is a new benefit, processes are currently bedding in. Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.</p><p>Whilst there are no statutory (legal) requirements to complete action on a claim to PIP within a specified time, we have set both personal independence payment assessment providers a target for the length of time to complete assessments of 30 working days.</p><p>Any delays experienced in the new claims process will not affect the date from which claimants are paid; all successful claims will be paid from the date the claim was initially made or the date the qualifying period is met, whichever is the later.</p><p>As for the administration of all benefits, a claimant is free to complain about the service they have received from the Department for Work and Pensions. Complaints about the service received from our assessment providers should be made direct to the relevant assessment provider. A complaint may result in a special payment if the claimant has experienced unfair treatment or suffered financially.</p><p>The Department has robust expectations for provider performance and contracts include a full set of service level agreements setting out expectations for service delivery, including quality of assessments and the number of days to provide advice to the Department. Officials meet regularly with both assessment providers to discuss performance. The contracts include a range of remedies and failure to meet contractual obligations will result in the Department applying service credits in line with the contract.</p>Hemel HempsteadMike Penning2014-04-08194643194644194645194646false2014-04-08T12:00:00.00Z29Work and PensionsWork and Pensions2014-04-011House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the reasons for backlogs of medical assessments for personal independence payments.falseBolton South EastYasmin Qureshi194642100116648