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758588

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Housing: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reduction in the benefit cap on housing availability for victims with children under two who have fled abusive partners and who are currently (1) residing in a refuge, and (2) residing in other forms of temporary accommodation.
tabling member printed	Baroness Gale
uin	HL1459
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>People who are subject to the benefit cap still receive benefits that are equivalent of gross family earnings of £25K, and £29K in London. If this is not enough money to secure a tenancy, the claimant can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) which can be given in advance to help secure a property. The DHP guidance explicitly states that funding should be aimed at individuals or families fleeing domestic violence.</p><p>We have commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out some research into the new lower, tiered Benefit Cap and we are working with the Institute for Fiscal Studies to peer review in-house analysis on the impacts of the lower benefit cap on capped households. It is expected that a full evaluation report will be produced around the end of 2018.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL1460 question first answered 19/09/2017 15:39:57 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2503 label Biography information for Baroness Gale

758589

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Housing: Domestic Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to assess the impact of the lower benefit cap on the length of a victim’s stay in a domestic abuse refuge, and the resulting cost to the taxpayer.
tabling member printed	Baroness Gale
uin	HL1460
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2017 answer text <p>People who are subject to the benefit cap still receive benefits that are equivalent of gross family earnings of £25K, and £29K in London. If this is not enough money to secure a tenancy, the claimant can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) which can be given in advance to help secure a property. The DHP guidance explicitly states that funding should be aimed at individuals or families fleeing domestic violence.</p><p>We have commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out some research into the new lower, tiered Benefit Cap and we are working with the Institute for Fiscal Studies to peer review in-house analysis on the impacts of the lower benefit cap on capped households. It is expected that a full evaluation report will be produced around the end of 2018.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe grouped question UIN HL1459 question first answered 19/09/2017 15:39:57 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
tabling member	2503 label Biography information for Baroness Gale

758769

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Cancer
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial support the Government provides to people who have terminal cancer and their families.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	9396
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2017 answer text <p>Children and young people with serious or critical illnesses such as cancer are able to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if they are aged under 16 or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if aged 16 and above. DLA and PIP are tax free allowances, which are designed to contribute to the extra costs incurred as a result of long-term health conditions and/or disabilities. Children and young people in receipt of DLA or PIP can receive up to £141.10 a week. Entitlement to DLA and PIP depends on the effects that severe disability has on a person’s life and not on a particular disability or diagnosis. This is because people living with the same illnesses or disabilities may not necessarily have the same care or mobility needs.</p><p> </p><p>Special considerations do however apply to children and adults who are terminally ill, and our arrangements recognise the particular difficulties faced by people who have only a short time to live. Their claims are fast-tracked and they are awarded the highest rate of the care component of DLA and the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP automatically without having to complete a qualifying period. This means that, if they claim straight away, they can get benefit as soon as they have been diagnosed as being terminally ill. The arrangements ensure that claims are dealt with quickly and sensitively. The legislation defines a person as terminally ill if ‘he suffers from a progressive disease and his death can reasonably be expected within six months’.</p><p> </p><p>People over the age of 16 who are unable to work due to an illness or disability can claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) which has both a contributory strand accessible via a National Insurance contribution test and an income-related strand accessible via an income test. For cancer sufferers, a light touch evidence gathering process exists, to help determine eligibility. There is also a presumption that claimants receiving or recovering from cancer treatment will be placed in the Support Group which could entitle them to up to £109.65 per week, subject to suitable evidence from a healthcare professional such as a GP or oncologist.</p><p> </p><p>Carers may also be able to qualify for Carer’s Allowance, which is currently £62.70 a week if they meet the eligibility criteria.</p><p> </p><p>Trudi Hills, our Sector champion for banking, has been working with Macmillan to improve how the banking industry supports people when they receive a cancer diagnosis</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt grouped question UIN 9397 9398 question first answered 18/09/2017 15:41:29 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

758858

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Females
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the evidential basis is for the projected increase in longevity for women affected by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	9304
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2017 answer text <p>The evidential basis for the projected increase in longevity for women affected by the Pensions Act 2011 is summarised in the Pensions Act 2011 impact assessment:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181462/pensions-bill-2011-ia-annexa.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181462/pensions-bill-2011-ia-annexa.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>Paragraphs 3 to 6 of the impact assessment illustrate the latest cohort life expectancies for the UK population, from the 2010-based principle population projections, which were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A comparison is made with cohort life expectancies from the 2004-based principle population projections published by the Government Actuary’s Department, which were used to inform the Pensions Act 2007. The impact assessment showed that, compared with the 2004-based projections, life expectancy at state pension age in 2010 had increased by 1 year for males and by 1.3 years for females.</p><p> </p><p>The 1991 discussion paper “Options for equality in State Pension age” and the 1993 White Paper “Equality in State Pension age”, which informed the Pensions Act 1995, used previous life expectancy projections from the Government Actuary’s Department.</p><p> </p><p>Life expectancy is projected to continue to increase in future years (according to the latest 2014-based projections from the ONS). In forty years’ time, in 2057, average life expectancy at age 65 is projected to be over 4 years higher than it is now. By 2064 (the end of the current projection period) a baby girl will be expected to live to almost 100 (99.8 years).</p><p> </p><p>These life expectancy projections were an important input into the government’s review of State Pension age which was published in July of this year. As part of the review, government commissioned an independent report, led by John Cridland CBE, and a report from the Government Actuary. Both reports drew extensively on the life expectancy projections from the ONS.</p><p> </p><p>The next set of life expectancy projections from the ONS are due out later this year and every two years thereafter. The regular State Pension age reviews, at least every six years, will provide a structured framework for the Government to respond to any changes in the projections in the longer term.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/09/2017 16:14:05 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

758859

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Females
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support the Government is offering to women affected by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 to stay in work to a later age; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	9305
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2017 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting people aged 50 years and over to remain in and return to work. The number of older women in work is now at a record high: there are around 1 million more women aged 50+ in work than in 2010.</p><p> </p><p>Government has reformed legislation to create the right framework to support Fuller Working Lives. We have removed the Default Retirement Age, meaning it is now unlawful to dismiss someone just because they reach age 65.</p><p>We have also extended the right to request flexible working beyond those with caring needs, meaning people can discuss with their employers options for allowing choice about how and when they retire. And we have introduced pensions freedoms, to allow people aged 55 and over greater freedom and choice in how and when they access their pension savings.</p><p> </p><p>On 2 February 2017 we published Fuller Working Lives: A Partnership Approach, which aims to increase the retention, retraining and recruitment of older workers by bringing about a change in the perceptions &amp; attitudes of employers, and to challenge views of working in later life and retirement amongst individuals. The Strategy and supporting evidence base are available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuller-working-lives-a-partnership-approach" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuller-working-lives-a-partnership-approach</a>.</p><p> </p><p>We have also appointed a Business Champion for Older Workers, Andy Briggs, supported by a team of employers at Business In The Community, to support employers in retaining, retraining and recruiting older workers. In February 2017, the team launched a target to gain one million more older people in work by 2022, asking employers to commit to a pledge to publish their workforce data by age. Their report setting out their achievements to date was published on 07 September 2017 and can be viewed at <a href="https://age.bitc.org.uk/issues/BusinessChampion/govreport" target="_blank">https://age.bitc.org.uk/issues/BusinessChampion/govreport</a>.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 12/09/2017 13:31:54 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

758860

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made on reviewing disabled people's access and amending regulations where necessary to improve disabled access to licensed premises, parking and housing.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	9306
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2017 answer text <p>Government is concerned about issues raised in relation to access and inclusion of disabled people and the problems with ensuring businesses and service providers comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010. We are keen to remove the barriers that some disabled people face so they can take a full part in their communities; socialise with their friends; and live where they want to.</p><p> </p><p>Too many licensed premises are still difficult for disabled people to access. The House of Lords Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2003 published its report in April 2017 and recommended that the 2003 Act should be amended to require that an application for a premises licence is accompanied by a disabled access and facilities statement. The Government will respond to the recommendation made by the Lords Select Committee in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The government is currently examining how the Blue Badge scheme works in practice for people with non-physical disabilities in order to ensure the rules and guidance are clear for both local authorities and citizens and to improve the way the scheme is administered across the country.</p><p> </p><p>The Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 introduced statutory obligations on the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to provide guidance on housing to meet the needs for older and disabled people, and we are in the process of developing that additional guidance in consultation with the sector and other interested parties. We have commissioned research into Part M of the Building Regulations and are considering the results of that research in order to determine whether there is a need to review current Building Regulation guidance.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to the actions above, I am also working more widely to improve access for disabled people. Earlier this year I appointed eleven Sector Champions, leaders in their particular sectors, to champion accessibility for disabled people as consumers. Sectors covered include, retail, transport, hotels, banking and tourism. My officials are also working with those in DCLG and with the Changing Places Consortium to ensure that, when the opportunity arises Building Regulations will include provisions for fully accessible toilets. There are currently 1033 Changing Paces facilities in the UK</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 18/09/2017 15:33:16 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

758861

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made on working with providers of (a) energy, (b) telecoms and (c) other essential services on reducing the extra costs that disability can incur.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	9307
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/09/2017 answer text <p>A Social Tariff is provided by BT (and KCom in Hull) in relation to telecommunications for those on particular benefits including disabled people.</p><p> </p><p>With regard to energy, a cap on the prices energy suppliers can charge customers on pre-payment meters, many of whom are disabled people and/or on low incomes, came into effect on 1 April 2017. The price cap covers around 4.5m households, saving many dual fuel customers £70 a year</p><p> </p><p>In addition, my colleague the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has written to Ofgem asking the regulator to advise what action it intends to take to safeguard customers on the poorest value tariffs. Ofgem is committed to helping the more disadvantaged in society and has launched work on measures to protect and empower vulnerable energy consumers. This work includes considering extending the current safeguard tariff in place for consumers on pre-payment meters.</p><p> </p><p>To support disabled and other people when asking work coaches in Jobcentres for advice on budgeting and saving money, DWP has prepared ‘Need help managing your money?’ a factsheet which has a section on household bills. It explains you should get in touch with your supplier if you’re having difficulty paying bills or to find out if they offer a cheaper tariff. It signposts to the Money Advice Service for further information on how to save money on household bills, including switching supplier. The factsheet also covers budgeting information, basic bank accounts and the basic phone and broadband packages mentioned above.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 20/09/2017 11:00:31 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

758862

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government plans to support one million more people with disabilities into employment over the next 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	9308
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2017 answer text <p>The Government is committed to improving employment outcomes for disabled people. The manifesto commitment underpins this with a clear and time-bound goal - to see 1 million more disabled people into work over the next 10 years.</p><p> </p><p>We know that there is much more that needs to be done, so that everyone who can work is given the right support and opportunities to do so.</p><p> </p><p>That is why we published <em>Improving Lives; the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper</em>, which set out the action we plan to take and consulted on proposals for wider reform. We will respond to the consultation and set out our plans in due course.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 18/09/2017 14:08:55 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

758863

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Employment Services: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made on bringing forward legislative proposals to give unemployed disabled claimants personalised and tailored employment support.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	9309
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2017 answer text <p>We rolled out the Personal Support Package (PSP) from April 2017 for people with health conditions, including a £330m package to deliver a broad range of employment and health support for new ESA Work Related Activity Group and UC Limited Capability for Work claimants. This also includes an expansion of the national employment support provision.</p><p> </p><p>We have additionally recruited 300 new Disability Employment Advisers, assigned an additional £15 million to the Flexible Support Fund, made changes to the permitted work rules, and almost completed the roll out of the Health and Work Conversation. This is in line with our ambition to provide a support system which can be personalised and tailored to the needs of the individual.</p><p> </p><p>Moreover, we consulted on a range of proposals in the Green Paper, <em>Improving Lives</em>, and we are carefully considering how to take these forward in consultation with a range of stakeholders.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 18/09/2017 13:58:09 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

758864

registered interest
date	07/09/2017
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Department for Work and Pensions: Domestic Visits
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many visits ministers of his Department have made to (a) food banks, (b) summer holiday lunch clubs and (c) credit unions since 1 June 2017; and if he will publish the dates and locations of those visits.
tabling member constituency	Preston
tabling member printed	Mr Mark Hendrick
uin	9328
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2017 answer text <p>The following Ministers have visited a food bank since their appointment.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions visited Dacorum food bank on 7 July 2017.</p><p> </p><p>The Minister of State for Employment visited Alton food bank on 21 July 2017.</p><p> </p><p>The Minister of State for Disabled People, Health &amp; Work, visited Paulsgrove School Holiday Lunch Club on 23 August 2017. She met with the Trussell Trust on 10 July 2017 at DWP’s London HQ and with Helping Hands Homelessness Charity on 1 September 2017 in Portsmouth.</p><p> </p><p>The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Pensions and Financial Inclusion visited West Northumberland food bank on 31 August 2017, East London Credit Union on 24 July 2017 in Walthamstow. He also visited Tynedale Community Bank Drop In Centre (a Credit Union) at Hexham Abbey.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 15/09/2017 12:24:23 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	473 label Biography information for Sir Mark Hendrick