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1792584

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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	National Insurance Credits: Carers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people eligible for but not claiming Carer's Credit.
	tabling member constituency	Newport East
	tabling member printed	Jessica Morden
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44209
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2025 answer text <p>The Carer’s Credit allows people who provide care for a person on specified disability benefits for at least 20 hours per week to protect their National Insurance records for the purposes of their State Pension.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is unable to estimate the number of people who may meet the eligibility criteria for the Carer’s Credit but do not make a claim. Information on the Carer’s Credit and how to claim for it can be found by searching for “Carer’s Credit” on gov.uk.</p> answering member constituency Swansea West answering member printed Torsten Bell question first answered 10/04/2025 12:55:42 answering member 5069
	tabling member	1548 label Biography information for Jessica Morden

1792618

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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 Schemes: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how her Department plans to allocate the additional funding for supporting young people into work outlined in her Department's Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, published on 18 March 2025.
	tabling member constituency	Lichfield
	tabling member printed	Dave Robertson
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44353
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2025 answer text <p>In the Pathways to Work Green Paper we set out plans to invest £1 billion a year by the end of the decade in new employment, health and skills support – one of the biggest packages of new employment support for sick and disabled people ever – including new tailored support conversations for people on health and disability benefits to break down barriers and unlock work, and more intensive programmes of support with health and work.</p><p>For 18–21-year-olds specifically we set out proposals at point 256 in the Pathways to Work Green Paper to: “[Delay] access to the UC health element [to 22, in order to] remove any potential disincentive to work during this time. Proceeding with this change would be on the basis that resources could be better spent on improving the quality and range of opportunities available to young people through the [Youth] guarantee, so they can sign up to work or training rather than long-term benefits.” Such a change could support the establishment of a distinct and active transition phase for young people, based on learning or earning for all.</p><p>We are consulting on the design options for a work, health and skills support package. The government will actively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including young people with health conditions and disabilities. This consultation is now open and will close on 30th June.</p> answering member constituency Birkenhead answering member printed Alison McGovern question first answered 10/04/2025 12:51:57 answering member 4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern
	tabling member	5126

1792619

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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	National Careers Service
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Get Britain Working White Paper, published on 26 November 2024, what progress her Department has made on the planned pilot of the National Jobs and Careers Service.
	tabling member constituency	Lichfield
	tabling member printed	Dave Robertson
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44354
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2025 answer text <p>The Get Britain Working White Paper set out our vision to reform Jobcentre Plus and create a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers.</p><p>We are taking a test and learn approach to develop the new service ensuring that we develop a service that is locally tailored and embedded, designed to meet the different needs of local labour markets, local people and local employers. We are in the early stages of designing the new service and more details will be shared in due course.</p> answering member constituency Birkenhead answering member printed Alison McGovern question first answered 14/04/2025 15:31:38 answering member 4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern
	tabling member	5126

1792624

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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 Schemes: Carers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to provide specialist employment support for unpaid carers to get into work.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh and Atherton
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44264
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2025 answer text <p>Our Get Britain Working plan aims to reduce economic inactivity levels and take the first steps to delivering our long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunities they need to achieve and thrive, to succeed and flourish. This includes unpaid carers, whereby many of whom are excluded from the labour market due to their caring responsibilities.</p><p> </p><p>Customers providing care for fewer than 35 hours a week receive personalised support through their Work Coach, and their work expectation is tailored to fit caring responsibilities. Support includes identifying skills gaps and referral to skills training, careers advice, job search support, volunteering opportunities and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry. Unemployed customers who require more intensive employment support can also be referred to the Restart programme.</p><p> </p><p>The weekly Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is now pegged to 16 hours work at National Living Wage (NLW) levels and in future it will increase when the NLW increases. The earnings limit increased to be £196 a week (net earnings) on 7 April 2025, compared to £151 in 2024/25. This is the largest ever increase in the earnings limit since Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. This means carers who are receiving the NLW (and have not done overtime or received a bonus) will be able to work for 16 hours a week and still receive Carer's Allowance.</p><p> </p><p>DWP also provides information to help carers and potential unpaid carers make informed decisions about combining work and care through their <a href="https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/ways-of-working-that-fit-around-you/combine-working-and-caring-for-someone/" target="_blank">JobHelp Care Choices Site</a>.</p> answering member constituency Birkenhead answering member printed Alison McGovern grouped question UIN 44265 question first answered 14/04/2025 14:45:14 answering member 4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1792625

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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 Schemes: Carers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support employees who leave employment to provide unpaid care to return to work.
	tabling member constituency	Leigh and Atherton
	tabling member printed	Jo Platt
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44265
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/04/2025 answer text <p>Our Get Britain Working plan aims to reduce economic inactivity levels and take the first steps to delivering our long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunities they need to achieve and thrive, to succeed and flourish. This includes unpaid carers, whereby many of whom are excluded from the labour market due to their caring responsibilities.</p><p> </p><p>Customers providing care for fewer than 35 hours a week receive personalised support through their Work Coach, and their work expectation is tailored to fit caring responsibilities. Support includes identifying skills gaps and referral to skills training, careers advice, job search support, volunteering opportunities and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry. Unemployed customers who require more intensive employment support can also be referred to the Restart programme.</p><p> </p><p>The weekly Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is now pegged to 16 hours work at National Living Wage (NLW) levels and in future it will increase when the NLW increases. The earnings limit increased to be £196 a week (net earnings) on 7 April 2025, compared to £151 in 2024/25. This is the largest ever increase in the earnings limit since Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. This means carers who are receiving the NLW (and have not done overtime or received a bonus) will be able to work for 16 hours a week and still receive Carer's Allowance.</p><p> </p><p>DWP also provides information to help carers and potential unpaid carers make informed decisions about combining work and care through their <a href="https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/ways-of-working-that-fit-around-you/combine-working-and-caring-for-someone/" target="_blank">JobHelp Care Choices Site</a>.</p> answering member constituency Birkenhead answering member printed Alison McGovern grouped question UIN 44264 question first answered 14/04/2025 14:45:14 answering member 4083 label Biography information for Alison McGovern
	tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt

1792629

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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	Access to Work Programme: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all DWP caseworkers assessing employees in the Access to Work Plus scheme are fully trained on the scheme’s requirements.
	tabling member constituency	North East Hampshire
	tabling member printed	Alex Brewer
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44358
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2025 answer text <p>Since Access to Work Plus began testing in 2022, Access to Work has a dedicated team of Case Managers who process Access to Work Plus applications. Case Managers underwent training to ensure the policy intent was understood and being applied consistently. There are regular reviews to ensure that DWP Case Managers understand the scheme’s requirements.</p> answering member constituency East Ham answering member printed Sir Stephen Timms question first answered 11/04/2025 11:03:13 answering member 163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms
	tabling member	5263

1792630

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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	Access to Work Programme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time is between submitting an application for Access to Work Plus and (a) an in-person assessment, (b) a funding decision and (c) payment.
	tabling member constituency	North East Hampshire
	tabling member printed	Alex Brewer
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44359
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2025 answer text <p>Access to Work Plus applications are prioritised and pulled from the standard Access to Work application queue. The average clearance time for Access to Work applications which include Access to Work Plus is 25-days. Once requested an enhanced Access to Work Plus assessment is expected to be returned within 12 days. The Access to Work payment average clearance time is 10-days, this includes Access to Work Plus, providing all the information has been submitted, the same as for standard Access to Work.</p><p> </p><p>Clearance times are currently taking longer due to the increasing demand for Access to Work. We are committed to reducing waiting times for Access to Work and have streamlined delivery practices and increased the number of staff processing applications and claims.</p> answering member constituency East Ham answering member printed Sir Stephen Timms question first answered 11/04/2025 11:01:35 answering member 163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms
	tabling member	5263

1792631

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	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	Access to Work Programme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to (a) simplify the paperwork and (b) make online submissions possible for Access to Work Plus applications.
	tabling member constituency	North East Hampshire
	tabling member printed	Alex Brewer
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44360
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/04/2025 answer text <p>Access to Work Policy has worked collaboratively with the Supported Business Steering Group to develop Access to Work Plus. The Access to Work Plus processes are reviewed on a regular basis and work is currently underway to streamline the claims process.</p><p> </p><p>To improve customer service and streamline processes, Access to Work is continuing to develop its digital offer. There is already an Access to Work online application process, which Access to Work Plus customers can use, but as Access to Work Plus is limited to a small number of customers there are no immediate plans to develop a separate online application process.</p> answering member constituency East Ham answering member printed Sir Stephen Timms question first answered 11/04/2025 10:59:26 answering member 163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms
	tabling member	5263

1792535

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Banks: Closures
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35858 on Banks: closures, whether she has had discussions with retail banks on keeping high street bank branches open since 5 July 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Bedfordshire
	tabling member printed	Blake Stephenson
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44309
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2025 answer text <p>The Chancellor of the Exchequer meets regularly with all major banks to discuss a wide variety of topics.</p><p> </p><p>Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefiting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly.</p><p> </p><p>The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 140 are already open.</p> answering member constituency Wycombe answering member printed Emma Reynolds question first answered 09/04/2025 15:06:56 answering member 4077 label Biography information for Emma Reynolds
	tabling member	5100

1792536

	registered interest
	date	04/04/2025
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Gift Aid: Regulation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she will take steps to amend Gift Aid regulations to allow charitable (a) zoos and (b) aquariums to claim on the price of admission.
	tabling member constituency	Mid Bedfordshire
	tabling member printed	Blake Stephenson
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	44310
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2025 answer text <p>The Government recognises the important work the charity sector does in the UK, which is why we currently provide tax reliefs to charities and their donors worth over £6 billion per year, including over £1.6 billion in Gift Aid.</p><p>Gift Aid is intended to be claimed only on freely given donations rather than on payments for goods or services such as admission fees. This is why charitable zoos or aquariums may not claim gift aid on the price of a single admission. However, they can claim gift aid on donations that go beyond the 'goods and services' element of a single admission and are given freely to support the charity's purpose. Such charities may claim Gift Aid on the sale of a ticket where either: the ticket gives the buyer access to view charity property (which by definition includes plants and animals) for a full year; or the buyer pays a freely given 10% Gift Aid ‘premium’ on top of the standard admission price.</p> answering member constituency Ealing North answering member printed James Murray question first answered 10/04/2025 14:28:54 answering member 4797 label Biography information for James Murray
	tabling member	5100