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790198

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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: Social Media
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in his Department with responsibility for social media are employed on an (a) full and (b) part-time basis.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh North and Leith
tabling member printed	Deidre Brock
uin	113295
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>Social media plays an important role in both our communications and delivery and therefore responsibility is shared by several teams across the Department, including DWP Strategic Communications, DWP Digital Group and across the Jobcentre Plus network overseen by the Operational Excellence Division.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Area</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of people</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Strategic Communications</p></td><td><p>2 Full time, 1 Part time</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>DWP Digital Group</p></td><td><p>5 Full time</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Jobcentre Plus Network</p></td><td><p>3 Full time and 1 Part time</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 20/11/2017 16:22:55 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4417 label Biography information for Deidre Brock

790200

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority
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 seek formal agreement to participate in the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Aberavon
tabling member printed	Stephen Kinnock
uin	113251
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>We are committed to ensuring that all important functions currently carried out by public bodies at an EU level can be carried out at a UK level in time for exit day. Whether the UK will wish to seek agreement to continue as an EIOPA member once we leave the European Union will depend on the outcome of the broader negotiations about the UK’s trade in financial services.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 20/11/2017 14:45:13 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4359 label Biography information for Stephen Kinnock

790204

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to train staff about whether potentially vulnerable claimants should be placed in the all work requirements group.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	113360
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>Conditionality, i.e. allocation to the all work related requirements group, is driven by claimant circumstances as specified in legislation - whilst identification and appropriate handling for vulnerable claimants should be a part of interactions with all claimants, regardless of conditionality.</p><p> </p><p>All Work Coaches complete learning designed specifically for their role to support customers, whatever their needs. This learning combines the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to coach claimants effectively so that they are able to identify for themselves what they need to do to find work and how best to do it. Work Coaches are expected to identify and support vulnerable claimants, recognise and consider the impact of complex circumstances and adjust the requirements expected from claimants.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 20/11/2017 16:35:29 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

790207

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Funeral Payments: Costs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of data in the Royal London National Funeral Cost Index 2017 on the difference between average funeral costs and average Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment (SFFEP) awards; what assessment he has made of trends in the difference between average funeral costs and average SFFEP awards; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	113162
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>We continue to monitor the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments scheme and work towards improving it, while supporting the most vulnerable with their funeral expenses. As part of this work, my officials have worked extensively with representatives of the funeral industry and the Royal London is one of these. In the past ten years, the average Funeral Expenses Payment has increased in value by about 28% from £1,117 in 2006/07 to £1,427 in 2016/17 while inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index measure increased by around 26%.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 20/11/2017 16:13:07 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

790208

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Funeral Payments: Fees and Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his Department's policy to raise the funeral director's fees element of the funeral fund in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	113185
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments scheme comprises two elements. The first element covers the ‘necessary’ costs of arranging a funeral, which can include: the purchase of a grave; necessary burial or cremation fees; the cost of any medical references or the removal of active implanted medical devices for cremations; reasonable costs if a body has to be moved more than fifty miles; and travel costs for the applicant to arrange and attend the funeral. These ‘necessary’ costs are paid in full and there is no maximum contribution.</p><p> </p><p>The second element covers all other costs, including the funeral director’s fees. These other costs are subject to a maximum of £700. We have no plans at this time to review this component of the scheme.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 20/11/2017 16:17:35 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

790209

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Tata Steel: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provision was made for advice to be given to members of the Tata Steel pension scheme on their pension options after the creation of the new pensions scheme; and what the cost to the public purse of that provision was.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	113174
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The Trustee of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) is providing information to members on the effect on their pension rights of either staying in the original scheme which will move in to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) or transferring to the new scheme. This includes newsletters, a website, bespoke option packs and access to free and impartial helplines. The Trustee cannot provide financial advice but members who may want independent advice are signposted to the <a href="http://www.unbiased.co.uk" target="_blank">www.unbiased.co.uk</a> website. They are also warned to check that the Independent Financial Advisor from whom they receive advice is authorised by the FCA to advise on defined benefit pensions by looking them up on FCA’s register. The BSPS trustee is also warning members about the risk of bad advice and scams in its communication with members.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not provide formal advice to any pension scheme members. The Department is not authorised to provide financial advice. However, the free service provided by the Pensions Advisory Service may be able to clarify or explain information that members have received from their scheme to help them better understand their options.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator has encouraged the BSPS trustee to repeat the warnings to members at the ongoing road show meetings it is holding with members to ensure they are fully informed about their options. The PPF has been invited to these roadshows to answer questions and provide information on how the PPF operates. The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the PPF regarding the number of BSPS members requesting transfer valuations since this is a matter for the Trustee rather than the PPF or the Government.</p><p> </p><p>Government is in ongoing discussion with the FCA on the issue of cold calling and wider issues concerning advice. These discussions will take account of the circumstances surrounding Tata Steel. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is aware of concerns around this issue and is urgently arranging to meet the firms in Swansea that hold the permission to advise on pension transfers in order to set out their expectations of advisers. The FCA can use their supervisory tools where they suspect authorised firms of being involved in pension scams. These tools include restrictions on a firm’s permission to do certain types of business. When unauthorised firms carry on regulated pension business, the FCA has the power to investigate and take action through the criminal and civil courts.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 113175 113176 113177 question first answered 20/11/2017 12:23:30 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

790210

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Tata Steel: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department provides free advice to Tata Steel pension scheme members on their pension options.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	113175
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The Trustee of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) is providing information to members on the effect on their pension rights of either staying in the original scheme which will move in to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) or transferring to the new scheme. This includes newsletters, a website, bespoke option packs and access to free and impartial helplines. The Trustee cannot provide financial advice but members who may want independent advice are signposted to the <a href="http://www.unbiased.co.uk" target="_blank">www.unbiased.co.uk</a> website. They are also warned to check that the Independent Financial Advisor from whom they receive advice is authorised by the FCA to advise on defined benefit pensions by looking them up on FCA’s register. The BSPS trustee is also warning members about the risk of bad advice and scams in its communication with members.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not provide formal advice to any pension scheme members. The Department is not authorised to provide financial advice. However, the free service provided by the Pensions Advisory Service may be able to clarify or explain information that members have received from their scheme to help them better understand their options.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator has encouraged the BSPS trustee to repeat the warnings to members at the ongoing road show meetings it is holding with members to ensure they are fully informed about their options. The PPF has been invited to these roadshows to answer questions and provide information on how the PPF operates. The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the PPF regarding the number of BSPS members requesting transfer valuations since this is a matter for the Trustee rather than the PPF or the Government.</p><p> </p><p>Government is in ongoing discussion with the FCA on the issue of cold calling and wider issues concerning advice. These discussions will take account of the circumstances surrounding Tata Steel. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is aware of concerns around this issue and is urgently arranging to meet the firms in Swansea that hold the permission to advise on pension transfers in order to set out their expectations of advisers. The FCA can use their supervisory tools where they suspect authorised firms of being involved in pension scams. These tools include restrictions on a firm’s permission to do certain types of business. When unauthorised firms carry on regulated pension business, the FCA has the power to investigate and take action through the criminal and civil courts.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 113174 113176 113177 question first answered 20/11/2017 12:23:30 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

790211

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Tata Steel: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had or plans to have with the Pension Protection Fund on the number of Tata Steel pension scheme members requesting valuations to transfer their pots out of the scheme.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	113176
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The Trustee of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) is providing information to members on the effect on their pension rights of either staying in the original scheme which will move in to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) or transferring to the new scheme. This includes newsletters, a website, bespoke option packs and access to free and impartial helplines. The Trustee cannot provide financial advice but members who may want independent advice are signposted to the <a href="http://www.unbiased.co.uk" target="_blank">www.unbiased.co.uk</a> website. They are also warned to check that the Independent Financial Advisor from whom they receive advice is authorised by the FCA to advise on defined benefit pensions by looking them up on FCA’s register. The BSPS trustee is also warning members about the risk of bad advice and scams in its communication with members.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not provide formal advice to any pension scheme members. The Department is not authorised to provide financial advice. However, the free service provided by the Pensions Advisory Service may be able to clarify or explain information that members have received from their scheme to help them better understand their options.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator has encouraged the BSPS trustee to repeat the warnings to members at the ongoing road show meetings it is holding with members to ensure they are fully informed about their options. The PPF has been invited to these roadshows to answer questions and provide information on how the PPF operates. The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the PPF regarding the number of BSPS members requesting transfer valuations since this is a matter for the Trustee rather than the PPF or the Government.</p><p> </p><p>Government is in ongoing discussion with the FCA on the issue of cold calling and wider issues concerning advice. These discussions will take account of the circumstances surrounding Tata Steel. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is aware of concerns around this issue and is urgently arranging to meet the firms in Swansea that hold the permission to advise on pension transfers in order to set out their expectations of advisers. The FCA can use their supervisory tools where they suspect authorised firms of being involved in pension scams. These tools include restrictions on a firm’s permission to do certain types of business. When unauthorised firms carry on regulated pension business, the FCA has the power to investigate and take action through the criminal and civil courts.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 113174 113175 113177 question first answered 20/11/2017 12:23:30 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

790212

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Tata Steel: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had or plans to have with the Financial Conduct Authority on the specific targeting of cold calls to Tata Steel pension members by financial advisers.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	113177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>The Trustee of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) is providing information to members on the effect on their pension rights of either staying in the original scheme which will move in to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) or transferring to the new scheme. This includes newsletters, a website, bespoke option packs and access to free and impartial helplines. The Trustee cannot provide financial advice but members who may want independent advice are signposted to the <a href="http://www.unbiased.co.uk" target="_blank">www.unbiased.co.uk</a> website. They are also warned to check that the Independent Financial Advisor from whom they receive advice is authorised by the FCA to advise on defined benefit pensions by looking them up on FCA’s register. The BSPS trustee is also warning members about the risk of bad advice and scams in its communication with members.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not provide formal advice to any pension scheme members. The Department is not authorised to provide financial advice. However, the free service provided by the Pensions Advisory Service may be able to clarify or explain information that members have received from their scheme to help them better understand their options.</p><p> </p><p>The Pensions Regulator has encouraged the BSPS trustee to repeat the warnings to members at the ongoing road show meetings it is holding with members to ensure they are fully informed about their options. The PPF has been invited to these roadshows to answer questions and provide information on how the PPF operates. The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the PPF regarding the number of BSPS members requesting transfer valuations since this is a matter for the Trustee rather than the PPF or the Government.</p><p> </p><p>Government is in ongoing discussion with the FCA on the issue of cold calling and wider issues concerning advice. These discussions will take account of the circumstances surrounding Tata Steel. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is aware of concerns around this issue and is urgently arranging to meet the firms in Swansea that hold the permission to advise on pension transfers in order to set out their expectations of advisers. The FCA can use their supervisory tools where they suspect authorised firms of being involved in pension scams. These tools include restrictions on a firm’s permission to do certain types of business. When unauthorised firms carry on regulated pension business, the FCA has the power to investigate and take action through the criminal and civil courts.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 113174 113175 113176 question first answered 20/11/2017 12:23:30 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

790214

registered interest
date	15/11/2017
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	Universal Credit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how and when claimants will be advised of changes to their benefits when universal credit full service is rolled out to different claimant groups.
tabling member constituency	Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
tabling member printed	Lesley Laird
uin	113203
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2017 answer text <p>Unless there is a relevant change of circumstance that would previously have prompted a new claim to another legacy benefit or Tax Credit, claimants will remain on their existing arrangements until we begin transferring claimants to Universal Credit from July 2019.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 20/11/2017 18:01:50 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
tabling member	4660 label Biography information for Lesley Laird