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1727489

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2024
	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	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 5 August (HL273), when they will review their commitments in the Disability Action Plan, published on 5 February; and where they will publish their response.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL766
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/09/2024 answer text <p>The Disability Action Plan was an initiative of the previous administration. This Government is committed to championing the rights of deaf and disabled people. We will build on the insights shared by deaf and disabled people and their representative organisations, working closely with them so that their views and voices are at the heart of everything we do. We will provide further updates on the Government’s priorities for disability policy in due course.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sherlock question first answered 17/09/2024 14:13:21 answering member 4147 label Biography information for Baroness Sherlock
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1723107

	registered interest
	date	23/07/2024
	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	Press Conferences: Sign Language
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to recommit to the provision of in situ British Sign Language interpretation of major press conferences and briefings as set out in the Disability Action Plan in February.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL273
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2024 answer text <p>Commitments made in the Disability Action Plan will be reviewed and considered as part of the Government's approach to improving the lives of Deaf and disabled people.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sherlock question first answered 05/08/2024 10:29:47 answering member 4147 label Biography information for Baroness Sherlock
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1652575

	registered interest
	date	12/07/2023
	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	Food Banks: Refrigeration
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Markham on 14 December 2022 (HL Deb col 653), what assessment they have made of the provision of freezers and fridges to increase food banks’ storage capacity.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL9301
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2023 answer text <p>Foodbanks are independent, charitable organisations and the Department for Work and Pensions does not have any role in their operation.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst Government recognises that food charities are a great example of the generosity of spirit of communities across the country, it is important to recognise the important distinction between government welfare support and discretionary charitable support. Therefore, the Department for Work and Pensions is unable to make an assessment as Foodbanks are independent, charitable organisations who design their own delivery models and criteria to access their services.</p><p> </p><p>Government understands the pressures people, including parents, are facing with the cost of living and is taking action to help. Overall, the government is providing total support of over £94bn over 2022-23 and 2023- 24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of bills.</p><p> </p><p>The Government also announced over £100 million of support for charities and community organisations in England at the Spring Budget. This will support frontline organisations experiencing increased demand and higher delivery costs and will provide some investment in energy efficiency measures. It will be targeted towards those organisations most at risk from cost of living pressures, due to increased demand and higher delivery costs, as well as providing investment in energy efficiency measures. Further detail will be published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport shortly.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 25/07/2023 16:01:59 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1547539

	registered interest
	date	01/12/2022
	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	Cold Weather Payments
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stedman-Scott on 16 November (HL3212), why they have kept the £25 Cold Weather Payment amount the same; and what plans they have to increase it in light of the increasing cost of energy bills.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL3952
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2022 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to increase payment of the Cold Weather Payment scheme. The current Cold Weather Payment scheme represents a contribution towards additional heating costs, paid at the time of need.</p><p> </p><p>Pensioner households are in the process of receiving an extra £300 on top of their winter fuel payment to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter. For those in receipt of Pension Credit the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 was issued in November. Pensioners in receipt of eligible disability benefits will have also received the disability cost of living payment of £150 issued in September.</p><p> </p><p>The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and that pensioners are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs, and many low-income pensioner households do not claim the means tested benefits they are entitled to. That is why, in addition to the £37 billion of support we have provided for cost of living pressures in 2022/23, we are acting now to ensure support continues throughout 2023/24.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure stability and certainty for households, in the Autumn Statement the Government has announced £26 billion in cost of living support for 2023/24. In 2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to a further £900 in Cost of Living Payments. A £300 payment will be made to pensioner households and individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits will receive a £150 payment. Also included is the amended Energy Price Guarantee which will save the average UK household £500 in 2023/24 and raising the benefit cap by 10.1% in line with inflation.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 14/12/2022 12:28:26 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1539350

	registered interest
	date	03/11/2022
	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	Cold Weather Payments
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Stedman-Scott on 27 October (HL2653), on what basis they can provide for the Cold Weather Payment being £25; when they undertook their last review into the appropriateness of that figure; and what assessment they have made of the efficacy of a one-off payment for those eligible for the Cold Weather Payment.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL3212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2022 answer text <p>There are currently no plans to introduce a one-off payment under the Cold Weather Payment scheme. The scheme ensures that vulnerable claimants on qualifying benefits automatically receive a payment of £25 for every 7-day period of exceptionally cold weather. This represents a generous contribution towards additional heating costs, paid at the time of need. <br></p><p>The Government has already announced additional financial support to help vulnerable people with energy costs this winter, and the Department continues to keep its policies and procedures under review.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 16/11/2022 14:14:11 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1538423

	registered interest
	date	01/11/2022
	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	Pension Funds: Investment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Pensions Regulator regarding the use of Liability Driven Investment by pension funds.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL3123
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2022 answer text <p>Individual member benefits were not at risk. The DB pension promise is ultimately the responsibility of the sponsoring employer and does not depend on the performance of the fund. The steep rise in gilt yields and subsequent market turmoil at the end of September did not result in any DB schemes being at risk of insolvency. If any schemes do suffer losses which result in a funding deficit, this can be addressed through investment returns and additional contributions from the sponsoring employer over a reasonable period.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL3124 question first answered 14/11/2022 16:56:58 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1538424

	registered interest
	date	01/11/2022
	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	Pension Funds: Investment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk to individuals from the practice of Liability Driven Investment by pension funds.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL3124
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/11/2022 answer text <p>Individual member benefits were not at risk. The DB pension promise is ultimately the responsibility of the sponsoring employer and does not depend on the performance of the fund. The steep rise in gilt yields and subsequent market turmoil at the end of September did not result in any DB schemes being at risk of insolvency. If any schemes do suffer losses which result in a funding deficit, this can be addressed through investment returns and additional contributions from the sponsoring employer over a reasonable period.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott grouped question UIN HL3123 question first answered 14/11/2022 16:56:58 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1522701

	registered interest
	date	17/10/2022
	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	Cold Weather Payments
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the Cold Weather Payment given increased energy costs.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL2653
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Cold Weather Payments help vulnerable people in receipt of certain income-related benefits to meet the additional costs of heating during periods of severe cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. We keep all policies, including Cold Weather Payment, under constant review.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 27/10/2022 12:54:15 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1349342

	registered interest
	date	21/07/2021
	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	Social Security Benefits
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by Christians Against Poverty Shipshape or sinking ship?, published on 21 July, what plans they have to review whether social security meets (1) the basic cost of living, and (2) the Eatwell Guide.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL2275
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/08/2021 answer text <p>Statistics on the number and percentage of children in low income and material deprivation, including by receipt of benefit, are set out in the annual &quot;Households Below Average Income&quot; publication.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit (UC) awards are formed of a Standard Allowance, paid according to age and family status, plus help with eligible housing costs, which can then be supplemented with additional elements for groups recognised as having additional needs, such as parents, disabled people and carers. The rates of benefit are not determined by individuals' living costs.</p><p> </p><p>This Government firmly believes that people should be free to spend their benefit as they see fit, in light of their individual needs and preferences. Everyone’s requirements vary and to attempt to base rates upon personal expenditure of individual recipients would produce an unfair and unsustainable system.</p><p> </p><p>UC is a personalised system without the ‘cliff edges’ featured across legacy benefits, where money was lost when working more than 16, 24 and 30 hours. UC makes work pay by introducing a smoother, more transparent reduction of benefits at a consistent and predictable rate when people move into work and increase their earnings. A single taper, of 63 per cent per £1 is applied as earnings rise.</p><p> </p><p>We have expanded the Holiday Activities and Food programme to all children in every local authority in England, covering Easter, Summer and Christmas in 2021. We also expanded Healthy Start payments from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April 2021, to ensure pregnant women and children under 4 have access to basic food and vitamins.</p><p> </p><p>We take the issue of food insecurity seriously, which is why we added internationally used food security questions to the Family Resources Survey in 19/20 and these questions remain in the survey for 20/21. Statistics on levels of food insecure households covering 2019/20, can be found on Gov.uk.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 02/08/2021 13:46:22 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1195297

	registered interest
	date	12/05/2020
	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	Poverty: Children
	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 rate of child poverty in Luton; and what plans they have to provide additional financial support to the Luton Borough Council to help it address that rate. [T]
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	HL4300
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/06/2020 answer text <p>The national and regional statistics on the number and proportion of people in low income as set out in the annual ‘Households Below Average Income’ publication are not available at local authority level due to limitations around the survey sample.</p><p> </p><p>New experimental data on Children in Low Income families was published on 26 March 2020 and is available at Local Authority level. For the Luton Local Authority area, 23 per cent of children were in families with absolute low income in 2018/19 compared with 25 per cent in 2014/15.</p><p> </p><p>Our current focus is on helping vulnerable families cope with the financial hardships brought about by COVID-19. We have increased Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by £1,000 from 6 April 2020 for one year, benefiting over four million of the most vulnerable households, and increased Local Housing Allowance rates - putting an average of £600 into people’s pockets.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Local Authorities in England will now be able to use the £500 million Hardship Fund announced at the Spring Budget to help working people on Local Council Tax Support to provide additional help to vulnerable people locally through arrangements such as Local Welfare Schemes.</p><p> </p><p>This Government’s long-term ambition remains to build an economy that will support work, and ensure that everyone has opportunities to enter work and progress, while being supported by the welfare system in their time of need. This is based on clear evidence of the important role of work in reducing child poverty. In 2018/19, only three per cent of children in households where both parents work full time were in absolute poverty (before housing costs) compared to 47 per cent in households where one or more parent was in part-time work.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 10/06/2020 14:05:05 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans