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63338

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	Separated People: Advisory Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department has spent on developing the Sorting Out Separation web app; how many people are actively using that app; what the cost is per user of the app; what assessment he has made of the value for money of the app; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that future online development in this area represents good value for money.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	201856
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p>The costs of the Sorting out Separation web app are £417,500 to date. This includes initial build, maintenance and development, hosting, videos and promotion.</p><p>Contracts and services for Sorting out Separation have been procured using the online ‘Contracts Finder' and CloudStore (‘G Cloud' framework). Both of these are flexible, low-cost methods of commissioning, which has enabled the Department to maintain a strong focus on value for money from initial development to live running.</p><p>As of 31 May 2014 there were 180,000 visitors to Sorting out Separation, which equates to an approximate cost per user of £2.30. We have commissioned work on search engine optimisation to maximise awareness and usage and we anticipate that this will sharply reduce the cost per user in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 30/06/2014 15:04:35 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

63428

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	Council Tax Benefits
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 (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire, (c) East Midlands and (d) the UK received council tax benefit in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
uin	201708
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Most of the information requested is published and available for each month from November 2008 to February 2013 and can be found in Table 10 of the publication at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-benefit-caseload-statistics-published-from-november-2008-to-present" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-benefit-caseload-statistics-published-from-november-2008-to-present</a></p><p> </p><p>Council Tax Benefit (CTB) was replaced in April 2013 by the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and in England the Department for Communities and Local Government is now responsible for these statistics. The Scottish and Welsh Governments have similar responsibility.</p><p> </p><p>Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics and can be found at:</p><p><a href="http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_publications.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_publications.htm</a></p><p> </p><p>The information requested for Ashfield Parliamentary Constituency is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>However a Parliamentary Constituency breakdown for CTB was produced as a one-off exercise for January 2011 and this is published at:</p><p><a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107093842/http:/statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hb_ctb_parlc_jan11.xls" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107093842/http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hb_ctb_parlc_jan11.xls</a></p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 26/06/2014 14:30:31 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

63429

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	Crisis Loans
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 loan award made for the purpose of paying rent in advance was in the last year of operation of crisis loans.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Withington
tabling member printed	Mr John Leech
uin	201696
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>Crisis Loans may have been awarded for more than one purpose (for example rent in advance and living expenses). The department does not hold the data to accurately calculate the average award made solely for the purpose of rent in advance.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 30/06/2014 14:23:15 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	1543 label Biography information for Mr John Leech

63430

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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: Housing Benefit
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 the effect of universal credit on landlords who have claimants as tenants; what the results were of the direct payment demonstration projects on the effect of paying housing benefit direct to tenants; and if he will reduce the two calendar month rent arrears trigger point before a landlord can go directly to his Department for direct payment.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Jim Dobbin
uin	201714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p>Interim evaluation from the first 6 months of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects was published in December 2013 and can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/265257/direct-payment-demo-figures-dec-2013.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/265257/direct-payment-demo-figures-dec-2013.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>DWP has developed three levels of safeguards for tenants and landlords based on findings from the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects and continuous improvements through our test and learn approach in live service.</p><p> </p><p>We make an initial judgement on each claim as to whether the claimant is at risk of default and if so, we can put them on managed payments immediately. In the majority of cases Direct Payments will apply and we have two safeguards in place; (1) We will review the initial decision if we are advised that arrears have reached the equivalent of one months rent. (2) We will move to payment to the landlord if we are advised that arrears have reached the equivalent of two months rent.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 26/06/2014 14:13:49 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	446 label Biography information for Jim Dobbin

63431

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions officials from his Department had with the Northern Ireland devolved administration ahead of the informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 29-30 April 2014.
tabling member constituency	Bury South
tabling member printed	Mr Ivan Lewis
uin	201722
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The devolved administrations are always consulted on any European dossier deposited with the Cabinet Office that is subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. While social security is devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, International Relations are an excepted matter under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 30/06/2014 14:47:17 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	441 label Biography information for Mr Ivan Lewis

63432

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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 Contributions Office: Newcastle upon Tyne
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, where the boundaries lie of the geographical area served by national insurance services at Newcastle's Jobcentre Plus.
tabling member constituency	Middlesbrough
tabling member printed	Andy McDonald
uin	201754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>The boundaries are defined by postcodes and geographical areas served by national insurance services at Newcastle's Jobcentre Plus are;</p><p> </p><p>TS1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27, 28,29</p><p> </p><p>DL1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,17</p><p> </p><p>DH1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9</p><p> </p><p>SR1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9</p><p> </p><p>NE1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28, 29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37</p><p> </p><p>NE38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 30/06/2014 14:42:53 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	4269 label Biography information for Andy McDonald

63434

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	Jobseeker's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance he has issued to jobcentre staff on information to provide to jobseeker's allowance claimants whose claim has been stopped on the other support options available.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	201736
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>All Advisers have access to comprehensive and clear procedures, guidance and extensive learning which equips them to advise claimants who may have their entitlement to benefit ended, including alternative sources of financial assistance.</p><p> </p><p>Where a benefit doubt is identified and the case is being referred to a decision maker, claimants are given information (verbally and in writing) about the doubt in question, what happens next, what they can do if their claim ends and the availability of Jobseeker's Allowance under the hardship provision.</p><p> </p><p>Once a decision is made and entitlement ends, a formal notification is issued to the claimant, which includes information about the availability of Jobseeker's Allowance under the hardship provision.</p><p> </p><p>Where the Department for Work and Pensions is unable to help claimants they will be signposted to other types of support in their areas, including local authorities.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 26/06/2014 13:56:55 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

63435

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	Jobseeker's Allowance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what penalties are incurred by jobcentre staff who fail to inform jobseeker's allowance claimants whose claim has been stopped of the other support options available to them.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	201738
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We aim to ensure those who are eligible are fully aware of hardship provision, know how to make an application and have the right support from Jobcentre staff throughout the process so that they can receive payments. In the event that Jobcentre staff do not comply with any guidance, local Jobcentre managers may take appropriate steps in accordance with DWP's policies and procedures.</p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 26/06/2014 14:23:26 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

63436

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	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 the reasons for regional variations in the number of sanctions issued to benefit claimants by job centres.
tabling member constituency	Derby North
tabling member printed	Chris Williamson
uin	201924
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2014 answer text <p>Local and district management are responsible for ensuring Jobcentre Plus staff apply labour market conditionality fairly and consistently and to make sure referrals to decision makers are appropriate and of consistently good quality.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Decisions are subject to quality assurance process to ensure that Decision Makers continuously apply the law fairly and consistency.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wirral West answering member printed Esther McVey question first answered 30/06/2014 13:23:09 answering member 4084 label Biography information for Esther McVey
tabling member	3976 label Biography information for Chris Williamson

63437

registered interest
date	23/06/2014
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	Children: Day Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 344W, on children: day care, what assumptions on the number of families claiming support for childcare in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2017-18 and (d) 2018-19 have been built into the universal credit programme.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne North
tabling member printed	Catherine McKinnell
uin	201909
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2014 answer text <p /> <p /> <p>We announced our plans for the implementation of universal credit on 5 December, and these were set out in a written ministerial statement. The WMS can be found here:</p><p><a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131205/wmstext/131205m0001.htm#13120551000006" target="_blank">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131205/wmstext/131205m0001.htm#13120551000006</a></p><p>Official statistics on universal credit were most recently published on 11 June and can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-statistics-apr-2013-to-31-march-2014" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-statistics-apr-2013-to-31-march-2014</a></p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Steve Webb question first answered 26/06/2014 14:30:08 answering member 220 label Biography information for Steve Webb
tabling member	4125 label Biography information for Catherine McKinnell