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1185199

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Department for Work and Pensions: Disability
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 13 March 2020 to Questions 27006, 27012, and 27014, on Department for Work and Pensions: Disability, whether the review her Department is undertaking will assess (a) the reasons why her Department has lost more employment tribunals for disability discrimination than any other employer since 2016, (b) the potential effect of those losses on the reputation of her Department and (c) the potential effect of trends in the level of cases lost by her Department at employment tribunals for disability discrimination on objective 2 of her Department's single departmental plan.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	29978
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>It is possible that these are elements a review would cover, however we would not want to be restrictive and the full scope would need to be agreed as part of the Terms of Reference for a review.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 19/03/2020 14:10:54 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1185245

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Universal Credit: Coronavirus
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 covid-19 outbreak, what plans she has to allow universal credit advance payments to be made as soon as possible without work coach meetings.
tabling member constituency	Dundee West
tabling member printed	Chris Law
uin	29994
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Face-to-face checks for Universal Credit advances have been removed for people self-isolating due to coronavirus so they can get the support they need quickly. Advances are available online or via the phone.</ins></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies previous answer version 13622 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies 13698 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies question first answered 20/03/2020 13:15:42 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2020 15:00:49 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4403 label Biography information for Chris Law

1185250

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Private Rented Housing: 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 steps she has taken to tackle housing advertisements which specify No DSS tenants.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	29998
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>Everyone should have the same opportunity when looking for a home, regardless of whether they are in receipt of benefits. Blanket bans that do not take account of the individual and their circumstances are unhelpful and should be discouraged.</p><p>Last year, I met industry representatives including property advertising platforms, to determine what action can be taken to end this practice. We have since seen positive changes with platforms committing to removing adverts with ‘No DSS’ wording.</p><p>Officials also met the Competition and Marketing Authority to discuss their guidance for lettings professionals which, in October 2019 was updated to state that landlords should not exclude people on the grounds that they are receiving benefits.</p><p>We will monitor this situation and continue to engage with stakeholders where necessary.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 19/03/2020 14:35:42 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1185252

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
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 protect sick, elderly or disabled people in receipt of (a) employment support allowance, (b) personal independence payment and (c) universal credit from having to attend mandatory assessments or appointments in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
uin	30000
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">From 17<sup>th</sup> March, we suspended all face-to-face assessments for health and disability benefits. For existing claimants, we have also automatically extended awards and suspended any new review or reassessment activity, except where claimants notify us of changes to their needs that may result in an increase to their award. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We have temporarily suspended the requirement for face-to-face Jobcentre Plus appointments for all claimants in Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Income Support. This means that claimants are not expected to contact their Jobcentre Plus while this temporary suspension is in place. They will continue to receive benefits as normal and they will not be sanctioned for not taking part in interviews with Jobcentres.</ins></p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 19/03/2020 17:45:25 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2020 15:02:18 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson previous answer version 13583 answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1185255

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
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 mitigate the risk of delays in processing new applications for (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support allowance due to (i) self-isolation or (ii) reduced face to face assessments following the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
uin	30002
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>As announced on Monday 16 March we are stopping all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits and introducing alternative measures to assess from Tuesday 17 March. We are working at pace with our Assessment Providers to minimize any inconvenience and delays as much as possible.</p><p> </p><p>No estimate has yet been made on the average waiting times for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC) while these alternative arrangements are in place. Claims to ESA and UC will be payable prior to a Work Capability Assessment having been carried out and payments for Personal Independence Payment will be backdated from the date of decision in line with normal rules following an assessment.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 30056 30058 question first answered 19/03/2020 13:25:08 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1185265

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Sign Language: Television
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the merits of providing a British Sign Language interpreter to accompany televised announcements to ensure the deaf community has access to information.
tabling member constituency	Brent Central
tabling member printed	Dawn Butler
uin	29899
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring deaf people can fully participate and play a full role in society. We support initiatives aimed at improving understanding of the needs of deaf people and how the barriers they face can be removed, as well as giving deaf people more say in how they access services.</p><p>We worked with the BBC to introduce a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter on Monday 16 March to accompany the Prime Minister’s daily coronavirus press conference. The BSL interpreter is available on the BBC News Channel and BBC iPlayer. We intend to continue to work with the BBC to ensure there is a BSL interpreter in our daily updates on coronavirus and are prioritising the exploration of additional methods to ensure that all disabled people have access to pertinent communication in accessible formats.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/03/2020 12:03:40 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	1489 label Biography information for Dawn Butler

1185269

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus
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 is available to people who have a compromised immune system and may need to self isolate for extended periods of time.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
tabling member printed	Emma Hardy
uin	30012
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">It is possible that employees who have received a shield letter will be able to work from home and therefore be entitled to normal pay. We would encourage employers to make this happen where possible. For those that cannot work from home, we are encouraging employers to make use of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme where possible. Under the scheme small and large employers will be eligible to apply for a government grant of 80% of workers’ salaries up to £2,500 a month. The scheme will be backdated to 1st March and available for at least three months, with the first grants expected to be paid within weeks.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">There is also the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme which will help eligible freelance workers receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least three months.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government has set up an advice contact centre and website exclusively to help those who have been identified as shielding to access support. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">A new Local Support System in England will make sure those individuals that have been identified by the NHS to stay at home, and who are without a support network of friends and family, will receive essential supplies such as groceries and medicine.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Everyone infected with Covid-19 or required to self-isolate will be treated as having Limited Capability for Work in ESA and UC without the requirement for fit notes or undergoing a Work Capability Assessment. Those applying for Contributory ESA will be able to claim from day 1 – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the need for face-to-face assessment. </ins></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies previous answer version 13624 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies 13700 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies question first answered 20/03/2020 13:21:56 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2020 14:57:39 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4645 label Biography information for Emma Hardy

1185270

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to limit (a) Statutory Sick Pay and (b) other benefits in the event that people are required to self-isolate repeatedly.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
tabling member printed	Emma Hardy
uin	30013
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p>As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/03/2020 12:11:14 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4645 label Biography information for Emma Hardy

1185279

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what alternative arrangements will be made available for benefit claimants who are unable to attend face to face meetings.
tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
tabling member printed	Emma Hardy
uin	30017
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We are doing all we can to keep our Jobcentres and service centres operational, but as of 24th March, Jobcentres are only offering face-to-face appointments – conducted in accordance with PHE guidelines on social distancing - for the small number of claimants who would otherwise not be able to receive support. This helps us to continue to deliver our critical services whilst keeping our customers and staff safe.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">From 17th March, we suspended all face-to-face assessments for health and disability benefits. For existing claimants, we have automatically extended awards and suspended any new review or reassessment activity, except where claimants notify us of changes to their needs that may result in an increase to their award. This temporary measure is being taken to ensure the Department’s resources are focused on providing access to financial support for new claimants, and it will also reassure claimants about continuity of their benefit during the coronavirus outbreak.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We have also taken the decision to temporarily suspend the requirement for face-to-face Jobcentre Plus appointments for all claimants in Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Income Support. This means that claimants are not expected to contact their Jobcentre Plus while this temporary suspension is in place. They will continue to receive benefits as normal and they will not be sanctioned for not taking part in interviews with Jobcentres.</ins></p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/03/2020 12:25:33 question first ministerially corrected 15/04/2020 15:00:37 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies previous answer version 14243 answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4645 label Biography information for Emma Hardy

1185306

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Employment: Mental Illness
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 people with mental disabilities (a) into and (b) to remain in employment.
tabling member constituency	Dudley North
tabling member printed	Marco Longhi
uin	30042
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to reducing the disability employment gap and seeing a million more disabled people in work by 2027.</p><p> </p><p>We help disabled people, including those with mental health conditions and learning disabilities, return to and stay in work through programmes including the Work and Health Programme, the new Intensive Personalised Employment Support Programme, Access to Work and Disability Confident.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/03/2020 12:13:08 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4789 label Biography information for Marco Longhi