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1058635

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	Whether her Department has plans to redesign the reassessment process for benefit recipients with severe mental or physical disabilities.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	909127
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>We are committed to assessing people with health conditions and disabilities fairly and accurately, and helping people to access the right support. We made a clear commitment in <em>Improving Lives</em>: <em>The Future of Work, Health and Disability</em> to reform the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and recognise the importance of getting this right. We are therefore testing new approaches to build the evidence base for what works, and working with external stakeholders to inform future changes to the WCA.</p><p> </p><p>Over the last year we have introduced new guidance into Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC), as well as updated guidance for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to improve the service we provide for those with the most severe/lifelong conditions. For ESA/UC since September 2017 we have switched off routine reassessments for those who meet the Severe Conditions criteria, and since August 2018, those receiving the highest level of support in PIP, whose needs are unlikely to change or may get worse, will now receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at the ten year point.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 11/02/2019 17:02:14 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1058636

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	What recent assessment her Department has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) efficiency of contracted-out health assessments for (i) employment and support allowance and (ii) personal independence payment.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	909128
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>We are committed to ensuring claimants receive high quality assessments. Providers are closely monitored against a range of measures including through independent audit to improve accuracy and decision making. We are seeing continuous improvement in PIP assessment quality and recent data shows both PIP providers meeting quality expectations. We continually look to improve the efficiency of the assessment process by working closely with health assessment providers and the disabled people the Department supports.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 11/02/2019 16:37:48 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1058637

registered interest
date	11/02/2019
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	Pensioners: Poverty
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of pensioner poverty; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow South West
tabling member printed	Chris Stephens
uin	909129
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2019 answer text <p>This Government has seen the absolute poverty rate for pensioners fall to record lows, with over 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty before housing costs. Rates of material deprivation for pensioners are also at record lows.</p><p>We have reduced pensioner poverty close to historically low levels, lifting the incomes of millions of older people. Since 2009/10, material deprivation for pensioners has fallen from 10 per cent to 7 per cent in 2016/17 and since 2010 there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty, a record low.</p><p>The Government is committed to action that helps to alleviate levels of pensioner poverty. In 2018/19 we will spend £121.5 billion on benefits for pensioners, including £97 billion on the State Pension for this year.</p><p>The Government has also committed to up-rating the basic State Pension by the highest of the growth in earnings, prices or 2.5 per cent - the 'triple lock' guarantee. This will mean that the full basic State Pension will be around £1450 per year higher in 2018/19 than in 2010. The Government has committed to the triple lock for the remainder of this Parliament.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 11/02/2019 17:58:24 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4463 label Biography information for Chris Stephens

1057009

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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, whether Jobcentres provide advice to universal credit applicants who start but do not complete an application; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	218739
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>Most people claiming Universal Credit will be able to access and navigate the internet, to make and maintain their Universal Credit account. Our published Universal Credit Claimant Survey found that 98 per cent of claimants did claim online, and the majority of those said they found the claim process overall to be straightforward.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit has been designed with accessibility in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants. Where a claimant requires assistance to complete the initial application process support is available via the Universal Credit helpline, face to face in the Jobcentre or in exceptional circumstances through a home visit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant needs more intensive or specific support to make their claim, face-to-face and other help is available through our current Universal Support Assisted Digital Service offer, which provides bespoke help, support and skills for claimants to make and maintain their digital account online. Since 2017, Universal Support has been delivered by individual local authorities, funded by grants from DWP.</p><p> </p><p>From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland will deliver a new “Help to Claim” service to support vulnerable claimants through the process of making a claim to Universal Credit, and managing their money afterwards.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 218741 question first answered 13/02/2019 17:36:41 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1057010

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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 assessment she has made of the reasons for refusals of applications for universal credit in the last twelve months.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	218740
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>Based on our internal data for August 2018, in total 28 per cent of claims did not complete the process.</p><p> </p><p>Of this figure around 9 per cent of claims* were closed due to non-entitlement, for example because of capital or not passing the Habitual Residence Test. The remainder (around 18 per cent**) were closed due to non-compliance with the process, for example failure to sign a Claimant Commitment and failing to provide evidence to support their claim.</p><p> </p><p>* due to recent methodological changes in calculating reasons for claims closing the percentages provided here may not match to those provided previously.</p><p> </p><p>**percentages do not add up to 28 per cent owing to rounding.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/02/2019 17:49:17 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1057011

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2019 to Question 214626 on universal credit, of the 18 per cent of claims for universal credit which were not completed due to non-compliance with the process, what support her Department offered to those applicants (a) during and (b) after the application process.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	218741
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>Most people claiming Universal Credit will be able to access and navigate the internet, to make and maintain their Universal Credit account. Our published Universal Credit Claimant Survey found that 98 per cent of claimants did claim online, and the majority of those said they found the claim process overall to be straightforward.</p><p> </p><p>Universal Credit has been designed with accessibility in mind and we are committed to providing personalised support for all claimants. Where a claimant requires assistance to complete the initial application process support is available via the Universal Credit helpline, face to face in the Jobcentre or in exceptional circumstances through a home visit.</p><p> </p><p>If a claimant needs more intensive or specific support to make their claim, face-to-face and other help is available through our current Universal Support Assisted Digital Service offer, which provides bespoke help, support and skills for claimants to make and maintain their digital account online. Since 2017, Universal Support has been delivered by individual local authorities, funded by grants from DWP.</p><p> </p><p>From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland will deliver a new “Help to Claim” service to support vulnerable claimants through the process of making a claim to Universal Credit, and managing their money afterwards.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma grouped question UIN 218739 question first answered 13/02/2019 17:36:41 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1057012

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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 many claims for universal credit have been refused as a result of the applicant not having a fixed address.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	218742
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>A claim to Universal Credit can still be made if a claimant does not have a permanent address, so this would not be a reason for a refusal.</p><p> </p><p>Where a claimant does not have sufficient documentary evidence to verify their identity, DWP follows a process known as a biographical security check, whereby the claimant is asked a series of security questions to validate their identity. Should the claimant fail the biographical security check, as an additional safeguard we can approach a third party to validate the claimant’s identity (subject to the claimant giving their consent).</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 13/02/2019 17:44:29 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1057032

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: Blood Diseases
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment claims where (a) the main disabling feature is haemophilia and (b) the claimant has been affected by contaminated blood received nil points or low points in (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	218780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/02/2019 answer text <p>With regards to (a), the Department publishes data on clearances (whether the claim was awarded, disallowed or withdrawn), which can be broken down by month and by Main Disabling Condition (which includes Haemophilia A and Haemophilia B) in the PIP Clearances table at <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore is here:</p><p><a href="https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html" target="_blank">https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html</a>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Data on clearances is available from the date PIP was introduced in April 2013 to October 2018 and only those who attend an assessment will have a Main Disabling Condition recorded for them. Please note, contaminated blood is not a disabling condition on <br>Stat-Xplore but can be the cause of other disabling conditions.</p><p> </p><p>The information requested on point scores (b) is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 18/02/2019 16:08:53 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1057051

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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	Personal Independence Payment: North West
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the waiting time from registration for personal independence payment to appeal was in (a) Wallasey, (b) Merseyside and (c) the North West in the most recent period for which figures are available.
tabling member constituency	Wallasey
tabling member printed	Ms Angela Eagle
uin	218761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>Information on the waiting time from registration of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim to appeal in Wallasey, Merseyside and the North West could only be provided at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Truro and Falmouth answering member printed Sarah Newton question first answered 13/02/2019 15:05:21 answering member 4071 label Biography information for Sarah Newton
tabling member	491 label Biography information for Dame Angela Eagle

1057082

registered interest
date	08/02/2019
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	Independent Case Examiner
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 improve the performance of the Independent Case Examiner.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	218827
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/02/2019 answer text <p>During 2017/18, the Independent Case Examiner’s Office received high levels of demand.</p><p>In the 2018/19 reporting year, the Office received funding for thirteen additional staff and productivity increased. By the end of January 2019 the Office had cleared 1,047 complaints, compared to 782 at the end of January 2018.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 13/02/2019 12:31:56 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows