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1203346

registered interest
date	12/06/2020
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new applications for universal credit have been received since 23 March 2020; how many of those claims resulted in an existing legacy benefit claim ending, and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that no recipient of legacy benefits is financially disadvantaged as a result of making a new application for universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Edinburgh East
tabling member printed	Tommy Sheppard
uin	59235
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2020 answer text <p>It has always been the case that, where claimants’ circumstances change significantly, their entitlement will be recalculated based on a new set of rules under a new benefit.</p><p>Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, DWP’s communications team has reacted quickly and across multiple platforms and mediums to help as many people as possible navigate the range of new and existing financial support available from the Government. This includes launching a new microsite within the “Understanding Universal Credit” website to help people understand the eligibility criteria of different support schemes and benefits and the interaction between the different support offers. Since this new content was launched in early March, it has received over 1.8 million page views.</p><p> </p><p>The Department continually makes improvements to the UC service in response to feedback and user research. Therefore, on 3 June we introduced a check-through box to remind claimants to check their eligibility before making a claim and to remind them that legacy benefits will cease when the UC claim is submitted and that they will not be able to return to them in the future, even if the claimant is not entitled to UC.</p><p> </p><p>DWP cannot advise individual claimants whether they would be better off moving to UC or remaining on legacy benefits. For this reason, prospective claimants are signposted to independent benefits calculators on GOV.UK.</p><p> </p><p>From 22 July 2020, a two-week run on of Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (IR) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (IB) will be available for all claimants whose claim to UC ends entitlement to these benefits to provide additional support for claimants moving to UC. This is in addition to the Transition to UC Housing Payment, a two-week extension of Housing Benefit, that is already in place.</p><p /><p>Data surrounding Universal Credit caseload growth at national, regional and constituency level is published at: <a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk </a></p><p> </p><p>Guidance for users is available at:</p><p><a href="https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html" target="_blank">https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html</a></p><p> </p><p>The latest Management Information on declarations to Universal Credit was published on 16 June 2020. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-declarations-claims-and-advances-management-information" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-declarations-claims-and-advances-management-information</a></p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 07/07/2020 12:43:06 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince previous answer version 29931 answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4453 label Biography information for Tommy Sheppard

1203347

registered interest
date	12/06/2020
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	Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the provision of covid-19 guidance in the workplace for (a) employers and (b) staff in the offshore oil and gas industry.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	59220
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a contributing member of the Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group (PSG), which also includes members from OGUK, helicopter operators, oil and gas companies, industry associations, medical professionals, Step Change in Safety (SCiS), Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and trade unions, including Unite and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.</p><p> </p><p>The PSG has developed and published a range of guidance for offshore oil and gas companies on measures required to manage the risks of COVID-19 infection. The PSG has also produced guidance specifically for the offshore workforce on the measures oil and gas companies should have in place to manage the risks of COVID-19 offshore: <a href="https://oilandgasuk.co.uk/covid-19/" target="_blank">https://oilandgasuk.co.uk/covid-19/</a> and <a href="https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/workgroups/covid-19/" target="_blank">https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/workgroups/covid-19/</a>. HSE has also supported the PSG in formulating Scottish Government sector guidance which supports working safely offshore during the COVID-19 pandemic: <a href="https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-resources-container/guidance-for-prevention-and-management-of-cases-of-covid-19-on-offshore-installations/" target="_blank">https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-resources-container/guidance-for-prevention-and-management-of-cases-of-covid-19-on-offshore-installations/</a>.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 22/06/2020 16:56:33 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1203348

registered interest
date	12/06/2020
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	Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and (b) Scottish Government on the (i) provision and (ii) uptake of public covid-19 test facilities for offshore oil and gas workers.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	59221
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State and I engage with a wide variety of stakeholders on a regular basis.</p><p>The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) supports the testing of offshore workers to identify and manage the risks from COVID-19. HSE has given its full support to the Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group (PSG) to help deliver testing for all offshore workers. HSE is in regular communication with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to further support the availability of testing for all offshore workers, including those who are asymptomatic.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 22/06/2020 16:52:02 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1203349

registered interest
date	12/06/2020
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	Wind Power: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) content and (b) availability of covid-19 workplace safety guidance for (i) employers and (ii) staff in the offshore wind industry; and when she last discussed that matter with that industry's representatives.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	59222
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>On 24<sup>th</sup> March 2020, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wrote to the offshore wind industry reminding employers of their legal duty to ensure the health and safety of their workforce. The letter also directed duty holders to the more detailed social distancing guidelines on the Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health Wales websites.</p><p> </p><p>On 26<sup>th</sup> March 2020, HSE met virtually with representatives of major industry duty holders and trade associations to discuss how the industry would comply with social distancing requirements. On 1<sup>st</sup> April 2020 the Renewable Energy Emergency Response Forum (“REEF”) held a meeting at which HSE, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Police and industry representatives agreed that each duty holder would develop their own arrangements to comply with their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, based on the above mentioned social distancing guidelines.</p><p> </p><p>Since then, HSE continues to contact offshore wind farm duty holders to check that they have suitable COVID-19 risk control measures in place.</p> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 24/06/2020 13:00:32 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1202800

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of support for (a) families of BAME children and (b) single mothers of BAME children living in poverty.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham East
tabling member printed	Nadia Whittome
uin	58836
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/07/2020 answer text <p>This Government provides a strong welfare safety net, and continues to spend over £95 billion a year on working age welfare benefits for those who need them.</p><p>We do not assess adequacy of benefits on the grounds of race.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 03/07/2020 14:08:02 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4869 label Biography information for Nadia Whittome

1202801

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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 plans her Department has to provide ongoing additional support through the social security system to families financially affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham East
tabling member printed	Nadia Whittome
uin	58837
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government has been clear with its commitment to support those affected in these difficult times and we have made a number of changes to the welfare system to ensure people are receiving the support they need. These changes include:</p><ul><li>making it easier to access benefits. Those applying for Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) who may have coronavirus, are self-isolating, or caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories, or individuals who have been advised to ’shield’ because they are at high risk of severe illness, will be entitled from day 1 of their claim – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the need for face-to-face assessments. Both Universal Credit (UC) and ESA can now be claimed online or by phone;</li><li>increasing the standard allowance of UC by up to £1,040 this year;</li><li>temporarily relaxing the application of the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed claimants affected by COVID-19 to ensure that the self-employed can access UC at a more generous rate;</li><li>making Statutory Sick Pay available from day 1 – as opposed to day 4 - where an eligible individual is sick or self-isolating; and</li><li>increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest 30% of local market rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.</li></ul><p>These steps form part of a wider package of measures which represent an investment of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system following the outbreak of COVID-19. These measures, along with the other job and business support programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support by an advanced economy.</p><p> </p><p>We know that circumstances can change rapidly, and that was particularly true at the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, which is why the Government will continue to keep the adequacy of its welfare response under review.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/06/2020 16:29:39 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4869 label Biography information for Nadia Whittome

1202802

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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 recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of continuing additional support for vulnerable social security claimants after the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham East
tabling member printed	Nadia Whittome
uin	58838
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government has been clear with its commitment to support those affected in these difficult times and we have made a number of changes to the welfare system to ensure people are receiving the support they need. These changes include:</p><ul><li>making it easier to access benefits. Those applying for Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) who may have coronavirus, are self-isolating, or caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories, or individuals who have been advised to ’shield’ because they are at high risk of severe illness, will be entitled from day 1 of their claim – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the need for face-to-face assessments. Both Universal Credit (UC) and ESA can now be claimed online or by phone;</li><li>increasing the standard allowance of UC by up to £1,040 this year;</li><li>temporarily relaxing the application of the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed claimants affected by COVID-19 to ensure that the self-employed can access UC at a more generous rate;</li><li>making Statutory Sick Pay available from day 1 – as opposed to day 4 - where an eligible individual is sick or self-isolating; and</li><li>increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest 30% of local market rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.</li></ul><p>These steps form part of a wider package of measures which represent an investment of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system following the outbreak of COVID-19. These measures, along with the other job and business support programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support by an advanced economy.</p><p> </p><p>We know that circumstances can change rapidly, and that was particularly true at the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, which is why the Government will continue to keep the adequacy of its welfare response under review.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 23/06/2020 16:35:17 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4869 label Biography information for Nadia Whittome

1202830

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	Debts: 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 has made an assessment of the implications for her policies of the report entitled, Coronavirus and personal debt: a financial recovery strategy for households published by Stepchange in June 2020; and if she will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	58714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government notes this report and contents. It has introduced a suite of measures that can be quickly and effectively operationalised which benefit those facing the most financial disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes, part of an injection to welfare worth over £6.5bn, include:</p><ul><li>making it easier to access benefits. Those applying for Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) who may have coronavirus, are self-isolating, or caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories, or individuals who have been advised to ’shield’ because they are at high risk of severe illness, will be entitled from day 1 of their claim – as opposed to day 8 - and we have removed the need for face-to-face assessment. Both Universal Credit (UC) and ESA can now be claimed by phone or online;</li><li>increasing the standard allowance of UC by up to £1,040 this year;</li><li>temporarily relaxing the application of the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed claimants;</li><li>making Statutory Sick Pay available from day 1 – as opposed to day 4 - where an eligible individual is sick or self-isolating; and</li><li>increasing in the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the lowest 30% of local market rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets.</li></ul><p>These measures, along with the other job and business support programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support by an advanced economy.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 24/06/2020 13:07:28 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1202831

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	Debts: Coronavirus
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 implications for her policies of the recommendations of the Stepchange report Coronavirus and personal debt: a financial recovery strategy for households, published June 2020, on ending the five week wait for universal credit.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	58715
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2020 answer text <p>The Universal Credit assessment period and payment structure are fundamental parts of the design and the current advance system works, and works quickly. It is not possible to award a Universal Credit payment as soon as a claim is made, as the assessment period must run its course before the award of Universal Credit can be calculated.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are in place to ensure financial support is available to those in need as soon as possible, with most claimants able to request an advance of up to 100% of the monthly amount they are due to receive.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 19/06/2020 13:58:43 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1202838

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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, whether she has plans to extend the three month suspension of face-to-face benefit assessments.
tabling member constituency	North Tyneside
tabling member printed	Mary Glindon
uin	58708
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 June 2020 to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-06-01/52251/" target="_blank">UIN 52251</a>.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 16/06/2020 13:58:50 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4126 label Biography information for Mary Glindon