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1121339

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Apprentices: Age
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether apprenticeships are age restricted; and whether they are designed to entice any particular demographic.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	244092
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Education is responsible for the apprenticeship programme in England.</p><p>Individuals in England can apply for an apprenticeship whilst they are still at school but must be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start an apprenticeship. There is no upper age limit. Apprenticeships offer people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to earn whilst they learn.</p><p>We are encouraging participation from under-represented groups, including people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with a learning disability or learning difficulty, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, so that everyone can benefit from the increased wage returns and employment prospects that apprenticeships offer. We are also working to improve gender representation in sectors where it is needed, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Guildford answering member printed Anne Milton question first answered 24/04/2019 09:48:02 answering member 1523 label Biography information for Anne Milton
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1121342

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Department for International Development: Brexit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many staff in her Department received notice to be on standby for redeployment to support essential work related to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; and in which countries do those staff work.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	243999
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2019 answer text <p>DFID has undertaken prioritisation work and has reviewed delivery plans with these principles in mind to allow the department to successfully deliver EU Exit whilst protecting essential business. Staff deemed as deployable were then matched provisionally to roles, therefore placed on standby to deploy, should they be required.</p><p> </p><p>As a result of recent developments, DFID is working closely with other government departments and the Cabinet Office to plan for the return of staff deployed onto no deal planning. All 48 DFID staff who were on standby to be deployed have now been stood down.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 24/04/2019 13:47:59 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1121344

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water: Prices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that water services are affordable for older people.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	244155
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s November 2017 ‘S<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661803/sps-ofwat-2017.pdf" target="_blank">trategic policy statement</a> to Ofwat’, the economic regulator for the water industry, challenged the water industry to do more for vulnerable customers in England, including older people. In Ofwat’s Price Review 2019 process in which water companies set out their business plans for 2020-25, Ofwat required companies to set out in their business plans how they would better identify and support those customers who need financial help. Work on the plans is ongoing.</p><p> </p><p>Current support includes the Government mandated WaterSure scheme which enables water companies to cap bills for eligible low income customers using a lot of water for essential family or health reasons. All water companies also offer schemes, known as social tariffs, for eligible customers on low incomes or receiving specific benefits. Approximately 400,000 household customers currently benefit from such water bill support schemes.</p><p> </p><p>Legislative powers recently put in place in the Digital Economy Act 2017 allow data sharing between water companies and other organisations, including Government departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions. This will help companies identify and consequently provide support to more customers who may need help with their bills.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 23/04/2019 10:22:02 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1121345

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
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: 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 the Government is taking to ensure that older people claim the benefits they are entitled to.
tabling member constituency	Motherwell and Wishaw
tabling member printed	Marion Fellows
uin	244156
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on <a href="https://gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://gov.uk/</a>, in leaflets and by telephone. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p> </p><p>One of the best ways to reach eligible customers is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up. It can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit</a></p><p> </p><p>The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Most recently we have provided to relevant organisations a fact sheet about Pension Credit and forthcoming changes for couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.</p><p> </p><p>The majority of people of pension age in receipt of a State Pension or another social security benefit receive their annual winter fuel payment automatically without the need to make a claim.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman grouped question UIN 244000 question first answered 23/04/2019 16:29:34 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
tabling member	4440 label Biography information for Marion Fellows

1121346

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax: Care Leavers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his department holds on the extent to which immediate care leavers are liable to pay the full rate of council tax for the property they are living in.
tabling member constituency	Oxford East
tabling member printed	Anneliese Dodds
uin	244172
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>Many local authorities use their discretionary powers under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to offer council tax discounts to care leavers. Information on such discounts is not collected centrally.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 23/04/2019 10:19:44 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4657 label Biography information for Anneliese Dodds

1121347

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Royal Bank of Scotland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the planned timeframe for the publication of a report on the second phase of its investigation into the Royal Bank of Scotland's Global Restructuring Group.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	244146
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>On 31 July 2018, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced it would publish a fuller account of its findings following the conclusion of its investigation into the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Global Restructuring Group.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA is an independent non-governmental body. In view of this independence, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on the timeframe for the publication of the FCA’s findings.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Salisbury answering member printed John Glen question first answered 23/04/2019 13:04:47 answering member 4051 label Biography information for John Glen
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1121348

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
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: EEA Nationals and EU Nationals
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many EU and EEA nationals (a) have made a claim for universal credit and (b) have had that claim rejected in each of the last 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Airdrie and Shotts
tabling member printed	Neil Gray
uin	244127
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Reading West answering member printed Alok Sharma question first answered 23/04/2019 10:45:35 answering member 4014 label Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma
tabling member	4365 label Biography information for Neil Gray

1121349

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
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: Multiple Sclerosis
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in reference to research published by the MS Society in March 2019, whether her Department has plans to undertake a review the effect of the introduction of the 20-metre rule for personal independence payment on costs to other Departments.
tabling member constituency	South Cambridgeshire
tabling member printed	Heidi Allen
uin	244173
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>The enhanced rate of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Mobility component was always intended to be for those &quot;unable&quot; or &quot;virtually unable&quot; to walk.</p><p>We believe the current PIP assessment criteria, including the 20 metres distance, are the best way of identifying those whose physical mobility is most limited.</p><p>Senior Officials are in contact with the MS Society and will be meeting them in the coming weeks to discuss the latest research.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 23/04/2019 14:33:16 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4516 label Biography information for Heidi Allen

1121350

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
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: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of disabled people who have had to leave work as a result of receiving lower rates of support from personal independence payment in comparison to disability living allowance.
tabling member constituency	South Cambridgeshire
tabling member printed	Heidi Allen
uin	244174
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>No such estimate has been made. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be paid to disabled people irrespective of their employment status and, as such, no details of an individual’s employment status are gathered during the course of their claim or award.</p><p> </p><p>PIP is a more modern, dynamic and fairer benefit than its predecessor, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and focuses support on those experiencing the greatest barriers to living independently. 31% of people claiming PIP receive the highest level of support, compared to 15% of DLA’s working-age claimants and 39% of reassessment claimants are getting a higher award on PIP compared to when they were on DLA.</p><p>People with a health condition or disability, who require additional support getting to and from work, can apply for an Access to Work grant.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 23/04/2019 14:10:07 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	4516 label Biography information for Heidi Allen

1121351

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Vacancies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which sectors are facing labour shortages; and what steps he plans to take with cabinet colleagues to support future recruitment and training for those sectors.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	244062
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Education’s (DfE) Employer Skills Survey provides a comprehensive picture of labour and skills shortages by sector, occupation and region across the UK. DfE is running the survey later this year, with publication expected in Spring 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is already working to support recruitment and training across the UK for different sectors through the Industrial Strategy. This sets out a long-term plan to boost productivity and earning power across the country, including through the four Grand Challenges, which position the UK at the forefront of the industries of the future.</p><p> </p><p>Through the Industrial Strategy, we committed £406m investment in education and skills. In addition, through this year’s Autumn Budget the Government has invested over £1bn to support students throughout their education and give people the tools they need to succeed in the new economy.</p><p> </p><p>Our reforms to the skills system place employers at the centre, making the system more responsive to deliver the skills employers need and which the economy demands.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 23/04/2019 16:29:34 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin