People who are subject to the benefit cap still receive benefits that are equivalent of gross family earnings of £25K, and £29K in London. If this is not enough money to secure a tenancy, the claimant can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) which can be given in advance to help secure a property. The DHP guidance explicitly states that funding should be aimed at individuals or families fleeing domestic violence.<\/p>
We have commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out some research into the new lower, tiered Benefit Cap and we are working with the Institute for Fiscal Studies to peer review in-house analysis on the impacts of the lower benefit cap on capped households. It is expected that a full evaluation report will be produced around the end of 2018.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3349", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Buscombe"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Buscombe"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL1460"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-19T15:39:57.963Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing: Domestic Abuse"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reduction in the benefit cap on housing availability for victims with children under two who have fled abusive partners and who are currently (1) residing in a refuge, and (2) residing in other forms of temporary accommodation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Gale"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Gale"} ], "uin" : "HL1459"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758589", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758589/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
People who are subject to the benefit cap still receive benefits that are equivalent of gross family earnings of £25K, and £29K in London. If this is not enough money to secure a tenancy, the claimant can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) which can be given in advance to help secure a property. The DHP guidance explicitly states that funding should be aimed at individuals or families fleeing domestic violence.<\/p>
We have commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out some research into the new lower, tiered Benefit Cap and we are working with the Institute for Fiscal Studies to peer review in-house analysis on the impacts of the lower benefit cap on capped households. It is expected that a full evaluation report will be produced around the end of 2018.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3349", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Buscombe"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Buscombe"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL1459"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-19T15:39:57.9Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing: Domestic Abuse"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to assess the impact of the lower benefit cap on the length of a victim\u2019s stay in a domestic abuse refuge, and the resulting cost to the taxpayer.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2503", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Gale"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Gale"} ], "uin" : "HL1460"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758769", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758769/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Children and young people with serious or critical illnesses such as cancer are able to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if they are aged under 16 or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if aged 16 and above. DLA and PIP are tax free allowances, which are designed to contribute to the extra costs incurred as a result of long-term health conditions and/or disabilities. Children and young people in receipt of DLA or PIP can receive up to £141.10 a week. Entitlement to DLA and PIP depends on the effects that severe disability has on a person\u2019s life and not on a particular disability or diagnosis. This is because people living with the same illnesses or disabilities may not necessarily have the same care or mobility needs.<\/p>
<\/p>
Special considerations do however apply to children and adults who are terminally ill, and our arrangements recognise the particular difficulties faced by people who have only a short time to live. Their claims are fast-tracked and they are awarded the highest rate of the care component of DLA and the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP automatically without having to complete a qualifying period. This means that, if they claim straight away, they can get benefit as soon as they have been diagnosed as being terminally ill. The arrangements ensure that claims are dealt with quickly and sensitively. The legislation defines a person as terminally ill if \u2018he suffers from a progressive disease and his death can reasonably be expected within six months\u2019.<\/p>
<\/p>
People over the age of 16 who are unable to work due to an illness or disability can claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) which has both a contributory strand accessible via a National Insurance contribution test and an income-related strand accessible via an income test. For cancer sufferers, a light touch evidence gathering process exists, to help determine eligibility. There is also a presumption that claimants receiving or recovering from cancer treatment will be placed in the Support Group which could entitle them to up to £109.65 per week, subject to suitable evidence from a healthcare professional such as a GP or oncologist.<\/p>
<\/p>
Carers may also be able to qualify for Carer\u2019s Allowance, which is currently £62.70 a week if they meet the eligibility criteria.<\/p>
<\/p>
Trudi Hills, our Sector champion for banking, has been working with Macmillan to improve how the banking industry supports people when they receive a cancer diagnosis<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4017", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Penny Mordaunt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Penny Mordaunt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "9397"} , {"_value" : "9398"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-18T15:41:29.357Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cancer"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial support the Government provides to people who have terminal cancer and their families.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"} ], "uin" : "9396"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758858", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758858/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The evidential basis for the projected increase in longevity for women affected by the Pensions Act 2011 is summarised in the Pensions Act 2011 impact assessment:<\/p>
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181462/pensions-bill-2011-ia-annexa.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> Paragraphs 3 to 6 of the impact assessment illustrate the latest cohort life expectancies for the UK population, from the 2010-based principle population projections, which were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A comparison is made with cohort life expectancies from the 2004-based principle population projections published by the Government Actuary\u2019s Department, which were used to inform the Pensions Act 2007. The impact assessment showed that, compared with the 2004-based projections, life expectancy at state pension age in 2010 had increased by 1 year for males and by 1.3 years for females.<\/p> <\/p> The 1991 discussion paper \u201cOptions for equality in State Pension age\u201d and the 1993 White Paper \u201cEquality in State Pension age\u201d, which informed the Pensions Act 1995, used previous life expectancy projections from the Government Actuary\u2019s Department.<\/p> <\/p> Life expectancy is projected to continue to increase in future years (according to the latest 2014-based projections from the ONS). In forty years\u2019 time, in 2057, average life expectancy at age 65 is projected to be over 4 years higher than it is now. By 2064 (the end of the current projection period) a baby girl will be expected to live to almost 100 (99.8 years).<\/p> <\/p> These life expectancy projections were an important input into the government\u2019s review of State Pension age which was published in July of this year. As part of the review, government commissioned an independent report, led by John Cridland CBE, and a report from the Government Actuary. Both reports drew extensively on the life expectancy projections from the ONS.<\/p> <\/p> The next set of life expectancy projections from the ONS are due out later this year and every two years thereafter. The regular State Pension age reviews, at least every six years, will provide a structured framework for the Government to respond to any changes in the projections in the longer term.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-09-14T16:14:05.707Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-09-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "State Retirement Pensions: Females"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the evidential basis is for the projected increase in longevity for women affected by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4410", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Knight"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Solihull"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Julian Knight"}
], "uin" : "9304"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758859", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/758859/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to supporting people aged 50 years and over to remain in and return to work. The number of older women in work is now at a record high: there are around 1 million more women aged 50+ in work than in 2010.<\/p> <\/p> Government has reformed legislation to create the right framework to support Fuller Working Lives. We have removed the Default Retirement Age, meaning it is now unlawful to dismiss someone just because they reach age 65.<\/p> We have also extended the right to request flexible working beyond those with caring needs, meaning people can discuss with their employers options for allowing choice about how and when they retire. And we have introduced pensions freedoms, to allow people aged 55 and over greater freedom and choice in how and when they access their pension savings.<\/p> <\/p> On 2 February 2017 we published Fuller Working Lives: A Partnership Approach, which aims to increase the retention, retraining and recruitment of older workers by bringing about a change in the perceptions & attitudes of employers, and to challenge views of working in later life and retirement amongst individuals. The Strategy and supporting evidence base are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuller-working-lives-a-partnership-approach<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>