This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by all carers, young or old in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society including pensioners and those with disabilities.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government thinks it is important that carers can maintain links with the education system and so carers are able to undertake part-time education and still receive Carer\u2019s Allowance. However, there are no plans to change the current 21 hour study rule as we think it is right that people in full-time education should be supported by the educational maintenance system, via its range of loans and grants, rather than the social security benefit system. That is why, as a general principle, full-time students are usually precluded from entitlement to income-related and income-maintenance benefits. Many college courses are provided on the basis of 16 hours a week supervised study so we have been working with the Learning and Work Institute and colleges to increase awareness of the Carer\u2019s Allowance study rules.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-17T13:57:53.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Carer's Allowance: Young People"} , "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, whether she has plans exempt young adult carers from the 21-hour study in relation to the carer\u2019s allowance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4391", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Judith Cummins"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bradford South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Judith Cummins"} ], "uin" : "201692"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023921", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023921/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Individual government departments have long established complaints procedures. That approach has not changed under Labour governments 1997-2010 or successive governments. The DWP has a two tier complaints process which considers formal complaints about our service. <\/strong>Once a complainant has exhausted the DWP complaint process they are signposted to the Independent Case Examiner\u2019s Office if they are dissatisfied with the final response to their complaint. The Independent Case Examiner is independent.<\/p> The table below provides information on the method by which complaints submitted to the Independent Case Examiner\u2019s (ICE) Office, concerning changes to women\u2019s State Pension age, were closed.<\/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" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "201695"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-17T15:27:52.567Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_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, how many complaints of maladministration from women born in the 1950s relating to the change in their state pension age have been submitted to her Department\u2019s Independent Case Examiner in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4630", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ben Lake"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ceredigion"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ben Lake"}
], "uin" : "201694"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023922", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023922/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Individual government departments have long established complaints procedures. That approach has not changed under Labour governments 1997-2010 or successive governments. The DWP has a two tier complaints process which considers formal complaints about our service. <\/strong>Once a complainant has exhausted the DWP complaint process they are signposted to the Independent Case Examiner\u2019s Office if they are dissatisfied with the final response to their complaint. The Independent Case Examiner is independent.<\/p> The table below provides information on the method by which complaints submitted to the Independent Case Examiner\u2019s (ICE) Office, concerning changes to women\u2019s State Pension age, were closed.<\/p> <\/ins><\/p> <\/p> Reason for complaint closure<\/ins><\/p><\/td> Number<\/ins> <\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr> (a) Resolved (we have interpreted this as meaning closed following issue of an ICE investigation report)<\/ins><\/p><\/td> 192<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr> (b) Rejected (the complaint failed to meet the ICE acceptance criteria)<\/ins><\/p><\/td> 1,598<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr> (c) Paused for other reasons (includes withdrawn complaints and those closed following a High Court decision to grant permission for a Judicial Review of the Departments handling of the change to women\u2019s State Pension age \u2013 it is not within the ICE remit to consider issues which are, or have been, subject to legal proceedings.)<\/ins><\/p><\/td> 2,506<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/strong><\/ins><\/p> The Independent Case Examiner\u2019s Office received the first complaints from women relating to changes in their state pension age in October 2016. The table below provides details of the numbers received in each of the past three reporting years.<\/ins><\/p> Year (April to March)<\/ins><\/p><\/td> Number received<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016/2017<\/ins><\/p><\/td> 243<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017/2018<\/ins><\/p><\/td> 2981<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018/2019 (to 13 December 2018)<\/ins><\/p><\/td> 1072<\/ins><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023922/answer/previousversion/92203", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4142", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Guy Opperman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hexham"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Guy Opperman"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-17T15:27:52.6Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-18T17:16:19.993Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_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, how many complaints of maladministration from women born in the 1950s relating to the change in their state pension age submitted to her Department\u2019s Independent Case Examiner have been (a) resolved, (b) rejected, (c) closed for other reasons.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4630", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ben Lake"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ceredigion"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ben Lake"}
], "uin" : "201695"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023971", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1023971/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " A claimant in hospital, regardless of their condition, has a range of options open to them to support them through their Universal Credit claim if they are unable to complete it themselves online.<\/p> <\/p> Those claimants who are unable to claim online are able to make their claim by telephone and in exceptional circumstances, a hospital visit may be considered. During this visit, the visiting officer will support the claimant to make a telephony claim. If the claimant requires a hospital visit, the date of the claim will be the date of first contact, even if the claimant is not actually able to complete the claim on that same day. In cases in which the claimant is unable to manage their own affairs due to mental incapability or severe physical disability an appointee can be agreed to act on behalf of the claimant in all interactions with the Department.<\/p> <\/p> All claimants receive continuous tailored support through their personal work coaches and all DWP staff in customer facing roles receive training on supporting claimants that report a health condition or disability, including those claimants who report a terminal illness. The Department are committed to ensuring that terminally ill patients are treated with sensitivity and care and receive the support they need to make a claim to Universal Credit.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, staff can use our District Provision Tool to signpost claimants to relevant information about local support services. This digital tool lists local and national provision and support delivered by Jobcentre Plus, Skills Funding Agency, Skills Development Scotland, Careers Wales, other providers, local authorities, and independent and volunteer organisations.<\/p> Over 3 million more people are in work, and unemployment is lower in all regions and nations of the UK than in 2010. Youth unemployment has almost halved in this time, and there has been an increase in female and older worker employment. However, DWP, along with other departments and agencies continues to focus on the labour market and its challenges. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published the \u2018Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future\u2019 white paper in November 2017. This sets out a plan for how local strategies can work together to increase local opportunities.<\/p> <\/p> Jobcentre staff play an important role by offering advice and support to help jobseekers gain the relevant skills required to be able to take up jobs that are available in their communities. Roll-out of Universal Credit Full Service was completed earlier this month and across the country and gives our work coaches the flexibility to offer tailored support to claimants.<\/p> <\/p> Government also provides The National Careers Service and works with local partners to provide opportunities for people. The range of support available may include:<\/p> <\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-21T11:50:54.34Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Unemployment"}
, "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 steps she is taking to increase job opportunities in communities with an unemployment rate higher than the national average.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4614", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Hugh Gaffney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Hugh Gaffney"}
], "uin" : "201710"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024002", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1024002/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Monthly official experimental statistics on the number of people on Universal Credit, starts and claims, are published at:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics<\/a><\/p> <\/p> Further breakdowns of claims by country, parliamentary constituency and local authority and also a breakdown of starts by postcode, since April 2018 are available on Stat Xplore at:<\/p> https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/<\/a>.<\/p> Quarterly official statistics Universal Credit decisions are published at:<\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/jobseekers-allowance-sanctions<\/a><\/p> <\/p> Further breakdowns of sanction decisions by country, parliamentary constituency and local authority since April 2018 are available on Stat-Xplore at:<\/p> https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/<\/a>.<\/p> Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:<\/p>