{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2024-05-21T14%3A49%3A59.997Z&min-ddpModified.=2024-04-15T20%3A39%3A20.599Z", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2024-05-21T14%3A49%3A59.997Z&min-ddpModified.=2024-04-15T20%3A39%3A20.599Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2024-05-21T14%3A49%3A59.997Z&_metadata=all&min-ddpModified.=2024-04-15T20%3A39%3A20.599Z", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&_page=0&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2024-05-21T14%3A49%3A59.997Z&min-ddpModified.=2024-04-15T20%3A39%3A20.599Z", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2024-05-21T14%3A49%3A59.997Z&min-ddpModified.=2024-04-15T20%3A39%3A20.599Z", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?answeringDeptShortName=Work+and+Pensions&min-questionFirstAnswered.=2024-05-21T14%3A49%3A59.997Z&min-ddpModified.=2024-04-15T20%3A39%3A20.599Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737387", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737387/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Official statistics for the number of people unemployed and economically inactive are published each month by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimated using the Labour Force Survey.<\/p>

<\/p>

The ONS headline labour market statistics define working age as between 16 and 64 years old. The latest statistics show 10.61 million people are of working age currently out of work in the UK (June-August 2024) \u2013 1.347 million who are unemployed and 9.263 million who are economically inactive. Of the 9.263 million who are economically inactive, 2.491 million are students and 1.674 million are looking after family/home.<\/p>

<\/p>

Unemployment (000's)<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

1,347<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

<\/p><\/td>

<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Economic inactivity by reason (000's)<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Student<\/p><\/td>

2,491<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Looking after family / home<\/p><\/td>

1,674<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Temp sick<\/p><\/td>

201<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Long-term sick<\/p><\/td>

2,750<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Discouraged workers<\/p><\/td>

33<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Retired<\/p><\/td>

1,079<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Other<\/p><\/td>

1,035<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

<\/p><\/td>

<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Total (000's)<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

10,610<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4083", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison McGovern"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alison McGovern"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-31T14:39:53.357Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_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 estimate her Department has made of the total number of people of working age currently out of work.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5158", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Great Yarmouth"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rupert Lowe"} ], "uin" : "11392"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737514", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737514/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The department has no plans to negotiate reciprocal agreements with Commonwealth countries on uprating UK pensions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-31T14:08:17.067Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pensions: Commonwealth"} , "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 plans to negotiate reciprocal agreements with Commonwealth countries on uprating UK pensions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5216", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Devon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Voaden"} ], "uin" : "11488"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737528", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737528/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

All Disability Living Allowance (DLA) staff receive extensive training in the DLA customer journey and have an awareness of other benefits. When claiming Disability Living Allowance, a detailed notification and an additional leaflet are also issued to the customer which explain wider benefit entitlement options and we also encourage customers to visit the Gov.uk website which provides details of additional benefits they may be entitled to.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-31T12:04:25.193Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Disability Living Allowance"} , "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 ensure that staff administering Disability Living Allowance claims provide claimants with a complete understanding of the benefits they are entitled to receive.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5279", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jayne Kirkham"} ], "uin" : "11502"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737529", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737529/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

PIP assessment accuracy and quality is a priority for both suppliers and the department. The department works extensively with suppliers to make improvements to guidance, training, and audit procedures to ensure a quality service. A high standard is always maintained through an independent audit function that continually monitors performance and provides feedback to its suppliers.<\/p>

<\/p>

DWP have a comprehensive and on-going quality assurance process in the decision-making journey and work closely with colleagues in Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), who are responsible for reconsiderations and appeals, to understand and learn from decisions that are changed. This also helps to maintain standards and consistency.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Health Transformation Programme (HTP) is modernising Health and Disability benefit services to create a more efficient service and an improved claimant experience, building trust in our services and decisions. The HTP Evaluation Strategy, published here<\/a> on GOV.UK, provides an overview of our plans to evaluate the Programme.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-31T14:45:47.807Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment"} , "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 ensure the accuracy of PIP assessment decisions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5279", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jayne Kirkham"} ], "uin" : "11503"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737135", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1737135/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Security in retirement is a key priority for this Government<\/p>

<\/p>

We are undertaking a landmark Pensions Review, the second phase of which will consider further steps to improve pension outcomes, including assessing pension adequacy. This will consider options to build on the success of Automatic Enrolment, which has turned millions of people into pension savers.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-31T12:02:26.047Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Workplace Pensions"} , "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 assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the criteria for auto-enrolment for workplace pensions in the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Act 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4813", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Richard Holden"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Basildon and Billericay"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Richard Holden"} ], "uin" : "11172"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736876", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736876/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates were restored to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024 for one year.<\/p>

<\/p>

Decisions on LHA for future years will be taken in the context of the Government\u2019s missions, housing priorities, and the fiscal context.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/163", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Ham"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Stephen Timms"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-29T11:37:58.023Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Housing Allowance"} , "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, if she will make it her policy to maintain the link between Local Housing Allowance rates and rent cost increases each year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5122", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stratford-on-Avon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Manuela Perteghella"} ], "uin" : "11087"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736897", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736897/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The rates of Pension Credit are reviewed annually as part of the Secretary of State\u2019s statutory review of State pension and benefit rates. The review for 2025/26 has been completed and its conclusions announced to Parliament. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will increase from £218.15 to £227.10 a week for a single pensioner and from £332.95 to £346.60 a week for a pensioner couple. The new rates will take effect from 7 April 2025.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-31T14:06:33.673Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pension Credit"} , "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 assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current threshold for pension credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4667", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Amesbury"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Runcorn and Helsby"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mike Amesbury"} ], "uin" : "11033"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736898", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736898/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The department published information on 27th<\/sup> September on the number of applications between 1 April 2024 and 22 September 2024<\/a>. This showed a 152% increase in applications in the 8 weeks following the 29 July 2024 Winter Fuel Payment announcement by the chancellor.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Department has announced its plan to publish<\/a> updated information on Pension Credit Applications and Awards on 28 November 2024. We are currently unable to provide information at the geographic levels requested and the 28 November 2024 statistical release is currently planned to include data at the national level.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-10-29T15:57:15.22Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pension Credit"} , "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 additional applications for pension credit have been accepted in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) North West of England and (e) Runcorn and Helsby constituency in the last four months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4667", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Amesbury"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Runcorn and Helsby"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mike Amesbury"} ], "uin" : "11034"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736911", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1736911/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Government has set an ambition to get to an 80% employment rate, alongside raising living standards and tackling insecurity at work. The Government plans to tackle economic inactivity, support people into good work and help them to progress.<\/p>

Proposed reforms include: <\/strong><\/p>