The Government introduced a package of temporary welfare measures worth around £9.3 billion this year to help with the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the £20 weekly increase to the Universal Credit Standard Allowance rates as a temporary measure for the 20/21 tax year.<\/p>
<\/p>
We are continuing to work with the Treasury on the best ways to support those receiving benefits.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p>"}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Stedman-Scott"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-02T14:27:56.983Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the £20 per week increase in the standard rate of Universal Credit to people remaining on legacy benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"}
], "uin" : "HL9476"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1246440", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1246440/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We have no plans to do this. Our focus remains firmly on ensuring that millions of new and existing claimants continue to receive their payments on time, and that we do everything possible to support people back into work where it is right to do so.<\/p> <\/p> Nobody has to wait for five weeks for a Universal Credit (UC) payment. New Claims Advances are available which allow claimants to receive up to 100 per cent of their estimated UC payment upfront so that new claimants will receive their annual award over 13 payments during their first year, instead of 12. These advances are not loans.<\/p> <\/p> The Department has announced that from October 2021, the maximum recovery period is increasing from 12 to 24 months for new claim and benefit transfer advances and that we are reducing the normal maximum level of deductions from a claimant\u2019s UC Standard Allowance to 25 per cent, down from 30 per cent.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4174", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott"}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Stedman-Scott"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-02T14:37:12.81Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to replace Universal Credit Advance Payment loans with grants or 'starter payments' to reduce applicants' accrual of debt during the five-week waiting period.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"}
], "uin" : "HL9477"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1246441", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1246441/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department for Work and Pensions recognises that vulnerable claimants may need additional support managing their money. Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) are available to help Universal Credit (UC) claimants have their award paid differently. This can involve housing costs being paid directly to a claimant\u2019s landlord, receiving twice monthly instead of monthly payments and/or having the UC award split between two members of a couple.<\/p> <\/p> APAs can be considered at any point during the UC claim. Crucially, these arrangements are intended only for vulnerable claimants who need targeted, additional support in managing their money \u2013 for example, claimants with dependency issues, learning difficulties, significant debts and/or victims of domestic abuse.<\/p> <\/p> The Department already publicises APAs. UC work coaches have clear guidance to help them identify when an APA may be appropriate and will always consider any APA that would best support the claimant. Identifying vulnerabilities is a key element of the work coach role and allows the Department to tailor the support it offers to each claimant. In addition, landlords and support organisations are aware of this provision and can request an APA be considered at any time for claimants they are supporting. GOV.UK also includes APAs as part of the additional financial support available to UC claimants<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4174", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott"}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Stedman-Scott"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-04T17:33:57.023Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publicise and promote the Alternative Payment Arrangements for Universal Credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"}
], "uin" : "HL9478"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1246442", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1246442/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Glasgow provides a safe haven and welcome to Asylum Seekers and we are very grateful for the support the city provides.<\/p> We are committed to ensuring that the services provided to the people we support are of the required quality. The Home Office has commissioned an evaluation of the accommodation and support services offered to asylum seekers in Glasgow during COVID-19 \u2013 seeking feedback from MPs and the voluntary sector.<\/p> Meanwhile the Home Office continues to work with Glasgow City Council (GCC) LA and the Scottish Government via the Glasgow Partnership Board and the Regional Delivery and Procurement Group regular (currently bi weekly meetings) to explore all accommodation procurement options available and ensure appropriate support is provided.<\/p> However, the Home Office does not directly commission health services. These are provided through the Asylum Health Bridging Team, part of the Glasgow City Council Health and Social Care Partnership.<\/p> It should also be noted that the reduction of contingency accommodation in Glasgow is dependent upon both LA sign off for accommodation procurement requests and the progressing those cases that are in the LAs remit including working with Home Office to process cases that have had their asylum application concluded.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-06T11:38:30.72Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Glasgow"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve the management of temporary accommodation for asylum applicants in Glasgow; whether they intend to consult (1) the Scottish Refugee Council, and (2) Glasgow MPs, on this matter; and whether any such consultation will incorporate (a) mental health provision, and (b) the use of contractors.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"}
], "uin" : "HL9479"}
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