Topical Questions 2024-11-11

2024-11-11

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Calum Miller Lib Dem
Bicester and Woodstock
Context
The government's budget introduced changes in the Department for Work and Pensions.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The Budget took steps towards driving up opportunity and reducing poverty across the country, including additional funding for plans to get Britain working, improvements to universal credit repayment rates, and measures to reduce fraud and error in benefits systems.
The Budget took steps towards driving up opportunity and reducing poverty across the country, including additional funding for plans to get Britain working, improvements to universal credit repayment rates, and measures to reduce fraud and error in benefits systems.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Calum Miller Lib Dem
Bicester and Woodstock
Context
A constituent, Kevin, has struggled to find job support due to a medical condition.
My constituent Kevin had to stop work in 2018 due to a medical condition. He is desperate to find a job but consistently finds he is not eligible for support from his local jobcentre. Kevin asked me how someone who has fallen out of work can get back into work. Will the Secretary of State or a Minister meet me to discuss Kevin's case?
The hon. Gentleman raises an extremely important point. It is not right that his constituent, who wants to work, has suffered from a mental health problem but does not have the support that he needs. In parts of the country, steps have been taken to help provide the healthcare and other support that people need, but we need to go further, faster. My hon. Friend the Minister for Employment will indeed meet the hon. Gentleman.
Assessment & feedback
Specific meeting arrangements were not confirmed with concrete details.
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Josh Dean Lab
Hertford and Stortford
Context
Rules introduced under the previous government prevent jobcentres from referring benefits claimants to food banks, impacting vulnerable individuals.
On my recent visit to Hertford and Ware food bank, hard-working volunteers raised with me the damaging impact of rules introduced under the previous Conservative Government, which prevent jobcentres from referring benefits claimants to food banks. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those changes prevent some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from accessing support in an emergency?
There have been changes to ensure that referrals are GDPR-compliant, but I will happily discuss this issue with my hon. Friend. The very best jobcentres are closely linked with local support organisations, and we must ensure that that is the case everywhere.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to reverse rules not provided.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Helen Whately Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Context
Labour's first budget is expected to cost the country 50,000 jobs in the next few years.
The Conservatives are the party of work and aspiration, and once again, we left office with unemployment at a historic low. We all know that Labour always leaves unemployment higher than when it came into office, but rarely has it seemed in such a hurry to achieve that. Its first Budget will, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, cost the country 50,000 jobs in the next few years alone.
May I gently say this to the hon. Lady? She should be apologising, because we have record numbers of people out of work due to long-term sickness; one in eight young people is not in education, employment or training; and people are locked out of the world of work because the Conservatives failed to make proper plans to get people with long-term sickness into work—£25 billion extra over the course of the forecast period—they will remain on the Opposition Benches.
Assessment & feedback
Criticising Opposition
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Q5 Partial Answer
Helen Whately Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Context
Continuation of the WorkWell programme is acknowledged by the government.
I wonder if the Secretary of State did not hear my earlier question; I said that I was grateful that she is continuing the work that we did in government, through the WorkWell programme, to help people in ill health into work by joining up healthcare and employment. However, the point I was just making, to which she did not respond, was that 50,000 jobs will be lost as a result of Labour's Budget.
I am very proud of a Budget that invests in the long-term growth that this country needs, that gives a pay rise to the 3 million lowest-paid workers, and that invests in the NHS so that people can get back to health and back to work. That is the change that this country desperately needs.
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Q6 Direct Answer
Ben Goldsborough Lab
South Norfolk
Context
USDAW has produced an estimate that around three quarters of workers in typically low-paid sectors are paid weekly, fortnightly or four-weekly rather than monthly.
As a proud member of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, I want to raise with the Minister the amazing work that it has done to produce the estimate that around three quarters of workers in typically low-paid sectors are paid weekly, fortnightly or four-weekly, rather than monthly. That is not recognised by universal credit. Will the Minister promise to meet USDAW and other trade unions to make sure that this matter is investigated?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. If a person is paid four-weekly, they receive 13 payments a year, so in one of the 12 monthly assessment periods each year, they are paid twice. That means that they probably get no universal credit that month, which completely messes up budgeting. I would be delighted to meet USDAW, and perhaps my hon. Friend, to discuss what we can do through our review of universal credit.
Assessment & feedback
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Q7 Partial Answer
Steve Darling Lib Dem
Torbay
Context
The Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign and the parliamentary ombudsman's findings are under consideration by the government.
I am sure all Members in this Chamber are aware of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign and the parliamentary ombudsman's findings. Will the Secretary of State commit to making a statement in the House before Christmas on progress with her review of the ombudsman's report?
As the hon. Gentleman will know, the ombudsman took six years to consider a range of complex cases, and we are looking at their complexity. I was the first Minister in six years to meet representatives of the WASPI campaign. We hope to be able to update the House in the coming weeks.
Assessment & feedback
Specific statement before Christmas not committed to.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Paul Davies Lab
Colne Valley
Context
A recent report by Carers UK revealed that 42% of those receiving carer's allowance are struggling financially.
The work of unpaid carers is of huge value and is often heroic. A recent report by Carers UK revealed that 42% of those receiving carer's allowance are struggling financially. I was therefore really pleased by the significant increase in carer's allowance announced in the Budget. It is the largest increase in decades and will benefit many in my constituency.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight that research from Carers UK. The Budget increased the earnings threshold, so people will be able to earn £10,000 a year from work and still claim carer's allowance, and an extra 60,000 carers will become entitled to the allowance.
Assessment & feedback
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Q9 Partial Answer
Mike Martin Lib Dem
Tunbridge Wells
Context
A University of Bath study shows that over half of working households receiving Universal Credit have fluctuating incomes by up to £400 per month. In 2019, the High Court ruled that DWP should smooth this system.
Research from the University of Bath indicates fluctuating income issues for Universal Credit recipients and highlights a High Court ruling in 2019 calling for smoother assessment periods. Can the Secretary of State provide an update on implementing this judgment?
We are reviewing universal credit and willing to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss further improvements, but no specific update was provided on implementing the High Court ruling's recommendations.
Assessment & feedback
Specific implementation status of the High Court judgment was not addressed
Willing To Meet Reviewing Universal Credit
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Torsten Bell Lab
Swansea West
Context
3,400 carers in Swansea West will benefit from an upcoming increase to the earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance. Awareness of this change is historically low.
The government has announced a significant increase in the earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance. What plans does the Department have to communicate this important policy change effectively?
All current claimants will receive an annual uprating letter detailing the new limit. Additionally, 60,000 new unpaid carers will become eligible for the allowance from April 7th next year.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Rosie Duffield Ind
Canterbury
Context
The two-child limit, including its controversial 'rape clause', has been widely condemned by MPs over eight years.
Given the condemnation of the two-child limit and the 'rape clause' over eight years, will the government commit to scrapping these elements?
The taskforce on child poverty will consider all issues, including those raised by the hon. Lady regarding the worst aspects of Conservative policies over 14 years.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to scrap the 'rape clause' was not given
Consider Through Taskforce
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Suella Braverman Con
Fareham and Waterlooville
Context
A pensioner with COPD struggles due to the reduction in winter fuel allowance, despite being £55 above the poverty line.
What practical advice does the Minister have for a pensioner struggling because of the Government's cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance?
Suggestions include the warm home discount scheme, extended household support fund usage, and long-term energy efficiency measures under the warm homes plan. Thanks to the triple lock, pensioners will be £1,900 better off over this Parliament.
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Q13 Direct Answer
Josh Babarinde Lib Dem
Eastbourne
Context
A veteran's pension credit entitlement dropped from £70 to £10.42 per week due to military compensation.
Can the Minister meet me to discuss a veteran's case where their pension credit entitlement plummeted because of military compensation?
The hon. Member will be met for discussion regarding the issue, as it is an important concern raised by both him and another member.
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Q14 Partial Answer
Euan Stainbank Lab
Falkirk
Context
Government changes to the skilled worker visa salary threshold affect current Department employees' sponsorship eligibility.
How many current Department employees are unable to receive further sponsorship due to changes in the skilled worker visa salary threshold?
The hon. Friend's question is important, and a written follow-up will be provided with the requested information.
Assessment & feedback
Specific number of affected employees not provided
Written Follow-Up
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Nick Timothy Con
West Suffolk
Context
Census data shows 72% of Somalis live in social housing compared to the overall population's 16%. Benefits claimed by nationality is crucial for debate.
According to the Department's written response, they are exploring feasibility of publishing benefits claimed by nationality. Can the Minister confirm that work is going ahead and provide a timeline?
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that nationality and country of origin are not factors in assessing benefit eligibility, though future consideration may occur; follow-up via written communication.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for data publication not provided
Follow-Up In Writing
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Mark Sewards Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Context
Constituents are concerned about fraud and error costs amounting to £35 billion since the pandemic.
Can the Minister confirm a timeline for recovering the £35 billion lost due to fraud and error since the pandemic?
A fraud, error and debt Bill will be introduced in coming months as part of a broader package aiming to recover over £7.6 billion of fraud during the forecast period.
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Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Martin Wrigley Lib Dem
Newton Abbot
Context
Citizens Advice reports that DWP starts action on overpayments more than six years after the event, longer than bank records retention.
Does the Secretary of State think it is fair and right for the DWP to start action on overpayments more than six years after they occurred?
The hon. Gentleman raises a valid concern about overpayment recovery; the Department aims to identify and notify issues sooner, but no specific stance was taken on the fairness of current practices.
Assessment & feedback
Specific opinion on fairness of DWP actions beyond six years not provided
Valid Concern Noted Aiming For Earlier Identification
Response accuracy