Topical Questions 2024-12-16
2024-12-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Over 23,000 people in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have lost their winter fuel allowance. The MP questions the fairness of taxing state pensions.
In Bognor Regis and Littlehampton more than 23,000 people have lost their winter fuel allowance—more than 90% of former claimants. Does the Secretary of State think that it is fair that someone who has paid tax all their working life will now be taxed on their state pension as well as losing their winter fuel allowance?
The hon. Lady talked about the winter fuel payment, but she failed to mention our determination to ensure that the 880,000 pensioners who do not claim pension credit, but are eligible, claim it so that they can get their winter fuel payment. The £4.9 million allocated from the household support fund to West Sussex, which covers her constituency, can be used precisely for those pensioners just above the pension credit threshold who have worked hard all their lives but need extra support with the cost of heating.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address fairness of taxing state pensions and loss of winter fuel allowance; focused on eligibility and support fund instead
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomes the review into carer's allowance overpayments. He wants confirmation on preventing unnecessary debt for family carers.
I welcome the review into the overpayment of carer's allowance, which will come as a huge relief to many people in East Worthing and Shoreham. Can the Minister confirm that the Department will do everything it can to prevent family carers unnecessarily getting into debt?
Yes, I can confirm that. We place a very high value on the contribution of family carers. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said, the Budget announcement on the carer's allowance earning threshold will help avert inadvertent overpayments, and will make an additional 60,000 carers eligible for carer's allowance.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify actions beyond confirming high value placed on family carers and previous commitments
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the number of people eligible for winter fuel payments this winter.
How many people who should get the winter fuel payment will get it this winter?
We intend to ensure that everybody who is entitled to pension credit, and therefore the winter fuel payment, claims it and gets it. We have seen a 145% increase in claims—far more than was ever achieved under the last Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide exact number of people expected to receive payments; focused on claim increase instead
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the delay in determining winter fuel payments and its impact on pensioners.
Unfortunately, the right hon. Lady simply will not give a straight answer. She will not tell the House what she knows; she knew that the Government's choices would push 100,000 pensioners into poverty and she did not tell the House that, either. Let us try this question instead. The Government's own figures show that pensioners applying now will have to wait until the spring to find out whether they will get winter fuel money. What is her advice to a pensioner sitting in the cold and wondering if they can afford to turn on their heating this Christmas?
If the hon. Lady cared so much about pensioners in the cold, why did her Government leave 880,000 not claiming pension credit? Why did they first promise to bring together housing benefit and pension credit in 2011 and never deliver it? This Government are taking action—42,500 more people are receiving pension credit now than when she left government. We are determined to act; perhaps she should apologise for her failure.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address advice to pensioners but criticised the opposition instead
Criticised Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about pensioners in Slough who are eligible for but not claiming pension credit.
Many of my more senior constituents are concerned about their finances and winter fuel payments, especially those just above the threshold. In Slough, 1,688 households are currently eligible for pension credit but not claiming this vital benefit, so what steps is the Department taking to increase the uptake and ensure that those who are not eligible are not left out in the cold?
I place on record my thanks to the 160 local authorities that have worked with the Department for Work and Pensions to raise awareness of applying for pension credit, and also to the various charities around the country that have worked with us. The number of people claiming pension credit has doubled—a record number—and we are processing those claims at pace.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify measures but highlighted collaboration efforts and uptake increase
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
A report highlights how the care allowance system has resulted in £250 million owed by 136,000 people.
A report by the National Audit Office last week highlighted how cliff edges in the care allowance system have resulted in 136,000 people owing £250 million. In the light of that, will the Minister ensure that we stop this injustice and stop the demands until a fairer system is introduced?
I welcome the NAO report, which I asked for last May, when I was Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee. We are determined to address the problem of carer's allowance overpayments. The cliff edge could be dealt with through the introduction of a taper instead of the current arrangements, as the Chancellor mentioned in her Budget speech in the autumn.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to stopping demands or introducing new system immediately; noted future possibility but no timeline
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's constituent Gary has seen his real-terms income fall due to the pension built up before 1997 not being subject to indexation.
My constituent Gary has seen his real-terms income fall because the pension he built up before 1997 in a defined-benefit scheme is not subject to indexation, even though 80% of defined-benefit schemes are in surplus. Will my right hon. Friend ask the Pensions Regulator to look at this issue?
I thank my hon. Friend for representing the concerns of his constituent. The Department is working closely with the Pensions Regulator. We are looking to gather information on the number of schemes that provide discretionary increases on pre-1997 benefits and those that do not.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific investigation but noted ongoing work with the regulator
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
James Reed, chief executive of a large recruiter, stated that UK job vacancies have decreased by 26% over the last year. He warned this could be an indicator of impending unemployment and economic downturn.
Over the weekend, James Reed noted job vacancies are down 26% compared to the same period last year. Will the Secretary of State plead with the Chancellor to reverse the jobs national insurance tax raid that is harming employment figures before it worsens?
We still have over 800,000 vacancies and businesses need staff. Through our reform programme, we aim for the DWP to serve business better.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address reversing the national insurance tax raid on employment as requested.
Working With Members Across The House
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Andrew Price and Matthew Whitmore visited Adam Jogee's surgery to report their pensions being stolen by an investment company, leaving them out of pocket.
My constituents Andrew Price and Matthew Whitmore have lost money due to pension theft. What protections exist against this, and will the Pensions Minister meet me to discuss how they can recover their funds?
Many cases of pension fraud occur. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this further.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify what protections are in place against pension theft as requested.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The OBR estimated that the recent Budget would cost 50,000 jobs.
Why did the OBR estimate that the recent Budget will result in a loss of 50,000 jobs?
I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the OBR report which says overall employment will increase.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a reason for the 50,000 job loss prediction as requested.
Overall Employment Will Go Up
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The role of jobcentres in the constituency and Scotland, and technology's involvement.
How does the Secretary of State see the future of jobcentres in my constituency and across Scotland, and what part will technology play?
My hon. Friend highlights that reform to our jobcentres must include digital transformation, such as a 'Jobcentre in your pocket' app.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specifics on the future of jobcentres or timeline for technology integration as requested.
Exploring Schemes
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister told the WASPI campaign that the Government were working 'at pace'. Since then, 1,400 or 1,500 more women have died without justice or compensation.
Since the PM said they would work 'at pace' on this issue, what does 'working at pace' mean and can you give us a timeline?
The first Minister to meet WASPI campaigners in eight years. The ombudsman took six years to investigate six cases, but we are working on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
No timeline or definition of 'working at pace' was provided as requested.
Listen To My Answer
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Young people in supported housing face a marginal rate of tax of 55% on their universal credit when they start work, meaning that earnings of £133 per week see housing benefit tapered to nil.
Will the Minister look at reducing the taper and increasing applicable amounts for those in supported or temporary accommodation?
My hon. Friend raises a very important point about the interaction between UC taper rates and HB taper for those in supported or temporary accommodation, causing work disincentives.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to altering tapers was given as requested.
Looking At Options
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Over one in four children are living in poverty. This could be addressed by scrapping the two-child benefit cap and reversing the tax cut on banks.
What is more important: addressing child hunger or bankers' bonuses?
The hon. Gentleman raises the issue of children living in poverty, and our taskforce is doing extensive work to address it.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific action on child poverty was committed as requested.
Extensive Work
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The Migration Observatory report states over 200,000 children are in families with no recourse to public funds. The Work and Pensions Committee highlighted tough circumstances faced by these families.
Is the child poverty taskforce engaging directly with affected families?
The taskforce is considering all children in UK, recognising distinct challenges faced by groups such as migrant and disabled children. We are engaging directly.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific direct engagement with affected families was committed as requested.
Considering All Aspects
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Only 6.9% of people with learning disabilities are currently in paid work, impacting local charities such as the Sunnybank Trust.
What measures is DWP taking to help employers hire individuals with learning disabilities?
The hon. Member raises an important point. The Buckland review looks at employment support for autism, and we are looking to implement its proposals.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures were committed as requested.
Meeting Sir Robert Buckland
Looking Forward
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent freedom of information request revealed that AI tools used to detect DWP fraud are biased and disproportionately discriminate against people based on age, disability, marital status, and nationality.
The recently published freedom of information request indicates that AI tools used to detect DWP fraud are biased and disproportionately discriminate against people by age, disability, marital status and nationality. This has caused considerable concern. What assurances can the Minister give that the procurement and use of such tools will be covered by strict governance standards, including tests for fairness?
My hon. Friend will know that we face a significant challenge, with fraud and error costing the Department almost £10 billion a year. It is right that we look to utilise all available tools to tackle it. However, I understand her concerns, although I would remind her that the final decision on whether someone receives a welfare payment is always made by a human. That is the most robust safeguard that we can have in place—although of course it sits alongside a broader suite.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide specific assurances regarding governance standards or fairness tests for AI tools.
Right That We Look To Utilise All Available Tools To Tackle It
Reminds Her That Final Decision Is Made By A Human
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The question was prompted by the case of Bells Lewers, a constituent with terminal bowel cancer who faced significant delays in receiving personal independence payment.
My inspirational constituent, Bells Lewers, has terminal bowel cancer. When she was first undergoing treatment, she was initially turned down for personal independence payment, despite the significant impact on her ability to work and carry out basic daily activities. Has the Minister considered incorporating clinical diagnosis alongside function in eligibility assessments, and will he meet Bells to discuss the assessment process?
We do keep the assessment process under review, but I would be happy to look at the details of this particular case and perhaps meet the hon. Lady and her constituent, if that would be helpful.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not commit to incorporating clinical diagnosis into eligibility assessments.
We Do Keep The Assessment Process Under Review
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Since the pandemic, an astonishing £35 billion has been lost to benefit fraud and errors.
An astonishing £35 billion has been lost to benefit fraud and errors since the pandemic. Will the Minister outline the plans and the timeline for recouping that money?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the enormous cost to the Department—upwards of £35 billion—of fraud since the pandemic. She will be pleased to know that the fraud, error and debt Bill is due to come to the House early in the new year. This Government are serious about tackling fraud; it is just a shame that we inherited the mess we did.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not provide specific plans or timelines for recouping lost benefits.
It Is Just A Shame That We Inherited The Mess
Response accuracy