Topical Questions 2023-01-23
2023-01-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a previous query from the Select Committee Chair regarding economic inactivity. The context involves reviewing 9 million economically inactive individuals.
Following on from the question from the Select Committee Chair, many of my constituents are required to seek housing solutions in the private rented sector but cannot afford it due to the freezing of local housing allowance and increased rents. Can the Minister discuss with his colleagues in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to enable councils to widen their lists for the housing register?
I can provide reassurance that discussions are ongoing between my Department and DLUHC regarding the issue of inordinate expense related to measures impacting local housing allowance. We will continue these conversations through time.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to widening housing register lists specifically
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question highlights engineering companies in Stoke-on-Trent, such as Don-Bur, IAE and Rayne Precision Engineering, facing hundreds of unfilled jobs.
We have fantastic engineering companies in Stoke-on-Trent that are struggling to fill vacancies. Will my hon. Friend look at what more we can do to help these companies recruit people and get them back into work?
We are working with the North Staffordshire Engineering Group on a sector-based work academy for specialist engineering roles, and a jobs fair is planned at Port Vale football club on 16 February. Another event will be hosted by DWP at IAE's new exhibition centre on 15 March.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Centre for Social Justice suggests around 700,000 inactive people could be helped back into work with support. Labour proposed reforms which were initially dismissed but later copied.
Around 700,000 people without a work requirement can return to the workplace if supported properly. When will the Secretary of State introduce reforms to the work capability assessment and Access to Work to facilitate more people getting back into employment?
We are reviewing economic inactivity as part of our White Paper process, which will address the questions posed regarding work capability assessment and Access to Work.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline for reforms
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Economic inactivity has been rising over three years. The Department withdrew funding from Andy Street's West Midlands and South Yorkshire programs aimed at helping the long-term sick.
The number of economically inactive individuals, especially those who are long-term sick, is increasing significantly. Why did the Secretary of State withdraw funding for these important programmes despite their aim to help long-term sick people return to work?
We have invested £7 million in the west midlands engine pilot, and we are reviewing it closely. The right hon. Member criticises our employment measures, but during Labour's time, unemployment was higher at the end of their term than when they started.
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Assessment & feedback
Attacked opposition rather than addressing withdrawal reasons
Criticising Opposition
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Local businesses in the Colne and Holme valleys, Lindley are expanding and hiring. The Huddersfield jobcentre organises several job fairs each month.
With many businesses expanding and hiring locally, will the Secretary of State join me in commending the excellent work done by the Huddersfield jobcentre staff as they prepare for a jobs fair on 2 February to help people find employment?
I thank my hon. Friend for mentioning the Huddersfield jobcentre and its staff, who organise several job fairs monthly to help people into work.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Daily Mail reported on a 'something for nothing' Britain, likely referring to social benefits such as the state pension.
Today's front page of the Daily Mail suggests Britain is something for nothing. Will the Secretary of State distance himself from this ridiculous remark and clarify his stance regarding the state pension being considered something for nothing?
A hallmark of a civilised society is looking after its most vulnerable. The Government has a proud record in supporting vulnerable people, including cost-of-living support for 8 million low-income households.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP commends specific local jobcentres and youth hubs for their work in preparing young people for employment.
Will the Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression join me in commending the Longbridge and Kings Norton jobcentres, and the Factory youth hub in Longbridge, for their work to ensure that young people are equipped with the skills they need to get back into work and that they have the dignity of work, and to reduce youth unemployment in my constituency?
I wholeheartedly agree that work is more than just a pay packet. I am delighted about the impact of more than 150 youth hubs working with flagship employers and small employers, such as the Factory, to change lives and open up progression for young people.
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Assessment & feedback
None
Does Not Directly Address The Specific Ask Or Provide Details
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Two disabled constituents are ineligible for the warm home discount scheme this year due to changes in eligibility criteria.
I have been contacted by two separate disabled constituents who were previously eligible for the warm home discount. This year of all years, however, they have been told that they are no longer eligible, because of the way that the various support schemes interact. Will the Minister meet me to look into those two individual cases, and the wider issue, to ensure that the most vulnerable people are not missing out on the support that they need?
I am grateful for the hon. Lady's question. The reform to the warm home discount means that 160,000 more households where a person is disabled or has a long-term illness will receive a rebate. If she provides me with the details of the cases in question, I will be happy to look at them.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to a specific meeting or action beyond reviewing case details
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about discussions with the MAC regarding Disability Confident campaign integration into employer representation.
I know that the Minister for Disabled People shares my enthusiasm for the Disability Confident campaign and ensuring that more employers sign up to it. What discussions is he having with the Migration Advisory Committee to ensure that, when considering representations from sectors about, for example, the shortage occupation list, being a Disability Confident employer is part of what is considered?
Of course, we want to continue to build on the brilliant work that has happened through that scheme and its success in getting disabled people into work. However, no specific discussions with the Migration Advisory Committee were detailed.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not detail any specific discussions or actions
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the delayed availability of funds through the UK shared prosperity fund for supporting over-50s re-entering the workforce.
I welcome the Secretary of State's earlier remarks about looking to address the causes of economic inactivity in the over-50s. The people and skills element of the UK shared prosperity fund could be well placed to fund support that age group needs, but funding will not be available until 2024-25. Will the Department work with DLUHC to bring the funding forward to 2023-24?
The hon. Lady raises an interesting point. We are certainly in discussions with DLUHC about such matters, but no specific actions or timelines were detailed beyond this.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to bringing funding forward was made
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
A local jobs fair is scheduled for February to support employment in the constituency.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit has fallen, but does the Minister agree that more needs to be done? Will he support a jobs fair I am holding on 3 February in partnership with DWP and local organisations?
I welcome my hon. Friend's work in Halesowen, particularly the jobs fairs that Members of Parliament organise to drive employment and the in-work progression offer being developed by DWP.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not commit to supporting specific events or initiatives beyond general support for such actions
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Criticism of the Government's approach to employment support, suggesting local control would better address needs.
It is clear that nationally led employment support simply is not working. Why are the Government not matching the Opposition's commitment to let local communities take charge of that crucial work so that local support matches local labour market need?
I stand up for our jobcentres, which provide fantastic employment to people across the country. We are also developing an in-work progression offer, about which the Labour party has nothing to say.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not address local control over employment support policies or compare effectiveness of approaches
Deflects By Praising Jobcentres And Criticising Opposition
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Recognition of the Rumbles café's work in training people with Down's syndrome and helping them enter the workforce.
The Rumbles café does marvellous work with people with Down's syndrome, helping to train them and get them back into the workplace. People are living longer independently but struggling to find employment. What more can the Government do to help people with Down's syndrome enter the workplace?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Perhaps we could organise a visit so that I can see this organisation for myself, similar to a rewarding visit to Bristol where work experience opportunities were facilitated by charitable organisations.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or commitments are made beyond potential visits and previous examples of successful initiatives
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over the Government's policy of imposing sanctions on benefits claimants, even for minor breaches.
The Prime Minister has been issued with a fixed penalty notice, his second in 12 months. Unlike many constituents hit by punitive benefits sanctions who struggle financially, the Prime Minister is unlikely to face these difficulties. Will the Secretary of State concede that sanctioning claimants for even minor breaches of rules is too severe?
Sanctions play a role in the work of jobcentres, as they involve a contract between the jobcentre and those receiving benefits. However, it is right to apply these sanctions with due care.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not concede that sanctions are too severe or propose any changes
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Unemployment stands at 5.1% in Grimsby compared to the national rate of 3.7%. There are job vacancies but many people remain unemployed.
Unemployment is falling in Grimsby, but it still stands at 5.1% compared with the UK national rate of 3.7%. What is the Department doing to make sure that we can get more people into work when we have the vacancies?
An adult social care jobs fair, with 10 employers in attendance, will take place on Wednesday. A whole host of events during apprenticeship week in two weeks' time and we are rolling out the in-work progression offer to Grimsby starting in March.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address how to match job seekers with available vacancies
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
ADHD and autism are underdiagnosed in women, often misdiagnosed as mood disorders. This affects their ability to access employment.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism are severely underdiagnosed in women and girls, and are often misdiagnosed as mood disorders. What discussions have Ministers had with the Health and Social Care Secretary about the impact this is having on women's ability to access and maintain employment, and what steps will be taken to support them?
Ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions meet with Ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care. We are appointing new ministerial disability champions to take a lead on deep dives into particular issues.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify what steps will be taken or when they would support women's employment prospects
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The recommendation to lower the age threshold for automatic enrolment from 22 to 18 and remove the lower limit of the qualifying earnings band has been made but not acted upon.
When will the Minister for Pensions act on the recommendations of the 2017 automatic enrolment review to lower the age threshold for automatic enrolment from 22 to 18, and to remove the lower limit of the qualifying earnings band so that contributions are paid from the first pound earned?
Automatic enrolment has been successful. We remain committed to implementing the 2017 reforms in the mid-2020s.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific timeline or action for implementation
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
During lockdowns, conditionality was relaxed. There is concern that it has not returned to pre-COVID levels and this affects employment prospects.
Can the Secretary of State assure me that those pre-covid levels of conditionality will return as a matter of urgency?
Conditionality plays a central role in getting people back into work. It was relaxed during the pandemic but is now reinstated and will be part of my review on economic inactivity.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide assurance about returning to pre-pandemic levels urgently
Response accuracy