Topical Questions 2023-09-04

2023-09-04

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Court of Appeal recently ruled on the national disability strategy, allowing its implementation.
Will the Secretary of State join me in welcoming the recent decision on the national disability strategy, which allows us to get on and improve the lives of so many disabled people?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I very much welcome the Court of Appeal's decision in July, meaning that the national disability strategy is lawful. The Government are now able to continue with the important work of implementing that long-term strategy, and I can confirm that my hon. Friend the Minister for Disabled People will shortly come forward with further details of some of the individual commitments we will be making around that strategy.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Liz Kendall Lab
Leicester West
Context
The number of people off work due to long-term sickness hit an all-time high, and the UK is lagging behind G7 countries in terms of workforce participation.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Secretary of State for his kind words. However, economic inactivity remains a serious problem, with the UK lagging behind all other G7 countries since the pandemic. Last month, the number of people off work due to long-term sickness hit an all-time high. What is this Government's response? The Chancellor tells the over-50s to get off the golf course, and the DWP Secretary tells them to literally get on their bike. Is not the truth that this Government's failure to cut waiting lists, sort social care and have a proper plan for reforming our jobcentres is harming individuals and our economy as a whole?
To the extent that the hon. Lady was suggesting that economic inactivity was worse in our country than in all other economies, or all similar economies—that simply is not the case. It is true that economic inactivity spiked during the pandemic; none the less, as I said earlier, the average rate is lower than the average across the OECD, the EU and the G7. The hon. Lady mentioned those who are long-term sick and disabled. That is why we are bringing forward pilots such as WorkWell and rolling out universal support, to make sure we bring the world of work together with the world of health, to the betterment of those who we look after.
Assessment & feedback
The specific details about economic inactivity rates were not fully addressed. The response did not directly address all aspects of the questioner's concerns about government action and reforms.
We Are Bringing Forward Pilots Such As Workwell Rolling Out Universal Support
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Liz Kendall Lab
Leicester West
Context
The biggest relative jump in economic inactivity due to sickness is among young people, with mental health being the biggest concern.
This is not just about the over-50s. Is the Secretary of State aware that the biggest relative jump in economic inactivity due to sickness is among young people, with mental health being the biggest concern? Labour has a plan to transform mental health in this country, paid for by closing private equity loopholes. When will this Government act and put a proper plan in place?
There is a proper plan in place. I invite the hon. Lady to spend some time looking more closely at the announcements that have been made, particularly at the time of the last fiscal statement, and especially those about WorkWell, universal support, and the work we are doing with the national health service and other agencies to make sure—as I say—that we bring together the world of work and the world of health and provide support, particularly for those with mental health conditions.
Assessment & feedback
The specifics on when the government will act were not given. The response did not address Labour's plan directly or commit to a timeline.
There Is A Proper Plan In Place I Invite The Hon. Lady To Spend Some Time Looking More Closely At The Announcements
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The Health and Safety Executive website currently makes no mention of the aerated concrete issue.
The Health and Safety Executive website currently makes no mention of the aerated concrete issue that we all heard about at the end of last week. Can we be assured that the Executive has the resource and motivation to get that guidance out there, so that employers and other building owners know what they should be doing in this situation?
The HSE's focus has been on raising awareness of RAAC—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete—through its engagement and stakeholder groups via the public sector, and this was actually raised in a bulletin back in April 2021. I will look into the point my hon. Friend has made, but I am certain there has been clear guidance to those who need it.
Assessment & feedback
The specific assurance on resources and motivation was not provided.
I Will Look Into The Point My Hon. Friend Has Made
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Liz Twist Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Context
Thousands of women who have been underpaid their state pensions due to departmental mistakes will be forced to wait until the end of 2024 to see this error addressed.
Thousands of women who have been underpaid their state pensions due to departmental mistakes will be forced to wait until the end of 2024 to see this error addressed. Does the Minister really think this is acceptable?
The hon. Lady asked about this last time, and I believe I informed her previously that all alive people will be receiving the benefits they are entitled to by the end of this year.
Assessment & feedback
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Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Many disabled people face difficulties accessing the support they need.
What action are the Government taking to deal with the difficulties that many disabled people face with accessing the support they need? In particular, has there been a move back to making face-to-face contacts part of the assessments and decisions in the benefit system?
We have made available a diversity of assessment channels to people, but the key point is that anybody who wants to have a face-to-face appointment is able to have one. They can request one and that will be facilitated, and I think that is important. Jobcentres will be at the leading edge of delivering on our new supported employment programme—universal support—and we have WorkWell coming on stream as well. We do not want to write anybody off. Where people want to work or to try to work, we should be supporting that wherever we can, and that is precisely what we are all about.
Assessment & feedback
The specifics of the face-to-face contacts were not addressed directly.
We Have Made Available A Diversity Of Assessment Channels To People
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Dan Carden Lab
Liverpool Walton
Context
A constituent of Dan Carden's has cerebral palsy and faces repeated unnecessary reassessments for the personal independence payment, losing her mobility support after a recent assessment.
I have a constituent with cerebral palsy who is facing repeated inaccurate reassessments for PIP. Despite this lifelong condition, she lost her PIP mobility due to an inaccurate decision. How can a system demand that people hurt themselves regularly just to receive the support they are entitled to?
I would want to see the details of this case before commenting. The Government is focused on reforming the system through White Paper reforms to prevent people with conditions unlikely to improve from having to go through repeat assessments.
Assessment & feedback
Details of Dan Carden's constituent's case were not provided or addressed directly
Want To See The Details Before Commenting
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Universal credit recipients without savings face a five-week wait, potentially plunging them into debt.
Universal credit has been effective in ensuring it always pays to work. However, jobseekers with no savings who were previously paid daily or weekly now face a five-week wait for their first payment, risking debt. Will Ministers consider proposals for initial payments at the same frequency as previous earnings?
There are no plans to change universal credit assessment and payment structure, but the official is happy to sit down with John Penrose to discuss his proposals.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment on initial payment frequency changes
No Plans To Change
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Alex Davies-Jones Lab
Pontypridd
Context
A constituent with multiple sclerosis had his PIP application refused without a face-to-face assessment, receiving an insulting letter.
My constituent battling multiple sclerosis was denied a face-to-face PIP assessment and received a dismissive letter. Surely applicants deserve to have their assessments conducted in person?
People should be able to have face-to-face assessments if they wish, but providers also offer telephone or virtual assessments when appropriate. I ask Davies-Jones to share the case details.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment on availability of face-to-face assessments for PIP applicants
Share Case Details
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
Pensioners in Devon benefit from the triple lock and cost of living support.
My constituents in Devon are benefiting from the triple lock and targeted cost of living support. How will the Government ensure this progress continues?
The triple lock was a Conservative pledge, and benefits decisions are made annually by the Secretary of State.
Assessment & feedback
No specific future support measures outlined
Annual Decision
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Debbie Abrahams Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Context
The UN found that the UK had systematically discriminated against disabled people in 2016. The UN committee reviewed evidence of further deterioration since then, but the Government refused to attend.
In 2016, the UN report criticised the UK for systematic discrimination against disabled people. Since then, circumstances have worsened, yet the Government refused to attend recent reviews. Is this a kick in the face for disabled people?
The UK followed UN procedures, will engage in March 2024, and has enacted laws like the Equality Act 2010.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address non-attendance at recent reviews
Engagement Equality Laws
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
Bracknell faces recruitment difficulties despite near full employment.
Bracknell has high employment but struggles to recruit staff. Can the Secretary of State reassure that his Department will leave no stone unturned in getting people back into work?
Visited Bracknell to meet Sunderland, and is happy to sit down with local jobcentres to address vacancy issues.
Assessment & feedback
No specific measures or timeline for addressing Bracknell's workforce issues
Meet Local Jobcentres
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
Citizens Advice Bureau in Cheshire reports that 75% of PIP assessment appeals are won.
The CAB informed me that 75% of those appealing PIP assessments win. Why does the Minister not get it right initially, and what is he doing to address this?
Appreciate CAB's work but refer back to earlier points about steps being taken.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific issue of high appeal success rates
Refer Back
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
Recent changes improved access to means-tested benefits for vaccine damage payment recipients.
Changes to access means-tested benefits for those with vaccine damage payments are welcome. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to Sheila Ward for her campaign?
Pay credit to Mrs Ward and Aaron Bell, noting the Stoke Sentinel report on this issue.
Assessment & feedback
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Q15 Partial Answer
Jamie Stone Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Context
Pensioners in Jamie Stone's constituency face higher living costs compared to those in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In all honesty, I probably ought to declare an interest, but pensioners living in Edinburgh and Glasgow do not face the same sorts of increases as pensioners living in a remote and faraway constituency such as mine when it comes to living costs such as running a car, buying groceries and heating the house. Will the Government look at ways of targeting these particularly hard-hit people?
We of course look at particularly targeting harder-hit pensioners through pension credit, and the Pensions Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Laura Trott), has done a huge amount to promote that. But we are always open to receiving further ideas and having discussions, and if the hon. Gentleman would like to come forward with further ideas, we will certainly look at them.
Assessment & feedback
Specific targeted measures for pensioners in higher cost areas were not mentioned.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Taiwo Owatemi Lab
Coventry North West
Context
Parents contacting Taiwo Owatemi about late child maintenance payments leaving families in financial distress.
I have been contacted many times each month by parents left seriously out of pocket by their ex-spouses' failure to pay child maintenance owed. What steps are the Government taking to ensure parents are able to receive their child maintenance on time so that many families are not left subjected to coercive control by their ex-spouses or left out of pocket?
I thank the hon. Lady for making those points. Child maintenance payments keep about 160,000 children out of poverty each year and are absolutely vital. They play a key role in ensuring both parents play their part in supporting their children whether or not they live with them. If the hon. Lady has particular cases or interests, I am happy to meet her.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps addressing late payments were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
A constituent with a small work pension is ineligible for pension credit and struggling to afford basic living costs.
A constituent of mine has a small work pension, rendering her ineligible for pension credit yet still struggling to get by. Another constituent who is 80 and misses out on pension credit by just £10 has contacted me several times angry and hurt that he now has to pay for his TV licence. Will Ministers review the rules on pension credit, because ineligibility for so many of the passported benefits leaves many of my constituents out of pocket? They want to be eligible for it but are not.
Obviously this is without looking at the individual case, but it is important to note that the threshold has gone up significantly, so it is worth questioning whether the hon. Lady's constituents are now eligible. If not, applications to the household support fund can be helpful, and local councils may be able to offer housing benefit support. If there is an individual case that she would like to write to me about, I am happy to respond.
Assessment & feedback
Reviewing eligibility criteria was not committed to explicitly.
Response accuracy