Topical Questions 2021-05-17

2021-05-17

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
The Prime Minister has announced a full reopening of the hospitality sector.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The nation is today uniting to toast an important milestone in the Prime Minister's road map to recovery, with the long-awaited full reopening of the hospitality sector—thank God for that, given the rain we are suffering. The British public have stood up to the challenge of the pandemic and, while still being cautious, we need to get out there and spend our dosh. Let's do our bit to support our communities, businesses and jobs, including more than 1 million workers who were furloughed and whom I hope we will now see back at work. As hospitality booms, I am sure that many more new kickstarters will be out there, able to hit the ground running.
The nation is today uniting to toast an important milestone in the Prime Minister's road map to recovery, with the long-awaited full reopening of the hospitality sector—thank God for that, given the rain we are suffering. The British public have stood up to the challenge of the pandemic and, while still being cautious, we need to get out there and spend our dosh. Let's do our bit to support our communities, businesses and jobs, including more than 1 million workers who were furloughed and whom I hope we will now see back at work. As hospitality booms, I am sure that many more new kickstarters will be out there, able to hit the ground running.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
Before universal credit, single parents under the age of 25 received a higher rate of benefit payment in recognition of the increased costs of raising a child as a single parent. This support has not been extended to young single parents who are in receipt of universal credit.
Before the introduction of universal credit, single parents under the age of 25 received a higher rate of benefit payment in recognition of the increased costs of raising a child as a single parent, but that support has sadly not been extended to young single parents who are in receipt of universal credit. Does the Secretary of State agree with me and the assessment of One Parent Families Scotland that the omission amounts to a “young parent penalty”?
No; we took a sensible approach in having a differential rate for universal credit. Of course, if any of the hon. Lady's constituents would like support to secure extra income via the child's other parent, the Child Maintenance Service is there to help parents in such situations.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Working With Partners
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Q3 Partial Answer
Context
Statistics from the House of Commons Library indicate a significant increase in youth unemployment and those claiming benefits. The new lifetime skills guarantee aims to address this issue, but there is interest in introducing national insurance contribution relief for employers hiring young people.
We have heard a lot about youth unemployment this afternoon. The House of Commons Library tells me that it has increased by 10%, with a 110% increase in the number of young people claiming unemployment benefits. Those statistics are concerning, especially for the Clacton constituency, where historically we have struggled with youth unemployment. We must get these young people back to work. The new lifetime skills guarantee will help, but what discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Treasury about the introduction of national insurance contribution relief for employers who hire young people, as we have done for those that hire veterans? If discussions have not taken place, will they soon?
I have regular discussions with a range of Ministers across the Government about how best to get young people into work and thriving. We are already incentivising employers to hire young people through the kickstart scheme, through which we pay wages and the associated national insurance contributions for six months. It is a job creation scheme for the young people who are most at risk of long-term unemployment, building vital experience throughout the pandemic and giving them the confidence and skills needed to thrive in their future workplace.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Working With Partners
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Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The kickstart scheme has faced criticism for underperformance and difficulty in implementation. Constituency businesses such as METERology have reported issues with the Department handling their applications.
The kickstart scheme was launched with much fanfare but it has been a bit of a flop, not to mention a headache for many businesses such as METERology in my constituency, which has been given a total runaround by the Secretary of State's Department. Recent figures suggest that if the UK Government maintain a rate of 400 new employees starting each day, they should hit their target of 250,000 new jobs in 625 days—that is two years—so what more are they going to do to ensure that kickstart can really live up to its hype rather than just be a slogan for the Chancellor's naff hoodie?
The hon. Gentleman is being ungracious. We are still at step 3 of the road map to recovery. Dare I say that the Scottish Government are putting up a roadblock to recovery by pursuing the whole independence agenda when they should be focused on the economic recovery? If the hon. Gentleman has specific constituency matters to raise, he is welcome to do so. As we go through the steps, we will see even more kickstarters taking full advantage of the generous support, which will help them and employers alike.
Assessment & feedback
Attacking Opposition Changing Subject
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Q5 Partial Answer
Robbie Moore Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Context
Climate change is a significant concern for many constituents in Keighley and Ilkley. With COP26 approaching, there is interest in how pensions can contribute to addressing climate change.
As the Pensions Minister knows from when we visited Airedale Springs together last September, climate change is a major concern for many constituents of mine across Keighley and Ilkley. With COP26 now less than six months away, will my hon. Friend update the House on the progress the Government are making to ensure that pensions play their part in tackling climate change so that we can build back greener from the pandemic?
We are the first G7 country to legislate for net zero and lead the world in sustainable environmental investment, with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and more, all of which address climate change. It was a pleasure to visit Airedale Springs, which is a great company that is doing good business but with due regard to climate change. That is our approach to UK pensions as we build back greener.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Matt Rodda Lab
Reading Central
Context
Approximately 200,000 women have been underpaid their state pensions due to past policy changes. The Department for Work and Pensions is working to repay these individuals.
Some 200,000 women who worked hard and paid their taxes all their lives have been underpaid their state pensions. It is an absolute scandal. I welcome the announcement that the DWP is trying to repay the money owed to these women, who have been so badly let down, but the repayments are being made far too slowly. Will the Minister confirm how many repayments were made last month and when the Department will finally speed up the process?
It is good to see that the hon. Gentleman survived the deputy leadership reshuffle. The simple point is that the DWP formally commenced correction activity on 11 January this year, and I published a written ministerial statement on 4 February this year. We are clearing up a mess, the responsibility for much of which goes back to the changes made under the Labour Government in 2008, as the hon. Gentleman will be aware. Where underpayments are identified, the Department will contact the individual to inform them of the changes to their state pension amount and of any arrears payments that they will receive in accordance with the law.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
A constituent, Martin Burnell, is living with motor neurone disease and was recently told to reapply for his benefits or risk having them stopped.
My constituent Martin Burnell is living with motor neurone disease, which is a progressive terminal illness for which there is no effective treatment or cure. Earlier this year, he was told to reapply for his benefits or risk having them stopped. Will my hon. Friend commit to removing the burdensome and unacceptable requirement under the special rules that people with a terminal illness have to reapply for their benefits after three years?
As part of the Green Paper, we will be going further than the special rules for terminal illness evaluation to look at the principles of extending the severe health condition criteria to remove unnecessary assessments and reviews.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Emma Hardy Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Context
Youth unemployment is rising, with apprenticeship poverty being a problem where young people earn less than the cost of attending work.
Youth unemployment is on the rise. One route to address this is through apprenticeships; however, one significant issue is apprenticeship pay, often described as 'apprenticeship poverty,' wherein it costs more for apprentices to attend work than they actually earn from their work. What measures are being taken across Departments to tackle this injustice?
The hon. Lady highlighted the great opportunities provided by apprenticeships and mentioned the kickstart scheme, which can lead to such opportunities. The Government has a flexible support fund that helps people get into work and thrive in it. An in-work progression report will be published soon for review.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific measures regarding apprenticeship pay or 'apprenticeship poverty'.
Under Review No Direct Commitment
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Q9 Direct Answer
Context
As society emerges from lockdown, the recovery process is accelerating. Universal credit is designed to support people into work and continue supporting them while they are employed.
Society is moving beyond lockdown restrictions and entering a phase of rapid recovery. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that universal credit is not only aimed at those who are unemployed, but also serves as a tool to aid individuals in transitioning back to employment and continues to support them while they remain employed?
My hon. Friend accurately pointed out that the design of universal credit ensures that individuals are better off working than not, encouraging them to take advantage of additional hours offered by employers. The Government will continue to assist people in finding suitable employment.
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Q10 Partial Answer
Lilian Greenwood Lab
Nottingham South
Context
According to the Resolution Foundation, unemployment is rising in a U-shaped pattern affecting both younger and older workers. Women who are already working beyond their expected retirement age face financial hardship.
Research by the Resolution Foundation indicates that we're facing an unemployment crisis with U-shaped patterns hitting youngest and eldest workers hardest, especially women who are working past retirement age and fearing they won't find work again. Do the Government have plans to assist these hard-working women or will they continue failing them?
Older workers can get support from their work coaches for additional qualifications and certifications. The DWP works with a Government business champion for older workers who provides outreach and advice to employers encouraging them to hire experienced individuals.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures, only general encouragement.
We Encourage All Employers
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Q11 Direct Answer
Context
The Government's plan to increase employment includes a constituent who is a qualified primary teaching assistant looking for work but faces discrimination based on their autism and epilepsy.
This Government aims to get more people into work through an ambitious jobs plan. However, a Redcar and Cleveland constituent with qualifications as a primary teaching assistant struggles to find work due to disclosing her autism and epilepsy leading employers to reject applications. What more can the Government do to ensure differently abled individuals have equal employment opportunities?
My hon. Friend highlights a critical issue for which we developed a disability confident toolkit with stakeholders providing comprehensive information and guidance on autism and hidden impairments for employers.
Assessment & feedback
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Q12 Partial Answer
Context
Each time there is a rent increase, some tenants go into arrears as they do not realise the requirement to notify the DWP. This prompts the question about simplifying bureaucracy to allow housing providers to report rent increases directly.
Govanhill Housing Association has informed me that when there are rent hikes, some residents fall into arrears because they're unaware of the need to inform the Department for Work and Pensions. Would Ministers consider streamlining this process so housing associations can directly notify about all rent adjustments?
This issue is more complex than it seems. We have been working with housing associations and would be happy to meet for a briefing on this matter.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny the feasibility of changes in bureaucracy.
More Complicated Would Like To Sit Down
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Q13 Direct Answer
Context
The DWP's commitment to improving the welfare system for terminally ill individuals is welcomed, but concerns arise about including proposals in a Green Paper which may cause unnecessary delay.
I welcome the DWP's dedication towards delivering an improved welfare system for those with terminal illnesses and hope it happens soon. Can my hon. Friend confirm that the special rules change proposals will not be included in the upcoming Green Paper, thus avoiding further delays?
My hon. Friend is correct. The SRTI evaluation has been completed and does not need to be rerun through the upcoming Green Paper.
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Q14 Partial Answer
Context
A recently published e-book discusses the 'brutalisation' of disabled people by DWP bureaucracy and suggests that this might be a systemic issue.
Will the Minister recommend to his colleagues that they read “The Brown Envelope Book”, which contains more than 200 poems, pieces of prose, and short plays about disabled individuals who say they have been brutalised by DWP bureaucracy?
The Government is proud of providing record amounts of support for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Through our forthcoming Green Paper, we will work with stakeholders including those with lived experience to improve services and support.
Assessment & feedback
Did not recommend the book directly.
Pride In Support Working On Improving
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Q15 Direct Answer
Context
Tomorrow, a workshop will be held in the constituency with local disability support groups and DWP representatives to discuss the Green Paper on health and disability.
I am organising a workshop between local disability support groups and the DWP tomorrow to discuss the upcoming Green Paper. Ahead of this meeting, will the Minister update us on what steps are being taken to increase access to benefits and support for vulnerable individuals during the pandemic?
Thank you, my hon. Friend. About 50 other MPs have also agreed to host similar events focusing on advocacy, supportive evidence, assessment process, and appeals process as key themes. The Government's priority is supporting those with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
Assessment & feedback
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Q16 Partial Answer
Daniel Zeichner Lab
Cambridge
Context
A constituent experienced a negative reaction after getting vaccinated and lost half her weekly wages due to unpaid sick leave, illustrating the challenges in precarious work settings.
I have a constituent who had a nasty reaction after having her jab recently, could not go to work the following day, and lost 10 hours' pay—half her week's wages. This discourages people from getting vaccinated. What can the Government do to rectify this situation?
We have been improving guidance and sharing best practice with employers. We have also made changes to statutory sick pay for those self-isolating or sick to remove the four-day wait.
Assessment & feedback
The financial hardship faced by workers due to vaccination side effects was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
The aviation industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant unemployment in affected communities.
What support is the Department for Work and Pensions providing to those who have unfortunately been made unemployed in aviation communities, which have of course been particularly negatively impacted by the covid-19 pandemic?
The DWP has a range of support for individuals who have been employed in this sector and are affected. The rapid response service provides key help and advice for employers and their employees if they are facing redundancy. Work coaches provide claimants with individual personalised support, utilising the plan for jobs including SWAP—the sector-based work academy programme—for those displaced by the impact on the aviation sector.
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Q18 Partial Answer
Context
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee reports that 7.6 million people in the UK do not have sufficient nutritious food daily.
Every day, 7.6 million people go without sufficient nutritious food, according to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, so will the Secretary of State look carefully at the Welsh Government's pilot for a universal basic income, and will she provide an estimate for the cost of a UK roll-out of a universal basic income?
The answer is no. If the Welsh Government wish to use their extra money through the Barnett formula, it must be within their legal powers. We are working across Government to tackle food insecurity.
Assessment & feedback
Examining the UBI pilot programme and estimating UK-wide rollout costs were not addressed.
Ah, My Favourite Question On Ubi.
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