Topical Questions 2026-03-09

2026-03-09

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Sarah Dyke Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Context
Since the last Work and Pensions questions, the Minister visited several locations, including Cammell Laird shipyard and London Underground's Acton Works, and attended events like the youth guarantee jobs fair in Blackpool.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities, noting visits to Cammell Laird shipyard, London Underground's Acton Works, and the youth guarantee jobs fair in Blackpool, connecting over 3,000 local people with 90 employers, and the extension of the Connect to Work programme to give employment support to more than 75,000 people with disabilities or long-term sickness.
Since the last Work and Pensions questions, we have had Apprenticeships Week, when I visited Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead and London Underground's Acton Works in west London. I attended the youth guarantee jobs fair in Blackpool, which connected over 3,000 local people with 90 employers; had a roundtable with business at which, for example, Make UK reported 50,000 vacancies in the engineering and manufacturing sectors; and we extended the Connect to Work programme to give employment support to more than 75,000 more people with disabilities or long-term sickness—people far too often in the past simply signed off and written off.
Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Sarah Dyke Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Context
Skills bootcamps in Somerset give businesses in Glastonbury and Somerton the opportunity to collaborate with training providers, but changes to funding allocations could see Somerset lose nearly 70% of its funding.
Skills bootcamps in Somerset give businesses in Glastonbury and Somerton the opportunity to collaborate with training providers. However, changes to funding allocations could see Somerset lose nearly 70% of its funding. Will the Minister urgently review the skills bootcamp funding methodology? Without it, an important pathway for residents to gain valuable skills and to support economic prosperity in Somerset will be compromised.
I appreciate the value of skills bootcamps. They can play an important role in the mix of policies we are talking about today. I hear the representations the hon. Lady has made for more funding. All I would say to her and her party is that if we have more funding, I hope they support whatever revenue-raising measures that have to be put in place for it.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a direct commitment to review the funding methodology.
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Sarah Coombes Lab
West Bromwich
Context
One in eight young people are not in education or employment, and there are many opportunities in the manufacturing sector in West Bromwich.
The situation we inherited at the election, with one in eight young people not in education or employment, is a national scandal and I am glad that this Government will put it right. In West Brom, there are lots of opportunities in the manufacturing sector, but lots of young people often think of a different reality when they think of factories. In fact, many of the jobs are high quality, well paid and involve modern machinery and robotics, and are not the back-breaking work that many think it is. What are the Government doing to ensure that jobcentres connect young people with the opportunities in all different sectors, particularly in manufacturing?
My hon. Friend is exactly right. This is why we need to ensure that jobcentres have really good engagement with local employers, including manufacturers. She will be pleased to know that there will be an employer roundtable at the Manufacturing Centre in West Bromwich on 17 March, with Sandwell college and manufacturing employers. There will also be an employer breakfast on 29 April, again at Sandwell college, about jobcentres and what they can offer, particularly around SWAPS—sector-based work academy programmes—and manufacturing SWAPS, which are so important.
Assessment & feedback
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Q4 Partial Answer
Helen Whately Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Context
The Pension Schemes Bill includes a mandation power that ministers say is a backstop, but concerns are raised about its potential use.
Madam Deputy Speaker, you are no doubt familiar with the dramatic principle of Chekhov's gun: if there is a gun on the wall in the first act, it will be fired by the final scene. Ministers say that the mandation power in the Pension Schemes Bill is merely a backstop that they do not intend to use, but once they have a power in law like a gun on the wall, how long will that intention last? Will the Secretary of State make a commitment to the House that the mandation gun will never be fired at the expense of UK pension savers?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. She will know that the industry itself set out in the Mansion House accord that it thinks there needs to be change in the pattern of investment in our largest defined contribution schemes. It says that because it is in the interests of savers, and that is why the previous hon. Member for Hexham, the longest-lasting Conservative Pensions Minister, labelled it a good thing. All the Pension Schemes Bill does is put in place the mechanism to make sure that change, which the industry has said is in the interest of members, actually happens.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a direct commitment to never use the mandation power.
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Helen Whately Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Context
The Pensions Minister is criticized for his tendency to think he always knows best, and the Opposition is concerned about the mandation power in the Pension Schemes Bill.
Given that the savings of millions of people are at stake, I am disappointed that the Secretary of State did not rise to answer this important question. The Pensions Minister needs to stop conflating the voluntary Mansion House agreement with changing the law to give Government the power to direct pension fund investments. The two are not the same. Both the Association of British Insurers and Pensions UK are urging the Government to drop the mandation power from the Bill. The Pensions Minister has a tendency to think he always knows best, but he is not always right; apparently, the Ed stone was his idea. Let us not have people's retirements savings suffer the same fate as the quest of the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Ed Miliband) to become Prime Minister. The Government should not be giving themselves control over how people's retirement savings are invested, but that is what mandation does. I am against it, the pensions sector is against it, and savers are against it. Will he listen and change tack?
The hon. Lady is going to be absolutely furious when she finds out what those on the Opposition Front Bench did when the Pensions Schemes Bill came through this House. There is all this sound and fury now, but, when it came to choosing whether to vote against the very power she now says is incredibly dangerous, she went for a snooze on both Second and Third Reading. She is going to be even angrier when she finds out what her right hon. Friends the Members for Salisbury (John Glen) and for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt) have called for, which is the mandation of pensions schemes in the UK to invest—
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the specific ask about changing tack.
Deflection
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Linsey Farnsworth Lab
Amber Valley
Context
The schools White Paper outlines significant reforms to support children with special educational needs and disabilities, and efforts are being made to tackle the NEETS crisis.
I was pleased to see that the schools White Paper outlines significant reforms to support children with special educational needs and disabilities. Will the Minister outline how the Department is working with colleagues in the Department for Education to ensure that efforts to tackle the NEETS crisis—those not in education, employment or training—including the new apprenticeships and youth guarantees, will be inclusive and accessible to young people with SEND, ensuring that they have the opportunity to progress into fulfilling careers?
With the Minister for Skills now working jointly across the DFE and DWP, we have very clear collaboration. We have already launched eight youth guarantee trailblazers, which are testing innovative approaches to localised support for young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, including targeted SEND support. We also have the Milburn review into young people and work and how better to support them.
Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Steve Darling Lib Dem
Torbay
Context
Citizens Advice reported delays in Access to Work processing applications and reimbursement, affecting many constituents. Steve Darling cited a 28-day turnaround as a critical improvement goal.
Last week, Citizens Advice shared a report into Access to Work which confirmed many things that we know from our own postbags relating to disturbing delays in the system on both processing applications and reimbursement. Will the Minister share with us what recovery plan he has in place and when the Government will get up to a 28-day turnaround for these important issues?
The new disability advisory panel—chaired by Zara Todd—will be working with us on reform of Access to Work. We have increased the number of staff working on this from 500 to 650 in the past couple of years, which is reducing some of the delays that we saw as a result of the big surge in applications. I would be glad to keep the hon. Gentleman posted on further progress, including our proposals for reform, which we will bring forward as soon as we are able to do so.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific timeline or plan for achieving a 28-day turnaround.
Working On Reform Will Bring Forward Proposals
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Amanda Hack Lab
North West Leicestershire
Context
Amanda Hack met Dean, a constituent in his 60s with a medical condition, who is struggling to find employment despite having over 15 years of human resources experience. Dean needs a cane to walk and faces discrimination.
I recently met my constituent Dean, who is in his 60s and wants to return to full-time work after a bit of ill health. With more than 15 years' experience in human resources, he is struggling to get over the line and get that next job. He feels he is being turned away not just because of his age, but because of his medical condition, which means he needs a cane to walk. What is the Minister doing to support people with health conditions, such as Dean, back into work?
My hon. Friend is right to raise this matter. She might know of the Connect to Work service we have introduced, which will be available across the whole country by summer. The methodology for it has been designed centrally, but it is being commissioned entirely locally. The feedback we are seeing so far is that it is doing a very good job in supporting people in exactly the kind of circumstances that my hon. Friend describes.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address Dean's specific case or mention any support for individuals with Dean's medical condition.
Raising The Matter Connect To Work Service
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
Greg Smith's constituents did not receive carer's allowance for the entirety of last year, and when they contacted the Department, they were told that their case was 'awaiting update'.
Does the Minister think it is reasonable that my constituents did not receive a penny of carer's allowance for the entirety of last year while caring for their daughter living at home with them and that whenever they phone the Department they are simply told, “Case awaiting update”?
I would be very grateful if the hon. Gentleman would drop me a line about that case so that I can look into what has happened.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not comment on the reasonableness of the case being 'awaiting update'.
Dropping A Line Looking Into What Has Happened
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Laura Kyrke-Smith Lab
Aylesbury
Context
A constituent with severe spinal and nerve conditions had her personal independence payment reduced after the DWP did not receive the medical evidence she had sent.
I know that the Minister has been making progress with the review of the personal independence payment assessment. I hear from many people who struggle with the complexity and mistakes in the current system, including one lady with severe spinal and nerve conditions who had her payments reduced after the DWP did not receive the medical evidence that she had sent. Does the Minister agree that any changes to the system must be humane and fair, and that it must become easier to navigate and easier for people to trust?
Yes, I do agree. As my hon. Friend will know, we have set up a review of personal independence payment, which is under way at the moment. We have a steering group of 12 individuals, almost all of whom are disabled people, plus me and two other co-chairs, and we had our third full-day, in-person meeting last week. The issues that my hon. Friend raises are exactly the ones that we want to work through in the course of the review, which will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the autumn.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a specific timeline or concrete actions to address the complexity and mistakes in the current system.
Review Underway Steering Group
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Ian Sollom Lib Dem
St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
Context
With nearly a million young people not in education, employment or training, the Growth and Skills Levy is due to launch in less than a month, but only a few courses have been confirmed, with no funding rates, duration, or assessment details published.
With nearly a million young people not in education, employment or training, the growth and skills levy is due to launch in less than a month, but as few as eight courses have been confirmed, with no funding rates, no duration and no assessment detail published. How is anyone—a young person planning their future, a college planning its provision or an employer planning its workforce—supposed to act on a blank page?
The hon. Member is right to point to the disparity of information that there sometimes is for apprenticeships compared with university courses. It is something that we need to address by improving the information available and ensuring that young people embarking on an apprenticeship are treated with just as much esteem and respect as those who undertake a university course. Information is very much part of the changes that we are pursuing.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific information on the Growth and Skills Levy or address how young people and institutions can act on the lack of information.
Disparity Of Information Improving Information
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Catherine Fookes Lab
Monmouthshire
Context
Constituents have been facing a hidden problem in the child maintenance system: their ex-partner has found ways of hiding income to avoid paying increased monthly payments or arrears.
Sadly, I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are facing a hidden problem in the child maintenance system: their ex-partner has found ways of hiding their income to avoid having their monthly payments increased or paying the arrears that they owe. Can the Minister share with me the work that the Department is doing to ensure that income assessment of paying parents is accurate, agile and serves the children it is meant to support?
My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that a range of interventions are under way, including reviewing the child maintenance calculation across the piece. If there are specific cases that are causing her concern, she can share them with me and I will ensure that they are referred to our specialist financial investigation unit, which looks into cases where we fear that there is hidden income.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specifics on the review of child maintenance calculations.
Interventions Under Way Review Of Calculations
Response accuracy
Q13 Direct Answer
Calum Miller Lib Dem
Bicester and Woodstock
Context
Calum Miller met a constituent who is a victim of domestic abuse and is experiencing financial pressure due to her ex-partner's refusal to make maintenance payments. She has not received a response from the Child Maintenance Service for 11 months.
I recently met a constituent who is a victim of domestic abuse and, like too many others, has been let down by the Child Maintenance Service. She is experiencing severe financial pressure as her ex-partner refuses to make maintenance payments. She complained to the CMS 11 months ago and has not yet received a response. To make matters worse, the CMS has refused to communicate with her and has failed to provide her with documentation that is essential to an ongoing tribunal. Will the Minister meet me and my constituent to understand what has gone wrong in this case?
Definitely—and soon.
Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Euan Stainbank Lab
Falkirk
Context
Powering Futures, a social enterprise in Falkirk, has a project that will deliver at least £1.6 million in quantifiable social outcomes, addressing youth unemployment in every local authority in Scotland.
Powering Futures is a fantastic social enterprise based in Falkirk, and its oven-ready project will deliver at least £1.6 million in quantifiable social outcomes, including addressing youth unemployment in every local authority in Scotland. Funders have been identified, so will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss what support his Department may be able to offer Powering Futures?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I am very happy to make sure that he gets a meeting with me or another Minister in the team.
Assessment & feedback
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Q15 Partial Answer
Lee Anderson Reform
Ashfield
Context
£10 billion a year is paid in universal credit to households with at least one foreign national, raising concerns about the costs.
At least £10 billion a year is being paid in universal credit to households with at least one foreign national residing there—a truly shocking figure—but what I want to know is how much is being paid in PIP, carer's allowance and attendance allowance to foreign nationals.
We do believe that if people have worked here and have contributed over the years, they are entitled to the benefits that the state provides. The logical conclusion of his position would be to deny that to many people who have lived and contributed here, sometimes for decades.
Assessment & feedback
The amount of PIP, carer's allowance and attendance allowance being paid to foreign nationals.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Jayne Kirkham Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Context
The Cornish hospitality sector would like to participate in the youth guarantee pilot to benefit young people.
The extensive Cornish hospitality sector would like to be part of the youth guarantee pilot. Will he consider meeting us to discuss that?
We are all going to have busy diaries after this session. I pay tribute to the Cornish hospitality sector. My hon. Friend is right that those are great opportunities for young people, and I will make sure she gets a meeting with someone.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timing or commitment to the meeting
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Joshua Reynolds Lib Dem
Maidenhead
Context
Campaigners are calling for a review of uprating frozen pensions for British pensioners living in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Campaigners know that the Government will not uprate frozen pensions retrospectively, but will they commit to a review of uprating frozen pensions for British pensioners going forward?
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the policy on overseas uprating is long standing under Governments of all parties, including the Liberal Democrat coalition Government. I am not going to make promises that will not be delivered. We will not be changing that policy in the near future.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to review uprating policy
We Will Not Be Changing That Policy In The Near Future
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Liam Conlon Lab
Beckenham and Penge
Context
Up to 13,000 survivors of Ireland's mother and baby homes living in Britain today could lose their compensation payments if they accept the redress scheme from the Irish Government.
My campaign for Philomena's law is backed by public figures including Dara Ó Briain, Siobhán McSweeney and Steve Coogan. It would resolve the issue by ensuring that the payments are ringfenced. Will the Secretary of State consider the merits of the case and agree to meet me to discuss it further?
The whole House will be aware that the women who lived in the mother and baby homes sometimes went through terrible experiences. I commend my hon. Friend for his campaign for some measure of justice for those women. We are examining what we can do in those cases. A small number of those women live in the UK, and I assure him that help is under active consideration.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to the Philomena's law campaign
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Al Pinkerton Lib Dem
Surrey Heath
Context
The National Autistic Society has warned about barriers that autistic people face in navigating the benefits system.
My constituent Michael, who is autistic, lost his personal independence payment in January when he was moved to employment and support allowance without explanation. He is attempting to appeal that decision. Given warnings from the National Autistic Society about barriers that autistic people face in navigating the benefits system, what steps is the Department taking to improve communication and staff training to better support neurodiverse claimants?
The hon. Gentleman is right to raise that matter. It is fair to say that the PIP application process is old-fashioned, clunky and difficult for many. I mentioned earlier the review of PIP that is being undertaken. Members of the steering group have described applying for PIP as “dehumanising”. The health transformation programme is under way, and we are improving the process, including by making claims fully online in a trial number of postcode areas. I hope that a broadly much better approach will come out of the review.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to improve communication and staff training
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
John Slinger Lab
Rugby
Context
Jobcentre Plus is working to reduce the number of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).
Will the Secretary of State join me in commending its work in organising with me a jobs fair on 16 April from 10 am till 1 pm at the Indian community centre in Rugby?
I have already praised Rugby once during this session; let me do so a second time. I cannot promise to attend my hon. Friend's jobs fair, but I can say that such fairs play a valuable role in bringing together employers who need staff with potential employees who need jobs. I saw that myself in the very sizeable Blackpool jobs fair that I attended a week or so ago.
Assessment & feedback
Attending the jobs fair
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Gagan Mohindra Con
South West Hertfordshire
Context
A constituent of the questioner, Emma, has had her video relay service allowance reduced by over 75%, leading to concerns about delays in Access to Work reconsideration cases.
Emma from Abbots Langley in my constituency has to comply with strict timeframes for her job as a frontline worker within a local government adult care service. Despite that, the video relay service allowance that she receives as a deaf person has been reduced by over 75%, meaning that it is significantly below her working hours. Given that the waiting period for Access to Work reconsideration cases can span up to several months, how can the Minister assure my constituent that the delay will not undermine her ability to work?
There is a serious problem with Access to Work delays—on 16 February, the application backlog was 66,699—which is why we have substantially increased the number of staff working on it. Those who have a job in the offing are prioritised for applications. If the hon. Member would like to drop me a line about the particular case he has in mind, I will gladly look into it.
Assessment & feedback
Specific assurance regarding Emma's ability to work
Response accuracy