Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to increase the flat rate of child maintenance payments in light of the recent increases in the cost of living.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are no current plans to increase the flat rate of child maintenance payments. The child maintenance calculation was designed to be fair for the paying parent, while ensuring they contribute a significant proportion of their income to support their children.
A banding system ensures that the very lowest earners pay a flat rate of £7 per week, and those with no income pay nothing. Those that can afford to make a bigger contribution do so at a rate that reflects what they earn.
Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to complete the bulk pension transfer of employees working in Devonport Dockyard; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has no such plans as it is not the sponsor of the scheme for employees of the Devonport dockyard. The arrangements for transferring employees’ pensions is a matter for the employer and the trustees of the scheme.
Asked by: Gary Streeter (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the backlog for work capability assessments in Plymouth and Devon is reduced.
Answered by Mark Harper - Secretary of State for Transport
We announced last summer that we are procuring a new provider to deliver Work Capability Assessments. The priority for the new provider will be to deliver the best service possible for claimants, increase the volume of assessments carried out and reduce waiting times.
In the meantime, we have been working closely with Atos to improve their performance and reduce waiting times; putting in place a remedial adviser team to work with them to find further ways of meeting or exceeding performance as well as making changes to better manage the flow of work between Atos and the Department.
These measures are taking effect and the volume of outstanding cases is now reducing.