Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to ensure that those who are unable to work during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of underlying health conditions can apply for (1) Employment and Support Allowance, (2) Personal Independence Payment, and (3) Universal Credit, even if they are unable to leave their homes.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to extend statutory sick pay to people earning below the threshold of £118 per week who are affect by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise statutory sick pay to the level of the National Living Wage for those affected by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reform the application process for Universal Credit to reflect their advice on self-isolation for COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to suspend the five week wait for Universal Credit for people affected by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase Universal Credit payments for those affected by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to make the Employment Support Allowance eligible for people affected by COVID-19; and (2) to suspend the need for three years of National Insurance contributions for the Employment and Support Allowance for those affected by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to renew automatically all blue badges during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what steps they have taken to ensure the continued provision of such badges.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Blue badges are valid for up to 3 years. The Department is currently working on its blue badge business continuity plan to ensure our digital and badge production services are resilient enough to continue to produce badges throughout this unprecedented period. Local authorities are responsible for the day to day administration of the scheme and will therefore be making their own arrangements for business continuity to ensure those in need of a badge can still be issued one. This may include pragmatic measures such as assessing applicants over the telephone, rather than face to face. In February 2020, over 75% of applicants applied online for a Badge.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken (1) to suspend reassessments for sickness and disability benefit, and (2) to ensure that the entitlements to existing awards are maintained, throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The safety of DWP’s claimants and staff is our number one priority. As a result of the Government’s decision to move to the “Delay” phase to manage the Covid-19 outbreak, we have taken the precautionary decision to suspend all face-to-face assessments for health and disability related benefits with immediate effect. This includes Personal Independence Payment, the Industrial Injuries Scheme and Work Capability Assessments in both Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit. Existing claimants in receipt of a health or disability related benefit will continue to receive their benefit payments while we consider alternative arrangements to review or reassess existing entitlement.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why adults with cystic fibrosis in England are not exempt from paying prescription charges.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
Extensive arrangements are already in place to help people access National Health Service prescriptions. These include a broad range of NHS prescription charge exemptions, for which someone with cystic fibrosis may qualify. Together these exemptions currently mean around 89% of NHS prescription items are dispensed in the community free of charge.
To support those with the greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption, the cost of the prescription pre-payment certificates has been frozen for another year. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just £2 per week.