Written Question
Monday 15th July 2019
Asked by:
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that those who are entitled to claim (1) pension credit, and (2) a TV licence from June 2020, but currently do not, take up those benefits.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession would transfer to the BBC. The implementation of the licence fee and the concession from June 2020 is a matter for the BBC and TV Licensing, which are independent of Government.
However, we expect the BBC to put in place robust plans to support those who might be affected. The BBC has said it will write to all over 75 TV licence holders advising them of how the new policy will work and when they need to act.
Irrespective of this, the Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential claimants; including information on gov.uk, in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.
Potential claimants can use the Pension Credit calculator to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive. People wishing to claim Pension Credit can do so by calling 0800 99 1234.
One of the best ways to reach eligible claimants is through trusted stakeholder working in the community and we have developed the Pension Credit toolkit, as an on-line tool for agencies and welfare rights organisations to use in order to encourage Pension Credit take-up.
The toolkit contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up. The toolkit also provides links to information about disability and carers benefits.
Most recently we have provided to relevant stakeholders a fact sheet about Pension Credit and the changes introduced on 15 May for mixed age couples to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek information.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 10 Jul 2019
Universal Credit Fraud
"My Lords, like the right reverend Prelate, I am a little confused. If there is a brilliant fraud and investigation team and the Minister is genuinely concerned, why did it take a BBC investigation to draw it to our attention?..."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Universal Credit Fraud
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Jan 2019
Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
"The Minister read from paragraph 10.1 of the Explanatory Memorandum for my noble friend Lord Adonis. That paragraph does confirm what she has just read out: that,
“the Department did engage with and respond to industry concerns over one aspect of the draft regulations that created an unintended consequence”.
How …..."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Jan 2019
Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
"On this constant and ongoing activity with the industry, I wonder whether the Minister can help me. The territorial extent of this provision is the United Kingdom. What is the position if my pension is based in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or if my employer has …..."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Jan 2019
Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
"I am not asking that. I should make it clear that I do not have a pension based in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. At least, if I do, then Brian Donohoe is going to be in trouble, because he is in charge of parliamentary pensions, which …..."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Jan 2019
Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
"I thought she had moved only one Motion...."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Jan 2019
Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
"The noble Lord is a long-standing friend but my understanding is that things have changed. It was originally planned that the two would be taken together but the Minister has moved only one. This was before the noble Lord was in the Chair...."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 15 Jan 2019
Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
"My noble friend—I have known him for many years—is an expert on social security and a member of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. The two committees under the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, and my noble friend Lord Cunningham do a terrific job. However, is it not perfectly possible, because of …..."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 10 Jan 2019
Benefit Reforms
"That does not answer the question...."Lord Foulkes of Cumnock - View Speech
View all Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Benefit Reforms
Written Question
Tuesday 4th December 2018
Asked by:
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Buscombe on 19 November (HL11445), what is the maximum level of lodging expenses per night Department for Work and Pensions officials can claim when they have longer term arrangements for detached duty.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
The maximum amount of lodging expenses is £53 per night in London and £37 per night elsewhere.