Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what auditing processes are in place to monitor the use of equipment and technology provided to claimants through the Flexible Support Fund, and how the Department assures itself that equipment purchased using the Flexible Support Fund is used for its intended purpose.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Flexible Support Fund was introduced in April 2011. It provides discretionary support to help individuals move closer to employment. Work coaches must exercise their discretion in line with national and local guidance, ensuring that Flexible Support Fund (FSF) awards are reasonable, good value for money, and aimed at improving employment prospects. They consider each request on a case-by-case basis, confirming that all other funding options have been explored and that the individual cannot reasonably meet the cost themselves. As FSF is public money, work coaches must be confident that any award is necessary and appropriate ‑case basis, confirming that all other funding options have been explored and that the individual cannot reasonably meet the cost themselves. As FSF is public money, work coaches must be confident that any award is necessary and appropriate.
Once an award is made, work coaches must verify that the item is used as intended. If concerns arise — for example, where training supported by a purchased item was not attended — the coach will seek an explanation and determine whether repayment is required. Independent post-award checks also provide assurance that awards are accurate and appropriate‑award checks also provide assurance that awards are accurate and appropriate. A new digital FSF application, to be launched nationally by the end of March, will improve oversight and provide more detailed data to support stronger scrutiny of awards.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, What steps the Government is taking to ensure that the welfare system works for women.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The welfare system treats individuals of all genders equally. It provides better support and incentives to claimants to enter employment and progress in work.
DWP is committed to ensuring all claimants have the tailored support they need. We also continue to provide for groups who may need additional help. For example, Work Coaches can tailor conditionality where appropriate to the individual, particularly those with health issues or caring responsibilities.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of paying parents using the Child Maintenance Service are (a) in employment and (b) not in employment.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The following table shows the volumes and proportions of paying parents on the Child Maintenance Service schemes in March 2018 that are employed, unemployed, or with an unknown employment status at the point of application.
Employment Status | Volume | Proportion |
Employed | 297,400 | 76.5% |
Unemployed | 16,500 | 4.0% |
Unknown | 75,700 | 19.5% |
Total | 389,600 | 100% |
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people claiming employment support allowance who are in work.
Answered by Sarah Newton
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) provides support to those that face barriers to work. Under Permitted Work rules, anyone claiming ESA can work fewer than 16 hours per week and earn up to £125.50 per week, for an indefinite period, without it affecting their benefit entitlement.
The information requested on how many people claiming ESA who are in work is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.