Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
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 small independent business will be given the same priority as larger corporations such as supermarkets when applying for the Government's Kickstart scheme.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
The Department for Work & Pensions encourages employers of all sizes and from all sectors to create new job opportunities for young people through applying for Kickstart funding.
We have continued to engage with stakeholders to improve the scheme and understand any barriers to participation for both employers and young people. We have made it easier for small organisations – including sole traders – to apply through a Kickstart Gateway. Our Kickstart Gateway Direct model allows small employers to place a young person on the Gateway’s PAYE system. One example of a Kickstart Gateway Direct is delivered by the Federation of Small Businesses in partnership with Adecco Working Ventures.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason companies have been limited to employ one Kickstart member of staff per three existing employees.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
The ratio of existing employees to potential Kickstart participants is one element that is examined when an application for funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart scheme is assessed. Organisations taking on young people through the Kickstart Scheme need to be able to provide support to help the participant have a good experience from the Scheme. A ratio of less than three members of staff to each participant person does not result in an automatic rejection but is one of a number of factors we take into account when reaching a determination about the quality of job placement being proposed.
We have recently improved the assessment process to allow more nuanced approach when considering applications. Whilst maintaining a high standard for Kickstart places, these changes mean that more applications are now successful
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2020 to Question 45418, if she will publish the document that details the full set of questions as at quarter 3 of the survey year in 2018-19 used for the Claimant Experience Survey 2018-19.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
A copy of the produced Word document that details the full set of questions as at quarter 3 of the survey year in 2018/19 has been placed in the Library of both Houses for your information.
Please note that:
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the questionnaire used for the Claimant Experience Survey 2018-19.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
We do not have a copy of the questionnaire available in a suitable format that fully reflects both the questions asked and routing of this survey (it is scripted for telephone interviewing). We have, however, produced a Word document that details the full set of questions as at quarter 3 of the survey year in 2018/19, which relates to questions being asked in the latest fieldwork period. Please note that:
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial support her Department plans to provide to (a) self-employed and (b) zero-hours workers that self-isolate as a result of covid-19.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
The Government is committed to supporting people affected by the Covid-19 public health emergency. As part of that response, DWP is making a number of changes to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system.
We are temporarily relaxing the Minimum Income Floor (MIF) for all self-employed UC claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 from 6 April, for the duration of the outbreak. This means a drop in earnings due to sickness or self-isolation or as a result of the economic impact of the outbreak will be reflected in claimants’ awards of benefit. We have also raised the Universal Credit Standard allowance, which means that claimants could be £1000 better off over the next 12 months.
The Department is ready to support people who are prevented from working because of a risk to public health and who need to self-isolate. For those on a low income and already claiming Universal Credit, their Universal Credit amount will adjust depending on their earnings or other income. People not eligible to receive sick pay may be able to claim Universal Credit and/or contributory Employment and Support Allowance.
These changes are part of a wider package to help self-employed which includes the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.
In response to Covid-19, we have introduced new guidance about claiming benefits which can be found at: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training on the fluctuating conditions of muscular dystrophy is provided to assessors of (a) personal independence payment, (b) universal credit and (c) employment support allowance.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
All health professionals carrying out assessments are clinically qualified and registered practitioners in their own field. DWP requires health professionals to have a broad training in disability analysis as well as awareness training in specific conditions, which includes Muscular Dystrophy. While preparing to undertake an assessment, health professionals have access to a range of resources as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing individuals with conditions that they may not be familiar with. Additionally, assessment providers engage with medical experts, charities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen their training programmes.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has taken help claimants with muscular dystrophy complete forms for (a) personal independence payment, (b) universal credit and (c) employment support allowance.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
PIP claims are assessed on the basis of functional need rather than health condition.
UC and ESA do not categorise referrals for a Work Capability Assessment by condition. Information on how a health condition affects their ability to perform everyday tasks is gathered by asking claimants to complete UC50/ESA50 (Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire).
In PIP, UC and ESA there are no specific claims processes designed for individual health conditions such as muscular dystrophy however the Department takes seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants with form completion as follows:
a) For PIP
As part of the PIP New Claims processes all customers, including those with muscular dystrophy, are asked if they have the support they need to make their claim and complete the application process. Claimants are offered additional support where appropriate and this is noted on their records to ensure they continue to receive the support they need throughout the PIP process.
b) For UC
If a claimant needs help with the completion of the UC50 there is help available from the Health Assessment Advisory Service.
We want the application process for Universal Credit to be as quick and easy as possible to ensure that claimants receive their money at the earliest opportunity. Comprehensive support is available to claimants to use our digital service, however we recognise there will be occasions when people are unable to make or maintain their claim online, so telephone support is available.
Universal Credit has been designed with a diverse range of claimants in mind and in these instances where digital access is not possible, information normally available through a claimant’s online account will be communicated in an alternative format, which is best suited to an individual’s circumstances. The initial verification can include a home visit to support a claimant with making their claim and completing any other administrative tasks required to ensure that they receive the correct payment.
Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland have supported over 200,000 individuals through ‘Help to Claim’ since April 2019, offering tailored and practical support to help people make a Universal Credit claim up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. ‘Help to Claim’ is available online, on the phone and face-to-face in locations including Jobcentres and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux.
c) For ESA
For new claims to ESA, assistance with form completion takes place over the telephone. For New Style ESA claims, Visiting Officer support is available to help complete claim forms if this cannot be done through support from family, friends and 3rd parties or via support from a Work Coach in the Jobcentre.
If a claimant needs help with the completion of the ESA50 there is help available from the Health Assessment Advisory Service - if the claimant is deemed vulnerable we can consider requesting support by means of a DWP Visiting Officer.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether there are financial provisions in place for (a) agency workers, (b) people on temporary contracts and (c) other employees who do not receive statutory sick pay in the event that their employers ask them to stay away from the workplace due to coronavirus concerns.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Those whose employers ask them to stay away from the workplace due to coronavirus concerns, who do not qualify for Statutory Sick Pay, may be able to claim Universal Credit and/or new-style Employment and Support Allowance. Those who do qualify for Statutory Sick Pay will not be eligible for new-style Employment and Support Allowance but may still qualify for Universal Credit depending on their circumstances.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to encourage private businesses to be more accessible to people with disabilities.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Government has made a commitment to publish a new National Strategy for Disabled People in 2020, focusing on removing barriers to ensure disabled people can lead a life of opportunity and fully participate in British society.
Business has a vital role to play in making its products and services more accessible. In support of that objective, I have appointed 18 Sector Champions to use their influential status and leadership to drive change across in individual business sectors. The sectors currently covered are Advertising, Banking, Broadcast Media, Gaming, Hotels, Leisure (Physical Activity), Live Music, Retail, Tourism, Transport - Airports, Buses and Trains, Arts and Culture, Insurance, Technology, Countryside and Heritage, Web Accessibility, Brand and Design, and Products and Spaces. In addition, the Retail Forum was established to improve accessibility and inclusion of its premises and services for disabled people.
The Government is also working to support people with disabilities who are in work or wish to work. Over 16,000 employers have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, which provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace. The Access to Work scheme offers a discretionary grant of up to £59,200 per year for in-work support above the level of reasonable adjustments for people whose disability or health condition affects the way they do their job.