Written Question
Tuesday 21st November 2023
Asked by:
Allan Dorans (Scottish National Party - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria were used to determine where Temporary Job Centres were commissioned during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Department anticipated, and then saw, an increase in demand for its services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It responded by rapidly expanding the space available, on a temporary basis, predominantly in major conurbations. The focus was on areas with good transport links and in buildings that were accessible for both colleagues and customers.
This enabled the Department to provide a workplace that was safe for claimants and colleagues and ensured we could adhere to the Government guidance in place at the time. To ensure flexibility, premises were acquired on short-term, flexible lease arrangements to ensure we could reduce the size of the estate at the appropriate time.
Written Question
Monday 17th January 2022
Asked by:
Allan Dorans (Scottish National Party - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
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 introduce a secure electronic system that will enable British citizens living overseas to submit documentary evidence as proof of entitlement particularly in relation to pensions.
Answered by Guy Opperman
DWP already uses a secure electronic system to allow customers to upload certain categories of evidence to the department.
We have been carrying out extensive research to expand this capability to cover other services such as pensions. Our expectation is that this capability will possibly be available towards the end of the next financial year 2022/3.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 15 Sep 2021
Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits
"The points that I was going to make have already been made eloquently by other Members on these Benches, so I will make my remarks very brief.
I draw attention to the adverse effect on people who are disproportionately affected by this, particularly the WASPI women, who have already been …..."Allan Dorans - View Speech
View all Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) contributions to the debate on: Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 May 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
" What recent assessment she has made of the potential effect of removing the £20 uplift to universal credit on recipients of that benefit. ..."Allan Dorans - View Speech
View all Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 May 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
"The Trussell Trust reports that hunger in the United Kingdom is not about access to food, but about low incomes from the social security safety net, revealing that 95% of people referred to food banks in early 2020 were living in destitution, with just £248 a month on average to …..."Allan Dorans - View Speech
View all Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 04 Mar 2021
Income Tax (Charge)
"The Chancellor’s Budget is one of missed opportunities. In his speech yesterday, he made no mention of increases for public sector workers who have made such sacrifices and paid such heavy costs to protect us all in this time of crisis. The Chancellor also missed the opportunity to recognise and …..."Allan Dorans - View Speech
View all Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) contributions to the debate on: Income Tax (Charge)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 30 Nov 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
" What assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies of the spending review 2020. ..."Allan Dorans - View Speech
View all Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 30 Nov 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"For the last eight months, around 2 million disabled people and others on legacy benefits have been discriminated against through being excluded from the £20 uplift granted to those receiving universal credit. The Chancellor’s failure to extend the £20 uplift to them is another humiliating insult to the most disadvantaged …..."Allan Dorans - View Speech
View all Allan Dorans (SNP - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Written Question
Monday 11th May 2020
Asked by:
Allan Dorans (Scottish National Party - Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
What recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of introducing a universal basic income in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Will Quince
I have not had these conversations with the Chancellor because a Universal Basic Income is not targeted at the poorest in society and is not an appropriate way for the Government to distribute money.
This Government set out a substantial package of targeted measures to provide support to people affected by coronavirus, which can be delivered quickly and effectively through existing systems.