Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Clause 4, Part 2 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The assessment for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to treat people as individuals, considering the impact of their impairment or health condition on their everyday life and how each claimant has personally adapted to living with a disability. Since its inception, the system of assessing claimants’ eligibility for PIP has been continually reviewed and refined in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. We continue to work extensively with PIP assessment providers and disability representatives to make improvements to guidance, training and audit procedures in order to ensure a quality service is maintained.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the potential cost savings arising from the cessation of benefit payments to EU nationals after the UK has left the EU.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
We're currently preparing for a smooth and orderly exit from the EU and by working together with our European neighbours we are confident we will be able to secure a deal that works in the mutual interests of both the UK and the rest of the European Union. We are considering various policy options and it would be wrong to set out further positions at this stage.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 22 February 2016, Official Report, column 35, on the European Council, whether his Department is undertaking planning in the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the EU referendum.
Answered by Priti Patel
On 19 February, the Prime Minister set out the Government's view on remaining in the European Union.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether targets have been set for Centre for Health and Disability Assessment staff on the number of people to take off personal independence payments.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments delivers Work Capability Assessments for Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claimants. They do not carry out assessments of Personal Independence Payment claimants which are delivered by Atos Healthcare and Capita.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claimants of personal independence payments at the time of the introduction of the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments system have been subsequently taken off those payments; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of current claimants of that payment who will be taken off over the next six months.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments delivers Work Capability Assessments for Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claimants. They do not carry out assessments of Personal Independence Payment claimants which are delivered by Atos Healthcare and Capita.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what use is made of correspondence from GPs in undertaking personal independence payments assessments.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Atos and Capita Healthcare Professionals and DWP Decision Makers give full consideration to all information provided by GPs when assessing Personal Independence Payment claimants.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 November 2015 to Question 13828, what other benefits will be available to Syrian immigrants; and what assessment he has made of the effect the payment of such benefits will have on local authorities (a) in general and (b) with regards to the housing of Syrian migrants under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.
Answered by Priti Patel
Syrians entering the United Kingdom under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme receive an initial 12 month support package, including accommodation, integration support and English language tuition. Local Authorities are actively engaged in this process. Those participating in the scheme will be able to work and will have access to some benefits (depending upon their individual circumstances and the eligibility criteria for those benefits).
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the benefits cap applies to Syrian migrants.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Syrians entering the UK under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme are able to work and have access to some benefits on arrival. Like other claimants they will be subject to the benefit cap.
Asked by: Douglas Carswell (Independent - Clacton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will reduce the benefit cap further.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The level of the benefit cap was recently reviewed as part of the annual up-rating process and the level is not being changed for 2015/16. The rates of benefits and pensions for 2015/16, including the cap, were announced at the time of the Autumn Statement and can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2015-to-2016.
The Government will continue to regularly review the level of the benefit cap and a future Conservative government would, as announced by the Chancellor at the 2014 Conservative Party conference, lower the cap to £23,000.