Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, following the support for mortgage interest changes in April 2018, with what frequency interest will be applied.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
Interest on Support for Mortgage Interest loans will accrue daily and shall be added to the outstanding amount at the end of each month.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants will be affected by the changes to the support for mortgage interest due to take place in April 2018.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 September 2017 to Question 9506.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the outcome of his Department's consultation on the proposed closure of Vinovium House.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
We are currently consulting with our staff at Vinovium House and Trade Unions about the proposal. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed and considered before making a final decision on the future of this site.
It is necessary to delay any further announcements whilst we are in the pre-election period.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made a decision on the proposed closure of Vinovium House.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
We are currently consulting with our staff at Vinovium House and Trade Unions about the proposal. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed and considered before making a final decision on the future of this site.
It is necessary to delay any further announcements whilst we are in the pre-election period.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made on consulting on the proposed closure of Vinovium House.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
We are currently consulting with our staff at Vinovium House and Trade Unions about the proposal. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed and considered before making a final decision on the future of this site.
It is necessary to delay any further announcements whilst we are in the pre-election period.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government offers any provision of female sanitary products for women who consider themselves unable to afford such products.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
Benefits administered by DWP do not include a specific amount for sanitary products, just as they do not include a specific amount for any other item such as food or fuel charges. Instead, an “applicable amount” is set through legislation passed by Parliament for each benefit.
An applicable amount is a standard national figure which the Government believes reflects the basic living needs of an applicant and their family.
There is no objective way of deciding what an adequate level of benefit should be. Every person has different requirements, and the Government strongly believes that individuals should be free to spend their benefits in the way that best suits their individual circumstances.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Treasury Committee on 12 December 2016, in response to Q311, who in his Department is responsible for assessing whether grant applications for Horizon 2020 funding are (a) value for money and (b) in line with Government objectives.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
In response to Q311, at the Treasury Committee on Monday 12 December, the Chancellor made reference to the process for EU Structural Funds rather than for Horizon 2020
The Treasury will underwrite all successful bids for Horizon 2020 that are approved by the Commission, even when specific projects continue beyond the departure from the EU.
Government departments will not assess Horizon 2020 grant applications – Horizon 2020 is an EU programme, independent of the UK government, and grant funding is awarded by the Commission based on peer review.
UK businesses and Universities should continue to bid for competitive EU funds while we remain a member of the EU. We will work with the Commission to ensure payment when funds are awarded.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has for transferring the administration of Attendance Allowance to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The Business Rate Retention consultation published by the Department for Communities and Local Government sought views on a wide variety of financial measures for Local Authorities in England including giving greater support for older people with care needs through local provision. The responses to this consultation are currently being considered and the Government will issue its response in due course.
The Government recognises the valuable role that Attendance Allowance has played in supporting older people with care needs as a result of their disability or long term health condition. Should changes be considered to the support currently provided by Attendance Allowance as part of any Business Rate Retention package, a further detailed consultation would be undertaken on this specific issue and we would involve key stakeholders in this process.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time is for claimants of universal credit to receive their first payment.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The information you have requested is not currently quality assured for release.
We hope to be able to release data on this later this year after it has been quality assured.
Asked by: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who had their entitlement to the personal independent payment enhanced mobility rate removed and then reinstated on appeal were required to return a mobility vehicle or aid before that reinstatement in 2014-15.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department does not routinely collect information on the numbers of people who have had to return a Motability vehicle nor on whether they were successful on appeal. Motability is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme, including collating its own management information. Whilst the Department meets regularly with Motability to discuss scheme performance, questions relating to the details of the scheme’s operation should be directed to Motability itself.