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
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
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
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
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.