Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress the Government's period poverty task force has made in its objectives since it was established.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The cross-sectoral Period Poverty Taskforce launched on 23rd July 2019 and has established three workstreams: Access for All, Research & Evidence and Stigma & Education. The workstreams have met twice and begun to identify: access barriers and the groups that are most affected by them; a programme of work to tackle stigma and shame surrounding menstruation; and research priorities to improve the evidence surrounding period poverty and menstrual stigma in the UK.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to implement the ruling of the Supreme Court on extending bereavement support payments to unmarried couples.
Answered by Will Quince
The Supreme Court ruling related to Widowed Parent's Allowance which can be claimed for deaths before April 2017.
We recognise that we currently have incompatible legislation on the statute books relating to Widowed Parent's Allowance. We are actively considering possible options but there are complex issues to consider which will take time to work through. We will report back to Parliament once we have agreed our approach.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to prepare for potential jobs losses in the event the UK leaves the EU without a negotiated withdrawal agreement.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Government has been clear that leaving the EU with a deal is its preferred option. The Government is, however, continuing to plan for a range of scenarios, including a no deal exit from the EU.
These contingencies ensure that DWP can continue to provide our vital services and that individuals will continue to be able to access DWP benefits and services on the same basis as they do now.
The labour market remains resilient and our employment rate is at a joint record high, but we need to be prepared for changing circumstances, including potential economic impacts of different EU Exit scenarios as well as impacts not related to EU Exit. DWP is working across Government to build the most up to date picture of the labour market, using all available information.
We are committed to helping everyone access fulfilling work while ensuring vulnerable people get the support they need, and leaving the EU on October 31 will not change that.
Asked by: Janet Daby (Labour - Lewisham East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to align standards for protecting workers against exposure to carcinogens or mutagens with the provisions contained in Directive 2004/37/EC.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given for Question 254878.