Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Feb 2022
Oral Answers to Questions
"I welcome the British Sign Language Bill and the important commitment to ensure that the access to work scheme better meets the needs of BSL users. Will the Minister commit to driving that work forward at pace to ensure that more deaf people are supported in reaching their potential?..."Jo Gideon - View Speech
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Written Question
Friday 10th September 2021
Asked by:
Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question
to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the reasons why young people have accessed Discretionary Housing Payment.
Answered by Will Quince
We have made no specific assessment of the reasons why young people have accessed Discretionary Housing Payments.
Discretionary Housing Payments can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit who require further financial assistance towards housing costs is required.
Local authorities administer the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme as they are best placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs in their area to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the funds are targeted effectively.
There are no prescribed resources tests; local authorities simply have to be satisfied that the person concerned is in need of further financial assistance towards housing costs.
There is no limit to the length of time over which a Discretionary Housing Payment award may be made. It may be awarded for a short period to give a claimant time to deal with their financial circumstances or for an indefinite period until their circumstances change. The start and end dates of an award are decided by local authorities on a case-by-case basis.
Since 2011, the government has provided over £1 billion in Discretionary Housing Payments to local authorities to help support vulnerable people affected by welfare reforms.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 04 Mar 2021
Income Tax (Charge)
"This Budget provides the right balance, reflecting both the need to continue to protect those struggling the most and the recognition that, with the phenomenal success of our vaccination programme, the Government are right to focus on building back better, stronger, fairer and greener.
In Stoke-on-Trent, we have high hopes …..."Jo Gideon - View Speech
View all Jo Gideon (Con - Stoke-on-Trent Central) contributions to the debate on: Income Tax (Charge)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 19 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
" What steps her Department has taken to support an effective transition between legacy benefits and universal credit. ..."Jo Gideon - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 19 Oct 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. With difficult times ahead for Stoke-on-Trent families hit by the economic downturn caused by coronavirus, does my hon. Friend agree that it is more important than ever for universal credit to offer any necessary flexibility to ensure people get the support they …..."Jo Gideon - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 03 Sep 2020
Kickstart Scheme
"I welcome the opportunity that the kickstart scheme provides for many young people in Stoke-on-Trent Central whose employment prospects have been affected disproportionately in this pandemic. It is a great opportunity for them to get a foot on the jobs ladder. I thank my right hon. Friend for confirming that …..."Jo Gideon - View Speech
View all Jo Gideon (Con - Stoke-on-Trent Central) contributions to the debate on: Kickstart Scheme