Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training is provided to Jobcentre staff on supporting claimants with hidden disabilities.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP recognises the importance of providing learning to enable all Jobcentre staff in customer contact roles to meet the needs of all our claimants, including those with hidden disabilities.

Jobcentre staff receive role specific learning, which:

• provides a definition of hidden disability and explains the impacts this may have on claimants
• gives examples of hidden disabilities and health conditions
• provides awareness of undiagnosed hidden disability
• ensures learners understand both their Public Sector Equality Duty responsibilities, and how to support claimants’ additional needs

• enables staff to signpost claimants to appropriate external specialist support.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has considered introducing safeguards to prevent the withdrawal of Universal Credit payments where those payments are required to cover housing costs.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Department has safeguards in place to help ensure customers can meet their housing costs and sustain their tenancies. This includes measures to protect customers’ income, such as capping deductions from the standard allowance at 15 per cent, as well as Alternative Payment Arrangements where there is a risk of rent arrears or financial harm, including paying the housing element directly to the landlord through a Managed Payment to Landlord.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review communication on the Universal Credit journal to distinguish between different types of appointments, including digital and telephone appointments.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

When a Universal Credit appointment is created the claimant is informed of the date, time and the channel of their appointment, whether it will take place by telephone, video (including a link to join) or face to face (with details of the venue). This information is reported in their journal and is confirmed through the claimant’s chosen notification method.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps are taken to inform claimants when their Universal Credit journal will not be (a) monitored and (b) responded to, including for temporary administrative reasons.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Claimants are routinely informed of actions, requests and updates through journal messages, which are recorded on their UC account to ensure transparency and provide a clear audit trail of communications. DWP staff are required to leave journal messages when taking action on a claim and to ensure claimants have visibility of requests, updates, next steps and any outstanding actions.

Where further action or response is required from the claimant, this is communicated through the journal, including any relevant deadlines, and claimants are advised that they can reply in their journal or contact the Department if they need further support. The claimant can write messages in their journal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, they are aware that they will not receive a response to their messages outside office hours.

Where claimants are unable to use their journal or require additional support, alternative channels are available, including telephone contact and Jobcentre support, to ensure they are able to engage with the Department.

If the service is down, there is an automated message to advise claimants the service is temporarily unavailable.

The Department keeps under review how it communicates with claimants to ensure information is clear and timely, including how updates and responses are provided through the UC journal.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made on the impacts of the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the Coastguard Rescue Service.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Changing the CRS operating model was not something which we wanted to do, but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, the wider organisational impact and the effect on individuals have all been considered, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement. The CRO’s were clear that serving their community was a major reason why they volunteer.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department provides to Jobcentres on avoiding repeated (a) changes and (b) cancellations of appointments for claimants with learning difficulties and other vulnerabilities.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Jobcentre guidance emphasises identifying, recording and acting on a claimant’s individual needs, including any reasonable adjustments, accessibility requirements or support.

This helps Work Coaches plan appointments in a way that reflects the claimant’s circumstances, including tailoring frequency, format and communication method. Appointments can be flexed and delivered by alternative channels, such as telephone or home visits, where appropriate.

Enhanced service journeys provide more flexible and proactive contact for claimants needing additional support.

Staff are expected to consider each claimant’s circumstances when arranging and reviewing appointments, helping to minimise unnecessary changes or cancellations and provide a stable, effective service.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department will require Jobcentres to provide claimants and their representatives with named representative for their designated contact officer.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

When a claimant is allocated to a Work Coach or Case Manager they are currently provided with a named point of contact.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to enable supporters of vulnerable claimants to contact Jobcentres by telephone.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Universal Credit is a digital-first service, but it is not digital-only. Support is available by telephone and face to face where appropriate, including for vulnerable claimants or those who cannot access digital services.

Claimants can opt to make and manage their claim by telephone. Work Coaches and Case Managers can use alternative contact methods, with appropriate easements and safeguards in place to help claimants maintain their claim. Home Visits are also made if this is deemed the most appropriate method for the claimant.

Where a claimant cannot manage their affairs independently, an appointee or authorised representative may act on their behalf in dealings with the Department. A representative is any person or organisation acting on behalf of, or making enquiries for, the claimant. This can be arranged at any stage of the claimant’s Universal Credit claim if a claimant is unable to understand more complex issues or unable to maintain their account. This information can only be provided to the third party if there is explicit consent. Certain information, such as documents relating to identification, can never be released to a third party under any circumstances. If the claimant has given consent, then the third party can contact the department by phone on their behalf.

Accessibility needs and reasonable adjustments are considered individually on a case-by-case basis and reviewed regularly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to review sanctions that apply following a first missed appointment.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department keeps the operation of conditionality and sanctions policies and processes under regular review to ensure they remain clear, fair and effective.

Details on the Department’s assessment and position on a number of benefit sanctions related matters, including the potential use of warnings for first failures, can be found in our recent response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on Recommendation 4 of its report Get Britain Working: Reforming Jobcentres (HC 653) (https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50172/documents/270724/default/)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy is for staff (a) reviewing and (b) interviewing Universal Credit claimants records ahead of conducting appointments.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Department for Work and Pensions expects staff to use relevant information held on DWP systems when preparing for and conducting Universal Credit appointments.

This includes reviewing claimant circumstances, work search activity, agreed requirements and any evidence or updates provided through the claimant’s Universal Credit account.

Line Managers also case review with Work Coaches during coaching sessions, one-to-one meetings and training. Work Coaches may seek additional support and advice from specialist Work Coaches such as Disability Employment Advisers and Domestic Abuse Champions.

During appointments, Work Coaches use this information to discuss progress, tailor support and ensure claimants understand what is required of them. Staff then update the claimant’s account in readiness to review next time.

Staff are also expected to consider individual circumstances, including health conditions, vulnerabilities or barriers to work, and adapt their approach where appropriate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what procedures are in place to ensure that claimants are immediately informed of their right to challenge a sanction and seek accessible support.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Claimants are clearly informed of their rights when a sanction decision is made. All sanction decision letters include details of what to do if a claimant disagrees with the decision, including how to seek a review and access support.

When a claimant is notified of a sanction they are also informed of their right to:

• ask for an explanation;
• ask for a mandatory reconsideration; and
• following a mandatory reconsideration, appeal to an independent tribunal.

If a claimant disagrees with a sanction decision, they can request a Mandatory Reconsideration for the decision to be reviewed, and if they remain dissatisfied, they can appeal to a tribunal.

These actions can be taken through a range of accessible channels to ensure claimants can seek support in a way that best meets their needs, including via their online Universal Credit journal, face-to-face in a Jobcentre, or through DWP telephone services.

This ensures claimants are promptly informed of their rights to challenge a sanction and are able to access appropriate support through multiple channels.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that students from countries experiencing armed conflict who have been awarded scholarships at UK universities can take up their places; and what steps her Department is taking to provide assistance with (a) visas, (b) travel, and (c) provision for their dependants.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The UK welcomes students affected by conflict who wish to come to the UK through existing immigration routes. All individuals, including eligible dependants, must meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules and are subject to robust security and visa checks.

The UK has a proud history of offering protection to those most in need. In the Restoring Order and Control statement published last year, alongside the measures to get control of the asylum system, this Government committed to introduce new safe and legal routes to offer sanctuary to those genuinely fleeing war and persecution from around the world.

As part of this, we will be introducing a new route for refugee and displaced students to study in the UK, helping talented refugees to continue their studies and realise their potential.

As confirmed in the Foreign Secretary’s statement of 24 June 2026, the Government has renewed support for high achieving students from Gaza and their eligible dependants to take up fully funded scholarships at UK universities for the 2026/27 academic year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the extent to which services supporting adopted and looked after children meet their needs.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Through our ‘Adoption Support that Works for All’ consultation on the future of adoption support, the department is seeking evidence from groups including young people, adopters and carers about the support they would like to see made available, including as young people navigate key transition points. We plan to publish our response later in the year.

Our Implementation Plan, ‘Delivering the Children’s Social Care Reset’, sets out an ambitious programme of change across children’s social care so that young people have opportunities to thrive however challenging their experiences have been. The plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-the-childrens-social-care-reset.

Our Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act will drive forward our reforms and place a new duty on local authorities to provide Staying Close support to care leavers up to the age of 25 and to publish information about their arrangements to support care leavers’ transition to adulthood.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve services to support adopted and looked after children transitioning to adulthood.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Through our ‘Adoption Support that Works for All’ consultation on the future of adoption support, the department is seeking evidence from groups including young people, adopters and carers about the support they would like to see made available, including as young people navigate key transition points. We plan to publish our response later in the year.

Our Implementation Plan, ‘Delivering the Children’s Social Care Reset’, sets out an ambitious programme of change across children’s social care so that young people have opportunities to thrive however challenging their experiences have been. The plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-the-childrens-social-care-reset.

Our Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act will drive forward our reforms and place a new duty on local authorities to provide Staying Close support to care leavers up to the age of 25 and to publish information about their arrangements to support care leavers’ transition to adulthood.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what arrangements are in place to ensure that claimants who have previously received support from a Disability Employment Advisor are known to all staff interacted with.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

To ensure customers with complex barriers receive the right support from Jobcentres, our Disability Employment Advisers offer direct support (1-2-1) to customers on top of the help provided by their work coach or Pathways to Work Adviser. Using their knowledge of the local community, Disability Employment Advisers also collaborate with local organisations (e.g. GPs, NHS, charities) to facilitate support that meets customer needs.

Throughout the customer health journey, Disability Employment Advisers assist work coaches and Pathways to Work Advisers with tailoring their support to help disabled customers and those with long-term health conditions move closer to and into the labour market. This includes ensuring that the customer’s support needs are noted in the additional support record on the Universal Credit live service operating system.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the needs of people with autism are understood and accommodated by police forces.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The College of Policing set the professional standards for police in England and Wales. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver a service to be proud of relating to neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.

Through this working group the NPCC are seeking to pull together examples and knowledge of good practice, to help share thinking to help each autonomous force find solutions to their local challenges.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration he has given to reviewing criteria for those in receipt of Attendance Allowance to be able to access to the Motability scheme.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Attendance Allowance is intended to help those with a severe disability who have long term care or supervision needs which arise after reaching State Pension age. Government mobility support is focused on people who are disabled earlier in life; developing mobility needs in older life is a normal consequence of ageing, which non-disabled younger people have had opportunity to plan and save for.

There is no constraint on what an award of Attendance Allowance can be spent on, and a recipient may choose to use this benefit to fund mobility aids.

Qualifying benefits for the Motability Scheme are the enhanced rate mobility component Personal Independence Payment (enhanced rate mobility component Adult Disability Payment in Scotland), higher rate mobility component Disability Living Allowance (higher rate mobility component Child Disability Payment in Scotland), Armed Forces Independence Payment and War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.

Retirement of Godfrey Asare and Margaret Labulo from the Members' Tea Room

Memorial plaque for Ann Widdecombe

Palantir and the NHS (No. 2)

Duty to assess mental capacity

Prosecution of parents of children with SEND for school absence

Deaths of humanitarian de-miners from Norwegian People's Aid

Public health campaign on the dangers of swimming in open water

110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

VAT for UK hospitality