Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking through the provision of apprenticeships to tackle skills shortages in manufacturing in Calder Valley.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will give greater flexibility to employers and learners across the country, including in Calder Valley, and support the industrial strategy.
We know that skills gaps are holding back business growth across the country and that is why the government is supporting employers to invest in skills training. Employers have long been calling for greater flexibility in the apprenticeships levy, and we are delivering this.
In August, we reduced the minimum duration of an apprenticeship to 8 months so that shorter apprenticeships are possible. All sectors will be able to make use of this flexibility where this is appropriate for the role or the apprentice. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.
Additionally, we have introduced new foundation apprenticeships, to give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage while developing vital skills. The first foundation apprenticeships are focussed on industrial strategy and priority areas including engineering and manufacturing.
They will be underpinned by an employer incentive payment of up to £2,000 to contribute to the extra costs of supporting someone at the beginning of their career. This is in addition to the £1,000 we pay to employers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in care.
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support the engineering and manufacturing industry to take on apprentices.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will give greater flexibility to employers and learners across the country, including in Calder Valley, and support the industrial strategy.
We know that skills gaps are holding back business growth across the country and that is why the government is supporting employers to invest in skills training. Employers have long been calling for greater flexibility in the apprenticeships levy, and we are delivering this.
In August, we reduced the minimum duration of an apprenticeship to 8 months so that shorter apprenticeships are possible. All sectors will be able to make use of this flexibility where this is appropriate for the role or the apprentice. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.
Additionally, we have introduced new foundation apprenticeships, to give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage while developing vital skills. The first foundation apprenticeships are focussed on industrial strategy and priority areas including engineering and manufacturing.
They will be underpinned by an employer incentive payment of up to £2,000 to contribute to the extra costs of supporting someone at the beginning of their career. This is in addition to the £1,000 we pay to employers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in care.
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of neurological disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:
The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:
The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently.
We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
Source: DWP Administrative Data
Notes:
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of malignant disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:
The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:
The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently.
We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
Source: DWP Administrative Data
Notes:
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of cardiovascular disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:
The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:
The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently.
We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
Source: DWP Administrative Data
Notes:
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup with (a) musculoskeletal disease (general) and (b) musculoskeletal disease (regional) recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were awarded a score of at least two in (i) six, (ii) seven, (iii) eight, (iv) nine and (v) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:
The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:
The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently.
We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
Source: DWP Administrative Data
Notes:
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of respiratory disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:
The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:
The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently.
We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
Source: DWP Administrative Data
Notes:
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were (i) waiting for and (ii) receiving treatment for a (A) physical and (B) mental health condition as of 23 June 2025.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department does not hold data on whether Personal Independence Payment claimants are waiting for or receiving treatment for their primary medical condition.
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were (i) in receipt of and (ii) eligible for out-of-work benefits as of 23 June 2025.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We only hold data on PIP claimants who are also in receipt of out of work benefits. We do not hold data on their eligibility for benefits they are not in receipt of. Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits in February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.
Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits as of February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.
Primary medical condition | Enhanced Daily Living | Standard Daily Living |
All main medical conditions | 168,380 | 791,140 |
All psychiatric disorders | 66,490 | 243,070 |
Anxiety disorders | 2,540 | 12,420 |
Autistic spectrum disorders | 1,640 | 6,330 |
Cognitive disorders | 320 | 800 |
Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder) | 10 | 50 |
Eating disorders | 110 | 380 |
Enuresis | - | 10 |
Factitious disorder | - | - |
Faecal soiling (encopresis) | - | 20 |
Hyperkinetic disorder | 1,690 | 7,380 |
Learning disability global | 960 | 1,820 |
Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders | 32,970 | 119,900 |
Mood disorders | 11,440 | 39,870 |
Obsessive compulsive disorder | 460 | 2,050 |
Other psychiatric disorders of childhood | 20 | 70 |
Personality disorder | 3,520 | 11,770 |
Psychotic disorders | 4,220 | 19,930 |
Somatoform and dissociative disorders | 70 | 270 |
Specific learning disorder | 770 | 1,480 |
Stress reactions | 4,650 | 14,470 |
Notes:
Asked by: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour - Calder Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the daily living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the daily living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were (i) in receipt of and (ii) eligible for out-of-work benefits as of 23 June 2025.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We only hold data on PIP claimants who are also in receipt of out of work benefits. We do not hold data on their eligibility for benefits they are not in receipt of. Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits in February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.
Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits as of February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.
Primary medical condition | Enhanced Daily Living | Standard Daily Living |
All main medical conditions | 168,380 | 791,140 |
All psychiatric disorders | 66,490 | 243,070 |
Anxiety disorders | 2,540 | 12,420 |
Autistic spectrum disorders | 1,640 | 6,330 |
Cognitive disorders | 320 | 800 |
Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder) | 10 | 50 |
Eating disorders | 110 | 380 |
Enuresis | - | 10 |
Factitious disorder | - | - |
Faecal soiling (encopresis) | - | 20 |
Hyperkinetic disorder | 1,690 | 7,380 |
Learning disability global | 960 | 1,820 |
Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders | 32,970 | 119,900 |
Mood disorders | 11,440 | 39,870 |
Obsessive compulsive disorder | 460 | 2,050 |
Other psychiatric disorders of childhood | 20 | 70 |
Personality disorder | 3,520 | 11,770 |
Psychotic disorders | 4,220 | 19,930 |
Somatoform and dissociative disorders | 70 | 270 |
Specific learning disorder | 770 | 1,480 |
Stress reactions | 4,650 | 14,470 |
Notes: