Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what progress her Department has made in using the 2011 census classifications that differentiate Gypsies and Travellers.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by the Right Honourable member for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head in response to PQ3878 which stated:
“The Department does not currently report on Gypsies and Travellers separately. As a relatively small group it can be difficult to obtain reliable data for statistical analysis especially when claimants are not required to give ethnicity. The Department has raised awareness of amongst Jobcentre work coaches regarding the cultural aspects of gypsy / traveller lifestyles.”
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, since 2016, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, and pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2018 to Question 134113, on Travellers: Equality, what meetings (a) she and (b her predecessor have had since 2016 with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on using the 2011 census classifications that differentiate Gypsies and Travellers.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
There have been no meetings between the Minister for the Cabinet Office & Paymaster General and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions since 2016 on using 2011 census classifications that differentiate Gypsies and Travellers.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 20 March 2018 on Access to Work Scheme, HCWS563, what estimate her Department has made of the number of additional disabled people who will potentially receive assistance as a result of increasing the Access to Work grant.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The Written Ministerial Statement of 20 March on Access to Work announced that the Access to Work award limit, currently £42,100 per year, will rise from 1st April 2018 to £57,200 per annum. This will make available an increased level of potential support to those using Access to Work. We intend to publish an update to the Equality Analysis published in May 2015 as a formal addendum.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-access-to-work
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when her Department plans to publish its mid-term review of the European Social Fund Operational Programme.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
England’s Managing Authority (MA) for the European Social Fund (ESF) has conducted a ‘mid-term review’ of the ESF England Operational Programme (OP) to ensure it is fit for purpose going forward. The review notably focused on strategic objectives, lessons learned, and maximising value for money. The MA is now implementing these changes in conjunction with the European Commission (EC) through a two-stage approach. Any amended elements of the revised OP are subject to the Commission's approval under Article 96(10) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and we are unable to publish amendments until we have received the formal adoption notification.
The first phase of the review was concluded in December 2017 through the European Commission’s Implementing Decision C(2017) 8861. We will be finalising the second phase of the review over the coming months and anticipate publishing the refreshed OP (reflecting both stages) in the spring, subject to EC approval timelines.
ESF is a devolved matter for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the average length of time taken to complete a universal credit claim from registration to declaration.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
For all declarations to 6th December 2017 the average length of time from registration to declaration was 2 days.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the extent of problems new universal credit claimants are having with the digital service claimant journey.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
Over 80% of people are satisfied with their experience of Universal Credit and are comfortable managing their finances.
The main route to access Universal Credit is through digital channels and 99% of Universal Credit claims are made online. Wi-Fi and computers are available in Jobcentres across the country, including 8000 additional computers installed to support the introduction of Universal Credit. This provides digital access in every Jobcentre for claimants to use when they do not have access at home. A free telephone helpline and face to face support are also available for claimants to make and manage a Universal Credit claim.
We are also making £200m available for Universal Support which provides advice, assistance or support from Jobcentre Plus or local partners to help Universal Credit claimants with managing their claim or award of Universal Credit, including building their IT confidence.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of potential universal credit claimants failed to complete their registration in the 28 days after account verification.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The information requested is not available.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of potential universal credit claimants failed to complete their registration in the first seven days after registering their account.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The information requested is not available.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department plans to ensure that benefit assessors are equipped with adequate knowledge to assess personal independence payment claimants who present with symptoms of (a) brain tumours and (b) rare and complex conditions.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The objective of the PIP assessment is to assess the impact that health conditions and impairments can have on an individual’s daily life. The PIP assessment is not a medical assessment requiring the Health Professional to diagnose a condition or to recommend treatment options.
PIP Health Professionals are medically qualified and have received comprehensive training in disability analysis and identifying the effects that health conditions and impairments can have on an individual’s daily life.
Health Professionals have access to a range of resources as well as experienced clinicians to support them in assessing claimants with complex conditions. In addition, the Assessment Providers frequently engage with medical experts, charities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen, review and update their training programmes.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with HM Treasury on funding for existing EU structural and investment projects; and if all such projects meet the criteria of providing strong value for money and are in line with domestic strategic priorities.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The Department is in regular contact with HM Treasury regarding funding for EU Structural and Investment Funds projects. All EU Structural and Investment Funds projects,signed to date, deliver value for money, are in line with domestic strategic priorities and will be guaranteed by the Government after the UK leaves the EU.