Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to ensure that recipients of the Scottish Government's health and social care workers £500 bonus payment who are in receipt of universal credit are able to keep the full amount of that payment.
Answered by Will Quince
The Government recognises the vital role that all key workers including health and social care workers continue to play.
Universal Credit (UC) is designed to ensure that people are better off in work by reducing their UC by less than they are earning. Bonuses are treated as earnings in Universal Credit and the taper is applied when the UC award is calculated.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions his Department has had with foreign Governments on the merits of uprating the state retirement pensions of UK pensioners living in countries where that pension is frozen.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has no plans to change its policy on uprating UK State Pensions overseas. This is a longstanding policy which has been supported by successive Governments for over 70 years.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all UK state pensioners have financial security in (a) the UK and (b) overseas.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve. The State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people.
The UK State Pension is payable worldwide to those who meet the qualifying conditions. It is based on a person’s National Insurance record without regard to nationality.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total reduction was for all benefit awards resulting from sanctions in Airdrie and Shotts constituency in the most recent period for which figures are available.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total reduction was for all benefit awards resulting from sanctions in Scotland in the most recent period for which figures are available.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total amount of reduction was for all benefit awards resulting from sanctions in (a) Airdrie and Shotts constituency, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in the latest year for which data is available.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Benefit statistics for Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Department for Communities:
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/benefits-statistics
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect on disabled claimants of legislation to convert the severe disability premium transitional payment into a transitional element.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Severe Disability Premium transitional payments are part of the wider transitional protection framework and it has always been the intention to convert Severe Disability Premium transitional payments into a transitional element as soon as we had developed the capability to do so safely and effectively. This ensures fair and equal treatment for all people receiving a transitional element. When the Severe Disability Premium transitional payment is converted to a transitional element the flat rate payment will be the same amount and will be included in the Universal Credit award.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2020 to Question 84635 on Social Security Benefits, what recent assessment she has made of the accessibility of telephone assessments for claimants of (a) personal independence payment and (b) other welfare benefits during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
All of our assessment providers are advised to consider the needs of claimants when arranging assessment appointments. If a claimant believes they may have difficulties attending their appointment or that they need additional support, the claimant should discuss this with their provider as soon as possible, using the contact details on their appointment letter.
We are aware that for some claimants, particularly those with certain health conditions or disabilities, it may not be possible or appropriate to carry out assessments over the telephone. Where it is not possible to carry out a Personal Independence Payment telephone assessment, a decision will be made based on all the evidence available to ensure any payment is not delayed. For Work Capability Assessments, claimants will remain on their current award until we gather the evidence needed to make a recommendation or are able to conduct a face to face assessment, or until their benefit is due to end (new-style ESA).