Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what areas of his Department's expenditure spending reductions are planned.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The Government’s commitment to save £12bn from welfare spending was set out in its election manifesto. Further details will be given in due course.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which policies contained in the 2010 Coalition Agreement and falling under his Department's responsibilities have not yet been implemented; and what the reasons are for each such policy's non-implementation.
Answered by Esther McVey
I refer the hon. Member to Departmental Business Plans which record all commitments, timescales for completion and progress against them. The Business Plans are fully transparent and are available at: http://transparency.number10.gov.uk/.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what arrangements his Department has put in place for situations where application forms requesting an increase in local housing allowance (LHA) to cover an increase in rent applied to an eligible LHA claimant are lost by his Department and the applicant consequently faces eviction.
Answered by Steve Webb
The Department for Work and Pensions provides funding for Housing Benefit to Local Authorities in Great Britain. Responsibility for the day to day administration of Housing Benefit lies with Local Authorities.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what arrangements his Department has put in place for situations where application forms requesting an increase in local housing allowance (LHA) to cover an increase in rent applied to an eligible LHA claimant are lost by his Department and the applicant consequently faces eviction.
Answered by Steve Webb
The Department for Work and Pensions provides funding for Housing Benefit to Local Authorities in Great Britain. Responsibility for the day to day administration of Housing Benefit lies with Local Authorities.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what efficiency audit his Department's National Partnership Team has undertaken of the effectiveness of measures established to ensure the take-up of the attendance allowance.
Answered by Lord Harper
The Department for Work and Pensions has not undertaken any efficiency audit on the effectiveness of measures established to ensure take-up of the Attendance Allowance.
The Department publicises benefits information which is available from the Department's offices and advice agencies, including local authorities. Leaflets are also available from various locations, including post offices and Doctors' surgeries. Information about all benefits and how these may be claimed is readily available on the GOV.UK website, or through the DWP Information Line.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what investigation he has carried out of the cancellation of the eligibility for benefits of the family of Tommi Miller from Cambridge after his cancer returned following remission; and what steps he has taken to ensure such cancellations do not take place in similar circumstances in future.
Answered by Lord Harper
There was no cancellation of this child’s DLA award. Following the expiry of a fixed term award, a renewal claim was submitted. This was turned down in April 2014 as evidence at the time suggested that the child was in remission. After the child’s condition then deteriorated again in October 2014, a new claim was received by the Department (on 3 February 2014) and this resulted in an award of the highest rate of both DLA components.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department holds details on the total annual value of welfare benefits claimed in each EU member state by British citizens.
Answered by Esther McVey
Benefits paid by EEA countries to UK citizens in their territory are paid directly to the claimant and are not recorded by the Department.
The Department collects information on the numbers but not the nationality of claimants in receipt of exportable UK benefits in the European Economic Area (EEA). The actual costs are not recorded separately.
Asked by: Paul Flynn (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evaluation he has made of the effect on previously eligible claimants of the Independent Living Fund following its abolition.
Answered by Lord Harper
The potential implications of closing the Independent Living Fund are set out clearly in the Equality Analysis published on 6 March 2014.