Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what claimant support is offered to individuals with low levels of literacy, numeracy or computer skills.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Identifying skills needs (sometimes called skills screenings) are an integral part of work coach meetings with claimants. This process involves observation and discussion to gather evidence on skills, qualifications, previous training and work history.
The information gathered determines whether the claimant has any potential skills gaps in relation to their individual job goals and jobs readily available in the local labour market.
Where further investigation is needed for potential basic skills needs (English/maths/ICT) claimants can be asked to complete the paper-based Fast Track Screening Tool. The tool is a short series of questions completed by the claimant and marked by the work coach to indicate potential basic skills needs.
Where a potential skills need is identified, the claimant can then be referred to an initial assessment with a learning provider (DfE funded through the Adult Education Budget) to confirm their skill level or alternatively referred for a more detailed assessment with the National Careers Service or equivalent in Scotland and Wales.
Work Coaches use the evidence gathered through the initial screening and subsequent provider assessment to decide what remedial training or other action is required to help the claimant find work.
Additionally, during the transition to Universal Credit, the UC Programme has made available funding to Local Authorities to 2022 to provide Universal Support – Assisted Digital, to support claimants who need help transacting with the new UC digital service.
Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is given to claimants of universal credit during the assessment process.
Answered by Damian Hinds
We have a number of safeguards in place to help claimants transition to Universal Credit including Advances and Budgeting Support. Claimants can apply for an advance immediately and can receive up to 50 percent of their indicative award shortly afterwards. Personal Budgeting Support is also discussed at the claimant’s initial work search interview to gauge their potential support needs and can include money advice. We continue to work closely with landlords, Local Authorities and other organisations to ensure claimants are supported throughout the assessment process.
Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are in receipt of universal credit in Southampton.
Answered by Damian Hinds
As of December 2016 there were 390 (to the nearest 10) people in receipt of Universal Credit in the Southampton and Itchen constituency.
This information is published and available at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
Guidance for users is available at:
https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what income support is given to benefit claimants who transition from one benefit to another to prevent long periods of no income.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Any individual experiencing financial hardship while awaiting payment of their benefit award can apply for a Short Term Benefit Advance (STBA). The award of an STBA is based upon eligibility criteria. Payments of a STBA are recovered from benefit once it has been awarded.
Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to promote the uptake of the Access to Work programme with (a) employers and (b) employees.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
We have promoted Access to Work as part of Disability Confident, and will continue to do so. Disability Confident gives employers the tools and advice they need to think differently about disability and to take action to recruit, retain and develop disabled workers.
We are also undertaking further marketing and promotion of the Access to Work programme. This includes working with stakeholders and partners and employer associations to raise awareness through communications to their customers and ensuring advisers who work with potential customers, including Jobcentre Plus, health professionals and advisory groups, have the information and tools to act as advocates.
Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people receiving hardship payments have had recovery of money suspended as a result of the claimant finding work at or above their earnings threshold in each of the last three years.
Answered by Damian Hinds
This information requested is not available.
Asked by: Royston Smith (Conservative - Southampton, Itchen)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what new financial savings products have been introduced by third party companies to support people in receipt of universal credit.
Answered by Damian Hinds
A range of financial support is offered as part of the Universal Support framework which is delivered by jobcentres and local partners, such as Local Authorities, to help claimants manage their claim or award of Universal Credit.
The department also works with the financial industry to develop products to support claimants.