Asked by: Thelma Walker (Labour - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the number of job centre staff who speak a second language fluently.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Department does not hold information relating to second languages spoken by Jobcentre Staff.
Asked by: Thelma Walker (Labour - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobcentre staff hold a level 2 British Sign Language qualification.
Answered by Sarah Newton
Information on the total number of Jobcentre staff who, in a professional or personal capacity, hold a level 2 British Sign Language qualification is not held and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Claimants who require an interpreter are able to access this support via the contracted provision available.
Asked by: Thelma Walker (Labour - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of changing the work capability assessment to take into account degenerative illnesses.
Answered by Sarah Newton
We are committed to assessing people with health conditions and disabilities fairly and accurately, helping people to access the right support. We recognise the importance of getting reform in this area right. We therefore intend to focus on testing new approaches to build our evidence base for future reform. In the Improving Lives: The Future of health, Work and Disability command paper we committed to work with external stakeholders to inform future changes to the Work Capability Assessment.
Asked by: Thelma Walker (Labour - Colne Valley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to tackle unemployment among people over the age of 50 who have been made redundant.
Answered by Damian Hinds
The Government is committed to supporting people aged 50 and over to remain in or return to the labour market and recognises that people who are made redundant over the age of 50 face additional barriers.
In Feb 2017, Government published a new strategy ‘Fuller Working Lives: A Partnership Approach. The Strategy is led by employers, but also sets out the case for action by individuals, and the role of Government in supporting older workers to remain in and return to work. The Strategy and supporting evidence base are available at the attached web address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuller-working-lives-a-partnership-approach
To tackle outdated perceptions about older workers Government appointed the Business In The Community (BITC) Age at Work leadership team led by Andy Briggs, CEO of Aviva UK Life and Chairman of Global Life, as Business Champion for Older Workers, to spearhead the Government’s work. The team actively promote the benefits of older workers to employers across England – influencing them both strategically and in terms of practical advice.
DWP has expanded the Older Claimant Champion network in all 34 Jobcentre Plus districts. The Older Claimant Champions work collaboratively with over 11,000 work coaches and employer facing staff to raise the profile of older workers, highlight the benefits of employing older jobseekers and share best practice.
Everyone that claims Universal Credit will get targeted, personalised and work focussed support. The Department aims to support claimants with the same Work Coach throughout the duration of their Universal Credit claim, meaning claimants can build a relationship with their Work Coach.
Asked by: Thelma Walker (Labour - Colne Valley)
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 potential merits of moving the date of eligibility for over 80’s winter fuel allowance to the start of the financial year.
Answered by Guy Opperman
A person is entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment based on their circumstances in the week beginning on the third Monday in September (known as the qualifying week). This ensures that entitlement relies, among other things, on their age during that week, and it means that most people receive their payment before Christmas. If the qualifying week were moved to the start of the financial year, then those reaching the age of 80 after that week would not receive the higher rate of £300 until the winter after their 81st birthday.