Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many older people champions are employed in job centres.
Answered by Damian Hinds
We have seven older claimant champions across the jobcentre network, one operating in each of the GB regions. These were introduced in April 2015 to increase awareness among Work Coaches of the barriers faced by older claimants. The Champions work collaboratively with 34 District Leads, along with other colleagues, to raise the profile of older claimants at an operational level, highlight the benefits of employing older people and provide advice and best practice to share nationally.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the role is of older people champions in job centres.
Answered by Damian Hinds
We have seven older claimant champions across the jobcentre network, one operating in each of the GB regions. These were introduced in April 2015 to increase awareness among Work Coaches of the barriers faced by older claimants. The Champions work collaboratively with 34 District Leads, along with other colleagues, to raise the profile of older claimants at an operational level, highlight the benefits of employing older people and provide advice and best practice to share nationally.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it remains the Government's policy to publish a life chances strategy.
Answered by Damian Hinds
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member for Barnsley Central, Dan Jarvis on 17 October [47998].
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has prepared for government departments on implementing the Family Test.
Answered by Priti Patel - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
In October 2014, the Department for Work and Pensions published guidance for Government officials on how the Test should be applied when formulating policy. Produced in collaboration with third sector partners from the Relationship Alliance, the guidance outlines the basis for the Family Test and provides policy officials with information on how the Test can be applied.
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what contingency arrangements his Department has made for the eventuality of a majority leave vote in the upcoming EU referendum.
Answered by Priti Patel - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 14 January 2016