Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to take further fiscal steps to reduce the impact of the rising cost of living on people who have sight loss.
Answered by John Glen
The Government recognises that the rising cost of living has presented additional financial challenges to many people, and especially to the most vulnerable members of society, such as blind or partially sighted people. That is why the Government is taking decisive action to get households through this winter, while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.
People who are blind or partially sighted and in receipt of extra-costs disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from 20th September, to help with the rising cost of living. The DWP has already processed around 6 million such payments. This payment can be received in addition to the other £650 Cost of Living Payment for households on means-tested benefits that was announced as part of the same package. Individuals who have limited or no ability to work because of their disability or health condition, and are in receipt of means-tested benefits such as income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the Universal Credit Health top up, are eligible for this support.
People who are blind or partially sighted will also benefit from other forms of non-means-tested support which the Government is providing to assist with household energy bills. We have taken decisive action to support millions of households with rising energy costs this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee, which limits the price suppliers can charge customers for units of gas and electricity. In addition to the Energy Price Guarantee, millions of the most vulnerable households will receive further support this year through the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme. The £150 Council Tax rebate will also mean that all households in Council Tax bands A-D will receive a rebate, and 99% of eligible households have already received this. Lastly, to support households who need further help or who are not eligible for elements of the wider package of support, the Government is also providing an extra £500 million of local support to help with the cost of essentials until the end of March 2023, via the Household Support Fund.
This cost of living support is in addition to the existing specific financial support to help blind or partially sighted people. The Government provides the Blind Person's Allowance (BPA), an extra amount of tax-free allowance that can be added to an individual’s Personal Allowance, to those who are blind or severely sight impaired. In 2022-23, the allowance is £2,600 and therefore worth £520 given the basic rate of 20%. If the recipient does not pay tax or earn enough to use their full BPA, the remainder of the allowance can be transferred to a spouse or civil partner.
We are continuing to keep the situation under review and are focusing support on the most vulnerable whilst ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employees, excluding third-party contractors, (a) began employment with and (b) ceased employment with the Financial Conduct Authority in each month in the period (i) May 2019 to February 2020 inclusive and (ii) August 2021 to May 2022 inclusive.
Answered by John Glen
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is operationally independent from the Government. Questions about the FCA’s day to day decision making, including details about its employees, are matters for the independent FCA.
These questions have therefore been passed to the FCA who will respond directly to the honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress the Government has made in negotiations with the European Commission on the UK exclusion from conditions relating to fiscal representatives for the EU Import One Stop Shop scheme.
Answered by John Glen
Although the EU Commission has not been willing to progress a solution, the UK continues to press the Commission to take the necessary steps to exclude the UK from the requirements on fiscal representatives for the EU Import One Stop Shop scheme.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Part One of the National Disability Strategy, published July 2021, what recent steps his Department has taken to (a) encourage and support workplace disability networks, (b) achieve and maintain the highest level of Disability Confident accreditation, (c) ensure responsive and timely support to meet workplace adjustment needs and (d) develop and embed flexible working.
Answered by Simon Clarke
a) encouraging and supporting workplace disability networks: Treasury encourages and supports disability networks within the department, they are formed by volunteers, meet on a regular basis, share experiences, hold awareness raising events, and form a part of the consultation process for corporate changes.
(b) achieving and maintaining the highest level of Disability Confident accreditation: The Treasury achieved the highest level of Disability Confident accreditation in October 2017 and has maintained that level.
(c) ensuring responsive and timely support to meet workplace adjustment needs: The Treasury has an internal centralised process for workplace adjustments, and if necessary, seeks advice from the Civil Service workplace adjustments team for complicated cases, and promoted the use of the workplace adjustments passports
(d) developing and embedding flexible working: The Treasury has a flexible working policy, and promotes a range of options including flexible working patterns, part-time, job-share and condensed hours
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to ensure clinically extremely vulnerable disabled workers who cannot work from home are furloughed by their employers during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Jesse Norman - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is available to all employers and employees providing they meet the eligibility criteria, and this includes the clinically extremely vulnerable and disabled workers.
In cases where their employer chooses not to furlough them under the CJRS and does not have other suitable policies in place (e.g. the ability to work from home, or the provision of special leave), Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is available as a safety net. Those who receive a notification that they need to shield from going to work if they cannot work from home, will be eligible for SSP from their employer, or new style Employment and Support Allowance, subject to the wider eligibility criteria. Individuals on low incomes may also be able to claim Universal Credit, depending on their personal circumstances.