Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of investigations into benefit fraud result find no wrongdoing.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP takes all allegations of fraud seriously, irrespective of reporting method, and will take appropriate action on those cases where there is concern about entitlement.

For regional fraud investigations, conviction data is not currently available for 24/25. There were however 639 prosecutions* (6% of investigations) and 272 Administrative Penalties (3% of investigations) issued.

For serious and economic crime investigations concluded in fiscal year 24/25, there were 26 such convictions** (7% of investigations) and 1 Administrative Penalty (0% of investigations).

Across all fraud investigations concluded in 24/25, 2191 cases had their benefit corrected and 8075 cases resulted in no change.

* Prosecutions refer to cases where the prosecuting authority (Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales, Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) have reviewed the case and have deemed the case suitable for prosecution.

** Please note that due to the length of time to bring a prosecution to conclusion, these conviction numbers will relate to cases commenced in previous years.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations of the report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hospice and End of Life Care entitled Inquiry into the financial impact of a terminal diagnosis, published on 9 September 2025.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department supports people nearing the end of life through the Special Rules for End of Life. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods, and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

The Universal Credit Act 2025, ensures that all Special Rules for End of Life claimants will receive the higher LCWRA rate, no matter when they make their claim.

The Department values the insights and perspectives provided by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hospice and End of Life Care and has noted the recommendations made in the report.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of investigations into benefit fraud result in (a) financial penalties and (b) court convictions.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP takes all allegations of fraud seriously, irrespective of reporting method, and will take appropriate action on those cases where there is concern about entitlement.

For regional fraud investigations, conviction data is not currently available for 24/25. There were however 639 prosecutions* (6% of investigations) and 272 Administrative Penalties (3% of investigations) issued.

For serious and economic crime investigations concluded in fiscal year 24/25, there were 26 such convictions** (7% of investigations) and 1 Administrative Penalty (0% of investigations).

Across all fraud investigations concluded in 24/25, 2191 cases had their benefit corrected and 8075 cases resulted in no change.

* Prosecutions refer to cases where the prosecuting authority (Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales, Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) have reviewed the case and have deemed the case suitable for prosecution.

** Please note that due to the length of time to bring a prosecution to conclusion, these conviction numbers will relate to cases commenced in previous years.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the effectiveness of the Special Rules for End of Life fast-tracking benefits system.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

The system is kept under review to ensure it is meeting its objectives.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the fast-tracked access to benefits via SREL is maintained, while actively exploring how we can continue to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of the current system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve the financial security of people at the end of life.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it.

The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who have 12 months or less to live to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and, in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve the financial security of people at the end of life.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it.

The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who have 12 months or less to live to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and, in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for the processing of Universal Credit advances in the most recent period for which data is available.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We do not collect data on advance payment processing times.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the State Pension by July 2029.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department’s latest forecasts estimate around £169 billion (in nominal terms) will be spent on the State Pension in 2029/30.

Forecasts are presented on a financial year basis, as the Department does not produce totals by a specific calendar month, such as July 2029.

Source: Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2025

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an estimate of the proportion of UK pension scheme assets invested in (a) thermal coal and (b) other fossil fuel production.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department has not produced specific estimates on the proportion of UK pension scheme assets invested in fossil fuel-related activities, such as coal-fired power generation or fossil fuel production.

As part of the 2024 Mansion House reform package, the Government consulted on UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with international sustainability standards, and our manifesto commitment to mandate climate transition plans. The Government are now analysing stakeholder feedback. Together, these initiatives will support the UK’s net-zero goals and broader green agenda and are expected to influence the investment landscape in which pension schemes operate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the contribution of UK pension funds to fossil fuel expansion in (a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) other international markets.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department has not produced specific estimates on the proportion of UK pension scheme assets invested in fossil fuel-related activities, such as coal-fired power generation or fossil fuel production.

As part of the 2024 Mansion House reform package, the Government consulted on UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with international sustainability standards, and our manifesto commitment to mandate climate transition plans. The Government are now analysing stakeholder feedback. Together, these initiatives will support the UK’s net-zero goals and broader green agenda and are expected to influence the investment landscape in which pension schemes operate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an estimate of the proportion of UK pension scheme assets invested in (a) thermal coal-fired and (b) other fossil fuel-fired power generation capacity.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department has not produced specific estimates on the proportion of UK pension scheme assets invested in fossil fuel-related activities, such as coal-fired power generation or fossil fuel production.

As part of the 2024 Mansion House reform package, the Government consulted on UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with international sustainability standards, and our manifesto commitment to mandate climate transition plans. The Government are now analysing stakeholder feedback. Together, these initiatives will support the UK’s net-zero goals and broader green agenda and are expected to influence the investment landscape in which pension schemes operate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the value of UK pension fund assets invested in fossil fuels that are at risk of becoming stranded.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department has not produced specific estimates on the proportion of UK pension scheme assets invested in fossil fuel-related activities, such as coal-fired power generation or fossil fuel production.

As part of the 2024 Mansion House reform package, the Government consulted on UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with international sustainability standards, and our manifesto commitment to mandate climate transition plans. The Government are now analysing stakeholder feedback. Together, these initiatives will support the UK’s net-zero goals and broader green agenda and are expected to influence the investment landscape in which pension schemes operate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to expand the scope of the terms of reference for the Pensions Commission to enable it to consider the potential merits of allowing people of working age with a terminal illness to access the State Pension.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Terms of Reference for the Pensions Commission, which set out the scope for the Commission, were published on the 21^st July. As set out in their Terms of Reference, the Commissioners will consider what is required in the long term to deliver financial security in retirement through a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable. The Commissioners will engage with a wide range of issues relevant to their terms of reference and will publish their findings in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will ask the Pensions Commission to consider expansion of access to the State Pension for people of working age with terminal illnesses.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Terms of Reference for the Pensions Commission, which set out the scope for the Commission, were published on the 21^st July. As set out in their Terms of Reference, the Commissioners will consider what is required in the long term to deliver financial security in retirement through a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable. The Commissioners will engage with a wide range of issues relevant to their terms of reference and will publish their findings in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for the processing of State Pension underpayment corrections in the most recent period for which data is available.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

We do not hold information regarding average waiting times to process State Pension underpayments corrections and to produce it would incur disproportionate costs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2025 to Question 73088 on Department for Work and Pensions: Telephone Services, what assessment she made of the potential impact of the DWP MP Hotline not answering casework calls.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are aware of previous technical issues on our UC regional MP hotlines. Since the introduction of a single UC national MP hotline this issue has now been resolved.

We have also seen a significant increase in correspondence coming into the Department over the last 6 months. To reduce timescales in responding to MP correspondence, we are in the process of putting additional resources into our complaints and correspondence teams.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2025 to Question 73088, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for replies to MP Correspondance.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are aware of previous technical issues on our UC regional MP hotlines. Since the introduction of a single UC national MP hotline this issue has now been resolved.

We have also seen a significant increase in correspondence coming into the Department over the last 6 months. To reduce timescales in responding to MP correspondence, we are in the process of putting additional resources into our complaints and correspondence teams.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of doubling the funding for Bereavement Support Payments.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Bereavement Support Payment helps ease the immediate financial pressures following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum and up to 18 monthly instalments. Longer-term support is available through income replacement benefits such as Universal Credit. The Government keeps all benefits under regular review.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question HL8737, what assessment her Department has made since 2022 of changes in online job advert volumes by Standard Occupational Classification groups ranked by AI exposure; and whether analysis using the ONS job advert data will be published disaggregated by exposure quintile.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

No such assessment has been made.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of paying the shortfall when employers are found to have unlawfully failed to contribute to their employee's pensions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must automatically enrol their eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and pay the correct pension contributions into that scheme.

The independent Pensions Regulator (TPR) has a statutory objective to maximise and enforce employer compliance with Automatic Enrolment obligations. In addition, pension scheme trustees and scheme managers also have a duty to monitor and report material payment failures to TPR. If an employer has failed to provide the correct pension contributions, they are required under Section 38 of the Pensions Act 2008 to address this and make good any shortfall

TPR data shows employer compliance is high, with 97% making timely and accurate contributions.

If an employee has concerns regarding their workplace pension, such as unpaid contributions, they should raise this with their employer in the first instance. An individual can report their employer to TPR if it is not complying with the law and/or make a complaint to The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) who can investigate the complaint and provide a remedy if the employer is found to be at fault. TPO, in collaboration with MoneyHelper and TPR, has published a factsheet for customers about this: Workplace pensions – unpaid pension contributions | The Pensions Ombudsman

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the cost of state pensions on other public spending priorities.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has published Spending Review 2025, which set departmental spending allocations consistent with the fiscal strategy set out at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spring Statement 2025. This will be updated at Autumn Budget 2025.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential financial impact of the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit interaction on young people in supported accommodation who move into work.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the Housing Benefit earnings disregard from £5 to £57 for young people living in supported accommodation on youth employment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing the Housing Benefit taper rate from 65 per cent to 55 per cent on young people living in supported accommodation.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on supporting young people in supported accommodation as part of preparations for the Autumn Budget.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

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 impact of the interaction between Housing Benefit and Universal Credit on the ability of young people living in supported accommodation to increase their working hours.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the number of children in households impacted by No Recourse to Public Funds living in poverty.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

No such estimate has been made.

In developing a Child Poverty Strategy, the Taskforce is considering all children across the United Kingdom.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of Child Maintenance Service cases lapse each year due to failure to trace the paying parent.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The statistical information specific to the scenario you have given is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost to the Department.

The Government is committed to ensuring parents meet their financial obligations to their children.

Where a paying parent fails to take responsibility for paying their child maintenance and cannot be traced, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will take immediate action and do everything within its powers to trace the paying parent.

The CMS have a range of enforcement powers that can be used against those parents who consistently refuse to meet or evade their obligations to provide financial support to their children. We are committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families to ensure compliance.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of withdrawing funding for level 7 apprenticeships on the number of people completing these apprenticeships.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

From January 2026 the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships except for young apprentices under the age of 22 and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. This will enable apprenticeships opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people and create more opportunities for those entering the labour market, who need skills and training to get on in their careers. All current level 7 apprentices and any who start before 1 January 2026 will be funded through to completion.

This decision was informed by a wide range of evidence, including Skills England’s analysis of official apprenticeship statistics and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Skills England’s evidence suggested there was unlikely to be a significant or unavoidable fall in the supply of these skills in the long term, post-defunding.

We are encouraging more employers to invest in upskilling their staff over 22 to level 7 where it delivers a benefit to the business and the individual. It will be for employers to determine the most appropriate training. There are alternative training options available to employers at level 7 including non-apprenticeship routes.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that vocational and adult education programmes are aligned with employment opportunities that are less vulnerable to (a) offshoring and (b) becoming replaced by AI.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills to break down barriers to opportunity and support the development of a skilled workforce in England.

This is backed by additional investment, as announced in the Spending Review, of £1.2 billion per year in skills by 2028-29. This will support the wide range of technical routes available across England in a broad range of sectors.

We are also widening the apprenticeships offer into a growth and skills offer, including new foundation apprenticeships, which will give more young people a foot in the door at the start of their working life.

We are targeting key growth sectors, including those identified in the Industrial Strategy, with specific skills plans to boost training in areas such as construction, manufacturing, defence and Digital and Technology.

All of this will be underpinned by the work of Skills England, which has been established as the national body responsible for identifying skills needs, simplifying the skills system, and aligning training to meet demand.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to develop workforce and education strategies in response to the growth of AI-native businesses with minimal staff.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government is taking steps to prepare the workforce for the future through its Industrial Strategy. We are ensuring that skills and employment support are aligned with key economic priorities, including transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

The Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy will set out plans to build a system that provides the skills that learners need to thrive in work and life and supports delivery of the Plan for Change.

Digital skills are embedded across occupational standards, influencing T-Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications, and apprenticeships. From April 2026, new short courses will be introduced in England in areas such as digital and AI, funded by the Growth and Skills Levy.

Skills England has released three data-driven reports to support decision-making and development of targeted training solutions. These will ensure that skills provision meets economic needs, including in sectors most affected by AI, and will shape sector-specific packages responding to future workforce demands.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Health and Safety Executive plans to update its Standard Occupational Classification asbestos mortality statistics to include (a) deaths over 75 and (b) non-occupational exposures.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety Executive does not currently plan to change the basis for its mesothelioma and asbestosis mortality statistics by last occupation of the deceased. These statistics use routinely collected data from the Office for National Statistics (for deaths in England and Wales) and National Records of Scotland (for deaths in Scotland) which currently only includes coded information on last occupation up to age 74 for deaths in England and Wales. The accuracy of occupational information is known to decline at older ages.

The purpose of these statistics is to examine the relative frequency of recording of different occupations across this standard age range as evidence about the occupations most likely to be substantial sources of past asbestos exposure. These kinds of analyses cannot directly address the question of non-occupational exposure or provide a definitive assessment of past sources of occupational risk. They do however, together with other research evidence, help to identify the kinds of work associated with the highest risks historically.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential fiscal impact of (a) increasing the Housing Benefit earnings disregard from £5 to £57 and (b) reducing the taper rate from 65 per cent to 55 per cent for young people living in supported accommodation.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the potential savings to the public purse of enabling young people in supported accommodation to increase their working hours without losing access to affordable housing.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for young people living in supported and temporary accommodation, including the different income tapers used by each benefit.

Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while considering the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions on DWP housing support will be taken in the round and measures which best meet Government goals, within the current fiscal environment, will be prioritised.

It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will hold discussions with Centrepoint on taking steps to help tackle youth homelessness.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Ending all forms of homelessness is a priority for this Government, and we are committed to tackling youth homelessness. My department plays a key role and works closely with homelessness stakeholders including Centrepoint, who provide invaluable support to young people.

I have met Centrepoint previously and would welcome the opportunity for further discussions.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many supported housing residents have (a) reduced their working hours and (b) left employment due to the interaction of Housing Benefit and Universal Credit rules in the last five years.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The information requested is not held.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent guidance his Department has issued to (a) Jobcentre Plus and the (b) National Careers Service on advising graduates entering occupations with high task exposure to AI.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

There are no departmental operational instructions or guidance which refer to graduates entering occupations with high task exposure to AI.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has issued to work coaches on (a) tailoring (i) work and (ii) work search requirements for a (A) single parent and (B) lead carer down from a maximum of 30 hours a week to reflect their circumstances and (b) temporarily removing the requirement to (1) work and (2) search for work because of (a) bereavement, (b) fleeing domestic abuse and (c) other circumstances; and if he will publish that guidance.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Work coaches have access to up-to-date guidance which includes information on tailoring work and work search categories for single parents and lead carers in a way that takes account of their circumstances. In certain circumstances the requirement to undertake work and work search activities can be eased, these include bereavement, fleeing domestic abuse and other circumstances as listed in the guidance below.

Universal Credit guidance is deposited in the House of Commons Library twice yearly. https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2287171/files

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hospice and End of Life Care entitled Inquiry into the financial impact of a terminal diagnosis, published on 9 September 2025.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department supports people nearing the end of life through the Special Rules for End of Life. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods, and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit. The recent UC bill ensures that all Special Rules for End of Life claimants will receive the higher LCWRA rate, no matter when they make their claim.

The Department values the insights and perspectives provided by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hospice and End of Life Care and has noted the many recommendations made in the report.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to disability payments on the number of claimants in poverty.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department published an updated assessment of the poverty impacts of the benefit changes announced at Spring Statement with revisions to reflect the proposed changes since tabled. This estimates that there will be 50,000 fewer individuals in relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/30 as a result of the changes. This includes a reduction in poverty for both children and working age individuals.

The assessment is available at Spring statement social security changes – updated impact on poverty levels in Great Britain, July 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 29583 on Apprentices: Artificial Intelligence, what funding her Department has provided to support adult AI literacy and reskilling programmes through (a) pilots via Skills England and (c) adult education providers in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We fund post-16 education, training and qualifications through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships. This can support people at all stages of their lives to train and reskill in a range of sectors – including in response to changes in technology such as AI.

Skills England will provide the single authoritative voice on the country’s current and future skills needs, and co-design new approaches with industry and regional partners

to improve the skills of our workforce, collaborating with a wide range of interested

parties across the skills system.

We are investing £187 million to bring digital and AI learning into classrooms and support over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators in areas like AI, cyber security and computer science. We will also train 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI skills by 2030 through our new industry partnership with major tech players. Skills England is working with DSIT to mobilise the government-industry partnership that will deliver on this commitment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 29583 on Apprentices: Artificial Intelligence, whether she will plans to evaluate the outcome of adult AI literacy and reskilling programmes by (a) occupation and (b) region.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We fund post-16 education, training and qualifications through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships. This can support people at all stages of their lives to train and reskill in a range of sectors – including in response to changes in technology such as AI.

Skills England will provide the single authoritative voice on the country’s current and future skills needs, and co-design new approaches with industry and regional partners

to improve the skills of our workforce, collaborating with a wide range of interested

parties across the skills system.

We are investing £187 million to bring digital and AI learning into classrooms and support over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators in areas like AI, cyber security and computer science. We will also train 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI skills by 2030 through our new industry partnership with major tech players. Skills England is working with DSIT to mobilise the government-industry partnership that will deliver on this commitment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data her Department plans to collect to assess the effectiveness of its targeted support to help SMEs offer apprenticeships.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are important to the economy and to apprenticeships. They provide valuable opportunities for younger apprentices and apprentices from disadvantaged areas.

The department collects and publishes data on apprenticeship starts in SMEs. Around 40% of apprenticeship starts are in SMEs and they account for more than 100,000 apprenticeship starts each year.

The government pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16-21, and for apprentices aged 22-24 who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan or have been, or are, in local authority care, when they undertake apprenticeships with non-levy paying employers.

For all other apprentices, employers that don’t pay the levy are required to co-invest 5% towards apprentice training costs.

The government also pays £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16-18, and for apprentices aged 19-24 who have an EHC plan or have been, or are, in local authority care.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support the growth of apprenticeships in Eastleigh constituency.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners across the country, including in Eastleigh, and support the Industrial Strategy.

In August, the department introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.

To support the growth of apprenticeships, the government provides £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19 to 24-year-old apprentices who have an education, health and care plan or have been, or are, in care. We will also pay employers up to £2,000 for eligible foundation apprenticeships to contribute to the extra costs of supporting someone at the beginning of their career. Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25, when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of the creation of a national advice workforce development fund.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Skills England will identify and address skills gaps across all sectors. It works with employers, training providers, and local authorities to ensure the skills system reflects real-world workforce needs, both nationally and locally.

Through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships, the department provides funding for education, training and qualifications across a range of sectors. This will support people on pathways that will be relevant to roles in the advice sector.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the document entitled Backing your business, published on 31 July 2025, what steps her Department plans to take to tackle sector-specific labour shortages identified by industry groups through its policies on future-proofing skills, outlined in Chapter 5 of that document.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Skills England aims to understand the nation’s future skills needs and drive growth by mobilising employers and partners to co-create solutions that address national and regional skills priorities. Skills England’s second report, ‘Skills for Growth and Opportunity’, outlines key sector-specific skills needs.

The department is aligning our skills system with priority sectors to tackle labour shortages. This includes funding uplifts for priority 16-19 courses, establishing new Technical Excellence Colleges and introducing short courses funded through the Growth and Skills Levy.

Recognising that not all parts of the skills system work as well for smaller businesses, we have introduced flexible apprenticeship models including flexi-job apprenticeship agencies to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in sectors with short-term, project-based work, such as construction.

Within the construction package announced this year, the Construction Industry Training Board is doubling its new entrant support team programme to help SMEs overcome administrative barriers and better recruit, engage and retain apprentices.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding was allocated to English for Speakers of Other Languages provision in 2024-25; what is the budget for 2025-26; and what proportion in each case was allocated as grants to local authorities.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Funding for adults to develop the English language skills they need is made available across government – from the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education.

The department supports adults aged 19+ in England who speak English as a second or additional language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), subject to eligibility requirements. ESOL funding is not ringfenced.

Currently 68% of the ASF is devolved to 12 Strategic Authorities and the Greater London Authority. These are responsible for deciding how to make best use of their ASF to meet their local needs, including ESOL.

The department continues to be responsible for the remaining ASF non-devolved areas although colleges, local authorities and other training providers in non-devolved areas have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF allocation to meet local skills needs, including ESOL provision.

The department supports 16 to 19-year-olds through funding that is allocated to schools and colleges and enables students to take part in either study programmes or T Levels, which includes funding specifically for English courses where appropriate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of users of the Your Apprenticeship app in each month since 12 February 2025.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Your Apprenticeship App has been developed with input from apprentices to ensure it meets their needs. The app allows apprentices to track their progress throughout their apprenticeship journey and to record evidence of their knowledge, skills and experience required to demonstrate occupational competency. As of 14 October, there have been almost 60,000 downloads and over 285,000 page views by users of the app.

The first phase of development is the minimum viable service, and this is being rolled out through a gradual onboarding of users as government continues to develop, test and enhance the functionality available.

In early testing the government identified a subset of users on the Android platform who could not access some features of the app. A solution was quickly implemented with users confirming it to be resolved.

Users are encouraged to contact the apprenticeship support team if they experience difficulties or have queries about the Your Apprenticeship app.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the technical capabilities of the Your Apprenticeship app.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Your Apprenticeship App has been developed with input from apprentices to ensure it meets their needs. The app allows apprentices to track their progress throughout their apprenticeship journey and to record evidence of their knowledge, skills and experience required to demonstrate occupational competency. As of 14 October, there have been almost 60,000 downloads and over 285,000 page views by users of the app.

The first phase of development is the minimum viable service, and this is being rolled out through a gradual onboarding of users as government continues to develop, test and enhance the functionality available.

In early testing the government identified a subset of users on the Android platform who could not access some features of the app. A solution was quickly implemented with users confirming it to be resolved.

Users are encouraged to contact the apprenticeship support team if they experience difficulties or have queries about the Your Apprenticeship app.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to review the adequacy of the level of take-up of the Your Apprenticeship app.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Your Apprenticeship App has been developed with input from apprentices to ensure it meets their needs. The app allows apprentices to track their progress throughout their apprenticeship journey and to record evidence of their knowledge, skills and experience required to demonstrate occupational competency. As of 14 October, there have been almost 60,000 downloads and over 285,000 page views by users of the app.

The first phase of development is the minimum viable service, and this is being rolled out through a gradual onboarding of users as government continues to develop, test and enhance the functionality available.

In early testing the government identified a subset of users on the Android platform who could not access some features of the app. A solution was quickly implemented with users confirming it to be resolved.

Users are encouraged to contact the apprenticeship support team if they experience difficulties or have queries about the Your Apprenticeship app.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps is he taking to ensure that reported faults in the Your Apprenticeship app are repaired.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Your Apprenticeship App has been developed with input from apprentices to ensure it meets their needs. The app allows apprentices to track their progress throughout their apprenticeship journey and to record evidence of their knowledge, skills and experience required to demonstrate occupational competency. As of 14 October, there have been almost 60,000 downloads and over 285,000 page views by users of the app.

The first phase of development is the minimum viable service, and this is being rolled out through a gradual onboarding of users as government continues to develop, test and enhance the functionality available.

In early testing the government identified a subset of users on the Android platform who could not access some features of the app. A solution was quickly implemented with users confirming it to be resolved.

Users are encouraged to contact the apprenticeship support team if they experience difficulties or have queries about the Your Apprenticeship app.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on incentivising the Motability scheme to buy British manufactured cars.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is independent of government. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. The Motability Foundation is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme.

The department does however work closely with Motability and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to incentivise the Motability scheme to source British manufactured cars.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is independent of government. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. The Motability Foundation is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme.

The department does however work closely with Motability and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to disability payments on the proportion of Universal Credit claimants who will enter employment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The DWP is working with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to assess the employment impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The OBR will publish their estimate of the impacts alongside the Autumn Budget.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times has a PIP claimant's payment been (a) missed and (b) delayed following the registration of an appointee on their account in the last 12 months.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We do not hold any data about the impacts of registration of an appointee on a person’s PIP payments.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the progress of reform of the private pension system.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

We are committed to making reforms to the workplace pensions system to deliver better outcomes for UK savers and pensioners and to increase productive investment in the UK economy.

We have already completed our landmark Pensions Investment Review, which reported in May 2025. The Pension Schemes Bill, which was introduced in June, will legislate for the outcomes of the Review, in addition to other reforms to the pensions system. Our Bill Impact Assessment shows around 20 million savers could benefit and an average earner saving over their career could have around £29,000 more in their defined contribution pension pot at retirement as a result of the package of measures.

Additionally, the Bill will unlock some of the estimated £160 billion of surplus funds from well-funded Defined Benefit pension schemes to benefit sponsoring employers and members, with appropriate safeguards in place to protect members.

In July we launched the next phase of our reform agenda. The time is now right to finish the job started by the Turner Commission two decades ago and that is why we have revived the Commission, which is led by Baroness Jeannie Drake, Sir Ian Cheshire and Professor Nick Pearce. The Pensions Commission will make recommendations to ensure we have a pensions system that is strong, fair and sustainable.

Our reforms will also boost investment and growth in the UK. The Mansion House Accord will see leading workplace pension providers invest 10% of their workplace portfolio in productive assets such as infrastructure, property, and private equity. At least half of this will be in the UK.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will expand the remit of the Pensions Regulator to include employees whose employers have not made statutory contributions to pensions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must automatically enrol eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and pay the correct contributions. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is responsible for maximising employer compliance with the automatic enrolment obligations. Where an employer fails to meet their duties, for example if the employer has not made statutory pension contributions, TPR can investigate, issue compliance and penalty notices, and, in serious cases, pursue criminal prosecution.

If an employee has concerns regarding their workplace pension, such as unpaid contributions, they should raise this with their employer in the first instance. An individual can report their employer to TPR if it is not complying with the law and/or make a complaint to The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) who can investigate the complaint and provide a remedy if the employer is found to be at fault. TPO, in collaboration with MoneyHelper and TPR, has published a factsheet for customers about this: Workplace pensions – unpaid pension contributions | The Pensions Ombudsman

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to issue guidance to employers on allowing apprentices aged under 18 to access industrial and commercial worksites.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to make an assessment of the (a) adequacy and (b) potential impact of the regulatory framework for health and safety on the ability of firms to offer entry-level apprenticeships to young people.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that health and safety requirements for young apprentices (a) are proportionate and (b) do not deter employers from offering placements.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance the Health and Safety Executive has provided to employers on managing risk for apprentices aged 16 to 18; and whether the Health and Safety Executive plans to review this guidance.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is taking steps to (a) simplify and (b) clarify health and safety guidance for firms wishing to employ apprentices under the age of 18.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

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 impact of health and safety regulations on the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to take on apprentices aged between 16 and 18.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has received representations from (a) employers and (b) industry bodies on barriers to hiring young apprentices due to health and safety regulations.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices.

Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following changes in the machinery of government and responsibility for skills being placed with the Department of Work and Pensions, which department will now be responsible for the administration of, and policy development for, Skills England.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

• As announced by the Prime Minister on 16 September, responsibility for apprenticeships, adult further education, skills, training and careers, as well as Skills England, has now transferred from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions.
• Responsibility for higher education, along with further education, skills, training and careers for individuals aged 19 and under, will remain with the Department for Education.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made on establishing an asbestos census.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Asbestos in non-domestic buildings is a key ministerial priority. As part of its work, I have asked HSE to explore how it can develop our understanding of the legacy of asbestos in Great Britian, by building a more objective and reliable evidence base of the extent of asbestos in the built environment through a census, to inform longer-term strategy for continuing its safe removal over time.

HSE is taking a phased approach to the development of this work, focussing initially on the government estate.

HSE provides regular updates and assurance to ministers about its approach to asbestos management.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve the availability of (a) free and (b) independent benefits-related advice services in Nottingham.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions signposts customers to the following services in Nottingham, with which it has an active relationship.

• Meadows Advice Centre
• St. Annes Advice - Disability Employment Advisers have a strong relationship with this organisation to support customers with Mental Health conditions.
• Clifton Advice Centre
• Bestwood Advice Centre
• West Bridgford Advice Centre
• Nottinghamshire Deaf Society
• Disability Support - benefit support for those with disabilities
• Nottingham City Council has a benefits team, and specifically one for carers

St Anne’s Advice, Disability Support and Citizens Advice Centre all recently attended a DWP Health and Wellbeing event, to support customers with health conditions, and regularly attend our Disability Employment Adviser Cafes which provide an informal environment in Nottingham where the DWP works in collaboration with partners to support customers.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training his Department provides to (a) Universal Credit agents and (b) Work Coaches on communicating with claimants who have learning disabilities or mental health conditions when responding to messages via (i) online journals and (ii) telephone.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Universal Credit agents and Work Coaches receive a range of training to equip them to support customers with health conditions, learning disabilities, and additional or complex needs throughout their role.

Key training includes:

• Mandatory mental health learning – 2-day course for all customer contact roles, including a focus on communication methods.
• Induction/onboarding training – New starters at DWP receive training to support customers with additional needs and mental health conditions as part of their technical learning journey.
• Refresher learning - (optional, on-demand) point of need learning to support customers with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Training is available at points of need to support continuous development throughout their role.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many hours of (a) initial and (b) refresher training Universal Credit agents receive on supporting claimants with learning disabilities or mental health conditions; and at what intervals refresher training is mandated.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Universal Credit agents and Work Coaches receive a range of training to equip them to support customers with health conditions, learning disabilities, and additional or complex needs throughout their role.

Key training includes:

• Mandatory mental health learning – 2-day course for all customer contact roles, including a focus on communication methods.
• Induction/onboarding training – New starters at DWP receive training to support customers with additional needs and mental health conditions as part of their technical learning journey.
• Refresher learning - (optional, on-demand) point of need learning to support customers with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Training is available at points of need to support continuous development throughout their role.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes to ensure that information in official leaflets on (a) access to and (b) guidance on benefit entitlements is accurate.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

To ensure information is accurate, all new and amended leaflets are subject to a quality assurance process where content is checked and approved by subject matter experts before publication.

In addition, the department undertakes an annual uprating review of all leaflets that are impacted by rate changes.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the accessibility of graduate employment opportunities in each (a) region and b) subject.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Education publishes employment and earnings outcomes of graduates and postgraduates each year, based on data collected by the Higher Education Statistics Authority, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the Department of Work and Pensions. The publication includes breakdowns by region, with data on graduate movement between regions before, during, and after study, as well as by subject studied, including detailed information on the industries graduates enter. The publication can be found here: LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes, Tax year 2022-23 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK. This data has been available since 26^th June 2025.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the 50 PLUS: Choices scheme.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since the launch of the Midlife MOT, we have reached older people through multiple channels to help them assess their health, finances and skills.

The Private Sector Midlife MOT pilot programmes concluded at the end of June 2024 and the evaluation can be found here: Private Sector Midlife MOT Pilots qualitative research interim findings - GOV.UK. The evaluation report on the JCP Midlife MOT was published in September 2025: Jobcentre Plus Midlife MOT qualitative research - GOV.UK. We have other evaluation work in progress covering a range of 50 plus policies, with a synthesis of evaluation findings which we are currently planning to publish next year.

Our new Jobs and Careers service will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings. The Jobs and Careers Service will incorporate principles of accessibility and inclusivity, acknowledging diverse support needs, including those of older individuals.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the number of pensioners who are affected by the absence of statutory indexation on pre-1997 contributions in Broxtowe constituency; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential financial impact of this on pensioners in Broxtowe.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Pensions Regulator has published data which shows that as of March 2023, only 17 per cent of members of private sector defined benefit pension schemes do not receive any pre-1997 indexation. This is available at: https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests#f3a5fe60511a445f91112bd7dd8a64ae

The Department and the Pensions Regulator do not hold this information at a constituency level.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many existing claimants are awaiting a Work Capability Assessment; what the average wait time is; and when he expects the backlog to be cleared.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

During the second half of 2024, DWP experienced a much higher level of demand for new Work Capability Assessments (WCA) than envisaged. As a result, 35,000 reassessments built up from individuals reporting a change in their condition before May 2025. We have worked with suppliers to rapidly increase capacity to clear this, including by accelerating the recruitment of assessors. 6,000 of these referrals have already been progressed, and we expect the vast majority of the remainder to be cleared over the next six months.

In the meantime, claimants awaiting a reassessment will continue to be paid their current rate and when an individual is reassessed, if the outcome of the assessment means they are entitled to a higher rate of benefit, that rate will be backdated accordingly.

Please note:

• All of the above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the Assessment Suppliers
• The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of maintaining two different types of state pension on the economy.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

No recent assessment has been made. State Pensions are paid in accordance with the rules in place at the point the person reaches State Pension age.

This Government is committed to supporting both current pensioners and future retirees and ensuring a decent standard of living for all. That is why the Government have recently launched the Pensions Commission to ensure our pensions system delivers this in the decades ahead. The Pensions Commission will consider what is required in the long term to deliver a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claims were (a) withdrawn before submitting a PIP2 form, (b) disallowed due to failure to return the PIP2 form, (c) withdrawn after submitting a PIP2 form but before assessment, (d) disallowed due to failure to attend an assessment and (e) (i) closed and (ii) withdrawn for other reasons prior to a decision in each of the last five financial years by intended mode of assessment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Information on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) outcomes for the last five financial years is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Volume of PIP claims by assessment outcomes for the last five financial years.

Notes:

• Figures are for England and Wales only.
• Figures only include claims made under normal rules.
• Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
• AP is the assessment provider.
• These are the categories available in the PIP administrative data.

The Department does not hold data on intended modes of assessments.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of adjusting in line with inflation the £30,000 threshold over which advice must be sought before a pension is transferred.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that pension savers receive clear and essential information, and that pension transfers are conducted on an informed basis.

To support this principle, individuals with pensions that include a guarantee remain required to take independent financial advice before converting their pension pot, where the value exceeds £30,000. This requirement is intended to ensure savers are made aware of valuable guarantees that could provide a secure income in retirement, before they choose to relinquish those guarantees through a transfer.

The £30,000 threshold aligns to the trivial commutation rules and raising this figure could increase the risk of transfers being made without sufficient understanding.

A review of the regulations conducted in 2023 identified potential concerns regarding the cost and availability of independent financial advice and the Government is keen to explore the extent of these issues. As such, the Department for Work and Pensions is working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority, the pensions industry, and His Majesty’s Treasury . We intend to consult on the outcome of this work in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has considered introducing voluntary pension-sharing orders in cases of life-changing events.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

We have no plans to introduce further pension sharing provisions.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has issued guidance to Capita on routinely recording interviews for all Personal Independence Payment assessments; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of requiring Capita to routinely record such interviews on (a) claimant experience and (b) access to information relevant to an appeal.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Currently, claimants can opt-in to having their Personal Independence Payment assessment recorded. Audio recording is available for face-to-face and telephone assessments with all the Department’s assessment providers. These arrangements are publicised on providers’ websites and in assessment invitation letters.

We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper our intention to change this approach to one where we record all health assessments as standard, with a process for claimants to opt-out of a recording should they choose. By doing so, we hope to improve people’s trust in the health assessment process, and we are currently developing our plans to implement this measure. We have not yet issued guidance to Capita or any health assessment provider about recording assessments as standard.

The Department is committed to monitoring the impacts of its policies. This includes monitoring the impact of audio recording health assessments as standard for disability benefits.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the two-child benefit cap on incentivising employment among affected families.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

The Child Poverty Taskforce will publish a Child Poverty Strategy in the autumn that will deliver measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty.

The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure that the Timms Review includes workstreams on the potential impact of (a) illness fluctuations, (b) invisible symptoms and (c) mobility on the PIP assessment process.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Timms Review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and other experts to ensure that expertise from a wide range of perspectives is drawn upon. This means the Government will share ownership and responsibility for how the Review runs and what it recommends.

We are currently working through how to best co-produce the Review, taking into account the feedback from extensive stakeholder engagement over the summer. I anticipate it will be led by a core leadership group of around a dozen people, the majority of whom will be disabled people.

Through co-production, it will be for this core leadership group – building from the Terms of Reference – to set the Review’s strategic direction, priorities and workplan. The Review will invite input from a wide range of perspectives. I will share more details about our approach to the Review, and recruitment of its leadership group, shortly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to include people with lived experience of (a) fluctuating conditions, (b) invisible symptoms and (c) challenges with mobility in the membership of the core group overseeing the Timms Review.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Timms Review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and other experts to ensure that expertise from a wide range of perspectives is drawn upon. This means the Government will share ownership and responsibility for how the Review runs and what it recommends.

We are currently working through how to best co-produce the Review, taking into account the feedback from extensive stakeholder engagement over the summer. I anticipate it will be led by a core leadership group of around a dozen people, the majority of whom will be disabled people.

Through co-production, it will be for this core leadership group – building from the Terms of Reference – to set the Review’s strategic direction, priorities and workplan. The Review will invite input from a wide range of perspectives. I will share more details about our approach to the Review, and recruitment of its leadership group, shortly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to ensure parity in the pension contributions made by employers.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Pensions Act 2008 sets out the legal minimum requirements for workplace pension contributions under automatic enrolment (AE). The total minimum level of contributions required is 8% of an eligible employee’s qualifying earnings, of which at least 3% must come from the employer.

Although the Pensions Act 2008 sets these statutory minimums, some employers may choose to pay contributions at a higher rate.

The Government have recently revived the Pensions Commission which will consider the broader questions of adequacy, fairness, and sustainability to guide the long-term future of our pensions system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the forthcoming changes to Universal Credit Health element for new applicants from 2026 on costs to local government.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department set out its plans to monitor and evaluate the changes in the published Impact Assessment.

Around 4 million households will benefit overall from Government’s decision to increase the Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance – estimated to be worth £725 annually by 2029/30 in cash terms based on Spring Statement 2025 economic assumptions - £250 annually above inflation for a single household aged 25 or over.

For existing UC Health Element recipients and customers with severe, lifelong conditions the combined rate of the UC standard allowance and the UC Health Element will rise at least in line with inflation every year for the next four years.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Universal Credit taper in incentivising part-time work.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The taper rate aims to make customers financially better off in work by ensuring that their Universal Credit award is reduced by less than their earned income.

Universal Credit has a single taper rate of 55% and some customers will also benefit from a work allowance which is the amount someone can earn before their Universal Credit award starts to reduce.

Once a customer is earning more than their work allowance (if applicable), their Universal Credit starts to be reduced at a consistent rate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to make further savings after the implementation of the Universal Credit Act in April 2026.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to a social security system which raises employment and living standards by supporting and incentivising people into work and to work more, supports those who can never work to live with dignity, reduces poverty, promotes fairness and controls overall spending to ensure the long-term sustainability of the system for future generations.

Extend unfair dismissal protections to all employees regardless of length of service and require dismissal appeals to be reviewed by an independent and impartial person. Ensure fair treatment and access to justice for employees facing bullying or harassment early in their employment.

Found: DHSC Department for Health and Social Care DSIT Department for Science, Innovation and Technology DWP

Found: Organisations with access currently include the DWP, HMRC, DVLA, Social Security Scotland, NHS England

Found: opportunity to add other Smart Data use cases, be they Home Office related immigration or Asylum status, DWP

Found: At present, many departments — including the Home Office, DWP, HMCTS, DVLA, and local authorities —

Found: Britain,’ June 2025, p9. 6 Open letter from Labour 40 Mps, 3 April 2025, argues that the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: accounts  The Home Office and DVLA with respect to driving licences  The Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions

Found: Government agencies such as HMRC, DWP, the Home Office, and NHS retain ownership of their records, while

Found: For eVisa holders that are permitted access to public funds (such as DWP benefits), including refugee

Found: Every department from DVLA, through DWP and HMRC, to Passport Office has gone further than that though

Found: often ask people to present variations on the same set of information to different departments (HMRC, DWP

Found: current frog-on-a-turntable phase where the app calls for identification but then doesn’t use it, and DWP

Found: possibly a TPM 2.0 chip), and you’re using a compatible browser (some government departments like the DWP

Found: Implementing digital IDs involves Home Office, DSIT, police forces, Border Force, DWP, etc.

Found: Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on 1 July 2025, we recommend that the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: Storage HC 351 7th Asylum accommodation: Home Office acquisition of former HMP Northeye HC 361 6th DWP

Found: ’ personal information • NHS data losses compromising patient confidentiality and medical records • DWP

Found: HMRC, DWP, UKVI, DVLA, and NHS all hold relevant data, but interagency communication is limited, leading

Found: DWP, HMRC) to guard against:  Duplicate claims for benefits  Claim under false identities or multiple

Found: However, we are concerned that Home Office, HMRC, DWP etcetera may not currently have access to the

Found: out of a one-stop-shop to access everything I need: my banking, my health and care systems, HMRC, DWP

Found: “Then don’t use those devices”, I hear you suggest, but how do I inform HMRC of anything, or the DWP

Found: The DWP in using AI is already in breach of DPA 2018 and GDPR regulations whereby storage of out of

Found: digital ID scheme would enable the government to bring together disparate data held by NHS, DVLA, DWP

Found: Its "usefulness" lies in its ability to link disparate government databases (HMRC, DWP, NHS, DVLA, etc

Found: If GDS have their way, HMRC and DWP will be out of action for the same reasons.

Found: Frameworks: Create API standards enabling secure data sharing with law enforcement and departments like DWP

Found: Please see:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/11/disability-benefit-remote-checks-fraud- dwp-work-from-home

Found: Watson clarifies that while a TUPE measures document existed during the transfer of staff from the DWP

Found: For example, the Synergy cluster of Shared Services has a programme SRO based in the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: engaging with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and its sponsor department, the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: It is a combination of the National Crime Agency, policing, immigration enforcement, HMRC and DWP—the

Found: “opt-out” rather than “opt-in” system (this will involve resolving data sharing issues between the DWP

Found: including DfE and DWP.

Found: Three-Biggest-Killers-Regional-Toolkit.pdf 30 Rationale and impact | Overweight and obesity management | Guidance | NICE 31 DWP

Found: “opt-out” rather than “opt-in” system (this will involve resolving data sharing issues between the DWP

Found: Correspondence with the Department for Work and Pensions relating to reciprocal disregards for compensation

Found: of AI and machine learning to identify potential fraud.38 The previous Committee recommended that DWP

Found: retraining) through Get Britain Working, both of which are the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be merging the jobs and careers service19, will the

Found: a cross-departmental minister, straddling both the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: for Business and Trade (DBT), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Work and Pensions

Found: direction, and Skills England is the convening authority, the Department for Education, The Department for Work and Pensions

Found: urgent need for a strategic and appropriately funded response from government – including DfE and DWP

Found: product-scheme-for-schools-and-colleges-in-england> [accessed 29 September 2025]. vii Department for Work and Pensions

Found: The Department for Work and Pensions, the IFS and others have looked at the extent to which that increases

Found: This should include greater awareness and training for Department for Work and Pensions staff on specific

Found: .  Department for Work and Pensions Accounts 2024-25 (July 2025) – the C&AG modified his audit

Found: DWP alone—these are their figures, not mine—save £150 million a year by doing that.

Found: impact will the transfer of apprenticeships and adult education and training to the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: DWP alone—these are their figures, not mine—save £150 million a year by doing that.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Labour Market Evidence Group plans to visit Northern Ireland to consult local businesses.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) is supporting the UK Government’s aim to rebalance UK labour market away from an over-reliance on international recruitment and towards domestic workers and ensuring that growth-driving sectors have access to the skilled workers they need now and into the future. LMEG has been established and is meeting regularly at working level with the first formal meeting of LMEG taking place on 29th July 2025. That meeting contained representatives from:

• the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council
• the Department for Work and Pensions
• Skills England and equivalent organisations in the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• the Migration Advisory Committee

At the first meeting LMEG members agreed a workplan in collaboration with Devolved Governments including Northern Ireland Executive. This workplan will support LMEG’s ambition, as set out in the Immigration White Paper, of working together to gather and share evidence about the state of the workforce, training levels and participation in the domestic labour market, including at Devolved Government and regional levels.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to publish an analysis of (a) Higher Education Statistics Agency and (b) Office for National Statistics data on graduate employment to inform higher education (i) curriculum and (ii) skills policy.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department publishes employment and earnings outcomes of graduates and postgraduates each year, based on data collected by the Higher Education Statistics Authority, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the Department for Work and Pensions. The publication includes breakdowns by subject studied, as well as graduate characteristics, and detailed information about which industries graduates worked in after studying a particular subject and their movements between industries after graduation. The publication can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/leo-graduate-and-postgraduate-outcomes/2022-23#dataBlock-d7be0f33-0ec5-4b78-98ed-ba6f25dfb414-charts. This data has been available since 26 June 2025.

The department also publishes graduate labour market statistics. This publication uses data from the Office for National Statistics’ Labour Force Survey to compare employment and earnings outcomes between graduates, postgraduates and non-graduates. The publication can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/graduate-labour-markets/2024. This data has been available since 5 June 2025.

The department uses these publications as part of the evidence base to inform higher education and skills policy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the number of civil servants working from home for three days a week or more is increasing or decreasing.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Data on Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy is collected and published quarterly on GOV.UK for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office.

Data for the latest period for which data is available is copied below. No other information on occupancy data or workforce attendance is gathered centrally.

Departments manage their own arrangements for monitoring workforce attendance. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

Found: (DWP).

Found: and supporting growth.16 Continued Risk, resilience and stability Department for Work & Pensions (DWP

Found: As announced in the Get Britain Working White Paper, the Department for Work and Pensions is radically

Found: Funding determined by DWP on receipt of the contractual performance profiles and unit prices

Found: (e) To evidence a pension: (i) Official documentation from: (1) The Department for Work and Pensions

Found: will deliver a multi-stream evaluation of two agent-facing AI tools deployed by the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: 2024-25 2023-24 £m £m Department of Health and Social Care 175,940 162,150 Department for Work and Pensions

Found: govuk-table__cell">Global & Public Health

Found: legal and regulatory developments in this area, including proceedings involving the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: will deliver a multi-stream evaluation of two agent-facing AI tools deployed by the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: Temporary Shortage List, why migration should be the response to any shortage, how you will work with DWP

Found: It must include a skills strategy, a plan to work with the Department for Work and Pensions on a domestic

Found: Client cases that relate to other benefits will be referred to the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: Client cases that relate to other benefits will be referred to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Found: (DWP).

Found: (DWP).

Found: (DWP).

Found: and care plans, access to work grants, voluntary sector grants and funding from the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: I couldn’t see any evidence (but it may have been elsewhere) about the impact of dealing with the DWP

Found: care plans, access to work grants, voluntary sector 42 grants and funding from the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: Building Capacity to Work (DWP, 2004) Health, Work and Well Being (DWP, 2005) Working for a Healthier

Found: Most of his experience has been with DWP and its predecessors and he also had a spell as Finance Director

Found: Statistics 12 Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics 13 In May 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: to handle differential benefit rates so if the Scottish Government makes any decisions in line with DWP

Found: [Redacted under Section 30(b)(i)] The free and frank provision of advice SG benefit Delivery DWP

Found: In May 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions rolled out an increase in the administrative earnings

Found: (DWP), the Scottish Government or any other stakeholder.

Found: As our priority remains the safe and secure transfer of people's awards from the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: at ministerial and official level: DCLG , Mo , HO, DfE, BIS, DfT, DEFRA, DCMS, DECC, CO, HMT, MoD, DWP

Found: The Bill is sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Cabinet Office. 8.

Found: We’ve engaged directly with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, DWP, the Ministry