Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the MP hotline can be used by hon. Members for raising non-emergency queries about claimants who have been sent housing payment demands as a result of being migrated from ESA to Universal Credit.

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

We recognise that for some customers, the transition to Universal Credit can feel complex at the outset. To support individuals during this period, dedicated help is available through our Universal Credit helpline, where colleagues can provide guidance and reassurance tailored to their circumstances.

The Department’s MP Hotlines are specifically intended for urgent, non‑complex enquiries where a claimant may be at risk of harm to their wellbeing, facing an imminent loss of income, or experiencing another situation requiring immediate intervention. As such, they are not designed for routine or non‑urgent matters, including standard enquiries relating to managed migration from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit or issues relating to the issuing of housing payment notifications.

Hon. Members wishing to raise non‑emergency enquiries of this type are encouraged to use the Department’s established written correspondence routes. This ensures that all enquiries are properly logged, triaged, and responded to in a way that allows us to provide thorough and appropriate support to constituents.

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 a prominent message prior to starting the benefits claim process online, in print, and by phone to make it clear that free, independent support is available through organisations such Citizens Advice and for claimants to avoid companies who charge for the same support.

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

Free help and support in applying for Universal Credit is available from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Free help and support for claiming other DWP benefits is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from the Department itself, and from organisations such as Age UK. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Timms Review plans to engage with disabled people reliant on both personal independence payment and means-tested benefits.

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

The Timms Review is committed to a wide programme of participation and engagement, drawing on a broad range of evidence and voices. The Terms of Reference state the Review must be “co-produced with disabled people, along with the organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard”.

The Review’s steering group will set out shortly its initial plans for engagement.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Work Capability Assessments assessors are required to process per day.

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

The Department for Work and Pensions has not set a specified number of Work Capability Assessments that health professionals (HP) are expected to complete per day. The number of assessments completed can vary depending on the type of assessment (telephone, video, or face‑to‑face), the claimant’s condition, and any additional evidence required, as these appointments have fixed time slots and are delivered through different channels.

While we do have expectations for the total number of assessments conducted by Functional Assessment Service (FAS) suppliers, these would be aggregate monthly numbers across their entire workforce, not individual targets for specific HPs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 111895, what plans his Department has to engage with the private sector on delivery options for the digital element of the new Jobs and Careers Service.

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

The Department is preparing to undertake a market engagement exercise to understand the range of products and services that could support and enhance the Jobs and Career Service. These opportunities will be published on Find a Tender in due course.

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 increases in the State Pension age on people with long-term health conditions in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The increase of State Pension age from 66 to 67 is occurring between April 2026 and March 2028. There will be people with long-term health conditions approaching State Pension age amongst those experiencing this change. People with long-term health conditions will continue to be supported by the benefit system up to and beyond reaching State Pension age.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support people with health conditions into work.

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

This Government is committed to championing the rights of, and helping, disabled people and people with health conditions. More people with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work through our Pathways to Work offer which includes the Connect to Work Supported Employment programme, and through the expansion across England of our groundbreaking programme WorkWell.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 111898, what the evaluated costs are for delivering and operating the digital elements of the Jobs and Careers Service in-house compared with using private-sector technology.

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

I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 10th December to PQ 96593.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect to trends in unemployment since July 2024.

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

Since November 2024, employment is up by over 454,000, youth employment by 126,000, and the ethnic minority employment rate has risen to 69.9%. The UK’s employment rate has remained stable at 75% over the past year and we’ve seen other positive labour market trends. While unemployment has risen slightly to 5.2%, this is still below the average unemployment rate seen under the last government. Crucially, part of the rise in unemployment is driven by the fall in inactivity as more people are actively seeking work.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions in the last five years Work Capability Assessors have exceeded minimum daily assessment requirements.

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

The Department for Work and Pensions has not set a specified number of Work Capability Assessments that health professionals (HP) are expected to complete per day. The number of assessments completed can vary depending on the type of assessment (telephone, video, or face‑to‑face), the claimant’s condition, and any additional evidence required, as these appointments have fixed time slots and are delivered through different channels.

While we do have expectations for the total number of assessments conducted by Functional Assessment Service (FAS) suppliers, these would be aggregate monthly numbers across their entire workforce, not individual targets for specific HPs.

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 adequacy of the Personal Independence Payment application process.

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

We understand that the current application process can feel outdated and challenging for some. The Health Transformation Programme is transforming the entire PIP service to improve the customer experience and efficiency of the service, build trust in our decisions and support people to enter or remain in work.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people used the Tell Us Once Service in 2025 in (a) North East Somerset and Hanham constituency, (b) the West of England and (c) England.

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

The following data has been taken from the Tell Us Once (TUO) Change Reporting System:

a) The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

b) 169,063 citizens used the service in the West of England. We have utilised Office for National Statistics (ONS) coverage to ascertain which areas are regarded as the West of England (See Appendix A). The calculations include all councils, which ONS states are within North West England, Southwest England and the West Midlands.

)

c) 445,884 citizens used the service in England. Due to the TUO weekly reporting period, there is a variance of several days in yearly total. The calculation is from 30/12/2024 – 28/12/2025.

Appendix A - (Local Authority District (April 2023) to LAU1 to ITL3 to ITL2 to ITL1 (January 2021) Lookup in the UK - data.gov.uk

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 role of the Motability Scheme in supporting service personnel and disabled veterans and to access transport solutions.

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

The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for all or part of their eligible disability benefit allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme. The department facilitates a direct transfer to Motability of a claimant’s mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. Service personnel and disabled veterans who receive Armed Forces Independence Payment or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement can also elect to join the Scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that recent changes to the Motability Scheme, including the removal of VAT zero-rating on advance payments and the introduction of Insurance Premium Tax on certain vehicles, do not disproportionately impact disabled individuals in rural areas who require higher-specification vehicles capable of handling adverse road conditions.

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

The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance.

The Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles, to meet a range of accessibility needs. The changes announced at the budget will not apply to current leases or wheelchair adapted vehicles, and the Scheme will continue to offer vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.  The Scheme will continue to offer a full ‘peace of mind package’ – including insurance and UK breakdown cover – and provide means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment.

Proposed changes to the leasing package will undergo disability impact assessment by the Motability Foundation, which oversees the Scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households who are no longer subject to the two-child benefit cap will still be subject to the overall benefit cap.

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

The requested information is published as part of the Universal Credit (removal of the two child limit) Bill. It is available in Table 7 of the Regulatory impact assessment template (2023 reforms)

Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service.

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

Child Maintenance payments keep around 120,000 children out of poverty each year.

The Government intends to replace Direct Pay with a more effective Collect and Pay model, as soon as parliamentary time allows, tackling non‑compliance and ensuring maintenance reaches children. Fees for compliant parents will be reduced, while stronger enforcement will target non‑payers. The Government is also reviewing the outdated calculation formula to ensure fairness and better outcomes for children.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average processing time is for (a) reimbursement claims and (b) redundancy-related payments under the Access to Work scheme.

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

The Department does not collect data on the average processing time for (a) reimbursement (payment) claims.

Please find the Official statistics on payments which are published annually and can be accessed here: Access to Work statistics - GOV.UK

(b) Redundancy‑related payments are not administered by the Access to Work 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 reform the Child Maintenance Service system.

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

The Government has announced reforms to strengthen the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), including its intention to remove Direct Pay and move to a single, enhanced Collect and Pay system. This will enable the CMS to monitor all payments, identify noncompliance more quickly, and take faster enforcement action. It is estimated that these changes could lift around 20,000 fewer children in poverty (on the relative low income after housing costs measure). These reforms will be implemented when Parliamentary time allows.

To improve arrears collection, the Government will also introduce administrative liability orders to replace the current court-based process, streamlining enforcement and reducing delays. Work with HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Government is underway, with regulations to be brought forward as soon as possible.

In addition, the Government is reviewing the child maintenance calculation to ensure it remains fit for purpose. This includes updating the underlying research and considering how to ensure the calculation reflects current and future societal trends. Options for proposed reforms are currently being considered. Any changes made to the child maintenance calculation will be subject to extensive public consultation, and if made, will require amendments to legislation so would be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

What recent progress the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment has made.

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

Following expressions of interest, the steering group was recruited to oversee co-production of the Timms Review.

The group have met and discussed principles of working and areas of focus and will meet regularly to determine the Review’s strategic direction and recommendations. The group will shape a wider and fully accessible programme of participation bringing together a full range of views. It is committed to regular updates on progress.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether interim financial support is available to claimants while an Access to Work decision is under appeal.

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

The Access to Work Scheme provides grant funding and is not a benefit, so interim financial support is not available through the scheme while an appeal is progressing. We always encourage customers to speak to their employer about workplace adjustments in the first instance.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of staff in his Department are reliant on a visa for employment.

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

The information requested is not held centrally. Gathering this data would therefore incur disproportionate costs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to WPQ 112574 dated 11 February 2026 on the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers scheme, when does he expect to be able to reply.

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

Parliamentary Question 112574 was answered on 3 March. I apologise for the delay in responding.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 111895, what delivery options his Department is considering for the digital elements of the Jobs and Careers Service.

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

The Department is considering a wide range of delivery options for the Jobs and Careers Service.

Currently several elements of the Jobs and Careers new digital service have already been assessed and the decision taken to build some of these elements in house. For other digital elements, the Department is preparing to undertake a market engagement exercise to understand the range of digital products and services that could support and enhance the Jobs and Career Service. The outcome of this engagement will help inform the future delivery strategy for the Jobs and Career Service.

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 people waiting for a decision on their Access to Work application.

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

As of 17 February 2026, the applications backlog is at 66,699. We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 29% and we have continued to streamline delivery practices.

We are using the outcomes of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation to review all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that existing obligations under health and safety legislation, including psychological health and safety guidance such as ISO 45003, are consistently applied within film and television production companies.

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

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations provide a frame-work for securing the health, safety and welfare of those working in the sector. Employers and the self-employed are required to comply with this law.

A further duty is placed on them by Regulation 3 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which requires every employer to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the risks, including from stress at work, to those employees and non-employees in relation to risks arising from conduct of their under-taking and share the significant findings.

To help the industry comply with their duties under health and safety law, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of guidance on common risks which may be applicable to activities within film, television and theatrical production, such as work related stress (Work-related stress and how to manage it - HSE). HSE also provides a range of guidance specific to film and television industry, describing the various roles and responsibilities of those within the production process (INDG360 - Health and safety in audio-visual production. Your legal duties) and guidance and information sheets for specific production activities and risks, e.g. stunts, use of firearms and filming while using vehicles. All guidance is freely available on the HSE website, a section of which is dedicated to health and safety in the film, theatre and broadcasting industries. Industry specific guidance is also available from a range of industry bodies and stakeholders.

HSE facilitates and chairs the Joint Advisory Committee for Entertainment (JACE). Membership is drawn from industry trade bodies, trades unions, large event facilities and the major national broadcasting organisations. It is a forum to consider problems in the industry, is a route for raising industry concerns with Government, enforcing authorities, manufacturers, suppliers etc, and promotes improved health and safety standards within the industry.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial payments Work Capability Assessors receive for exceeding minimum daily assessment requirements.

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

The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Department provides work capability assessment contractors with additional funding for them to award bonuses or performance related salary uplifts.

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

The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive maintains up to date standards for pesticides.

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

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) makes decisions on whether to approve pesticides based on a careful scientific assessment of the risks, with the aim of achieving a high level of protection for people and the environment in line with regulatory requirements.

HSE uses a number of mechanisms to assure its decisions are based on up-to-date standards including:

- Using internal HSE scientific expertise. This includes internal peer reviews as well as review meetings involving senior leaders not directly involved in the decision,

- Drawing on independent scientific advice from groups such as the Expert Committee on Pesticides as necessary, and

- Where appropriate, using public consultations and calls for evidence, allowing further evidence that may be relevant to be submitted and considered as part of the decision-making process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which staff at his Department are responsible for overseeing PIP assessors; and whether those staff are able to receive bonuses.

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

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are carried out by contracted assessment suppliers. Staff within the Department for Work and Pensions are responsible for monitoring and managing the performance of these suppliers.

DWP contract management staff are responsible for monitoring service delivery against contractual targets and for operating the independent auditing of assessments. This includes oversight of the quality of reports submitted by health professionals working for the assessment suppliers.

DWP staff also undertake work to monitor and manage assessment suppliers' performance as part of its responsibilities under the PIP assessment contracts.

These civil servants are part of the wider DWP workforce and, like other staff in the department, are eligible to receive performance‑related bonuses in line with Civil Service pay arrangements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many current cases are there where Work Capability Assessments have taken longer than the 13 weeks set out in departmental guidelines.

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

It might be helpful to explain that the 13 weeks set out in departmental guidelines only applies to the assessment phase of Employment Support Allowance. It is the guideline for when the department expects a decision to be made upon entitlement to Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and is not a deadline for when a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) should be conducted by.

Due to this we have interpreted your question to mean how many ESA new claims the assessment suppliers currently hold that have been waiting for a WCA longer than 13 weeks.

As of 23rd February 2026, there are 6,500 new claims ESA cases that have been awaiting a WCA assessment for over 13 weeks.

Where an assessment takes longer than 13 weeks to complete, we will automatically award arrears from the 14^th week of the claim, where appropriate, so that claimants do not lose out.

Please Note

• All volumes have been rounded to the nearest 100.
• The data provided refers to the cases counted from the date the supplier received a valid referral up to and including the 22 February 2026.
• The 13‑week timeframe referenced in departmental guidance applies only to new claims requiring a WCA. It does not apply to reassessments.
• The 13‑week timeframe referenced in departmental guidance only applies to ESA cases and does not apply to Universal Credit (UC) WCAs as UC does not have an assessment phase like ESA.
• All 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, whether he will make an assessment of the risks of the use of a) Benthiavalicarb, b) Clofentezine, c) Dimethomorph, d) Dimoxystrobin, e) Flufenacet, f) Ipconazole, g) Mepanipyrim, h) Metribuzin, i) S-metolachlor, and j) Triflusulfuronmethyl, in the context of reports that they pose serious health and environmental risks, including cancer and infertility.

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

Pesticides are subject to strict regulation in Great Britain (GB) and are only approved on the basis that they will not cause harm to human or animal health, and that there are no unacceptable effects to the GB environment.

If new information comes to light that raises questions over the safety of a pesticide, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can and does review active substance approvals under pesticides legislation. HSE is aware of new information which relates to the ten pesticide active substances listed and is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, GB governments and, where appropriate, the pesticide producers, to determine what action is most suitable for these substances.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve collaboration between Jobcentre Plus, local employers and community organisations in supporting young people into sustained employment.

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

The Department is strengthening collaboration between Jobcentre Plus, local employers and community organisations to support young people into sustained employment.

Through the development of the new Jobs and Careers Service, we are embedding a more locally responsive model of employment support. This includes working in partnership with Mayoral Combined Authorities, Local Authorities, employers and the voluntary and community sector to design and test different elements of the service that reflect local labour markets.

We are also undertaking a structured programme of engagement with 8,000 employers to better meet their recruitment needs, ensuring that support is tailored to local employers and local labour markets. This includes growing the Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) in priority sectors, where Jobcentres are working with local training providers to deliver employer-led placements combining sector-focused employability training, a work experience placement and guaranteed job interview.

We are also exploring how we can bring our services into the heart of communities to reach more people, including through our mobile Jobcentre services, where support is being provided in local community settings such as leisure centres and supermarkets.

In addition, for young people the government’s Youth Guarantee aims to ensure every young person has the opportunity to earn or learn, including those outside of the benefits system. As part of this we are expanding our network of Youth Hubs to over 360 locations across Great Britain, so that all young people can access high-quality, holistic support in their local area. Youth Hubs strengthen collaboration between Jobcentre Plus, local employers and community organisations by bringing partners together in local areas to deliver joined up support. Hubs align employment support with mental health, housing, skills provision and local employer links to help young people access co-ordinated support into sustained employment.

We have also launched eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers, backed by £90 million of funding, to test innovative, locally led approaches to supporting young people, particularly those outside of the benefits system. The Trailblazers are bringing together national entitlements with locally tailored provision, strengthening local leadership and coordination, and working with partners including the voluntary sector, employers and colleges to reach and support young people who need additional help. Learning from these Trailblazers will inform the future design and development of the Youth Guarantee as it rolls out across the rest of Great Britain.

Taken together, these steps are improving collaboration at local level by aligning employment support more closely with employers and community partners, and by delivering joined‑up, place‑based support to help young people move into sustained employment.

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 the termination of the UK–Australia social security agreement in 2001 on UK citizens who return from Australia after long periods of work there; and whether the Government has considered reviewing the policy or providing support for returners who are unable to access either the Australian Age Pension or a UK State Pension.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government currently has no plans to reinstate or negotiate a new reciprocal social security agreement with Australia.

Support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, find themselves on a low income is provided through Pension Credit. It guarantees a minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee – which will increase by 4.8% from April 2026, protecting the most vulnerable pensioners.

They may also have access to other forms of UK support subject to the usual eligibility rules, such as Housing Benefit (if in eligible accommodation) or Council Tax Reduction

These provisions operate independently of the former UK–Australia agreement and remain available to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were entitled to (a) old style and (b) new style State Pensions in Northern Ireland as of December 2025; and what was the average annual payment paid to each recipient.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold complete information on State Pension entitlement and payments in Northern Ireland, as the majority are administered by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland under the devolution settlement.

The Department holds information on the number of people in receipt of the State Pension, including payments, but not on the number of people with entitlement.

The number of people in receipt of State Pension payments administered by DWP to people resident in Northern Ireland is estimated to be a) 229 for pre-2016 State Pension and b) 279 for new State Pension. The average weekly payment for these people is estimated to be £183.15 overall, a) £178.69 for pre-2016 State Pension and b) £186.85 for new State Pension. These are based on latest figures for the quarter ending August 2025. Source: DWP Stat-Xplore.

These figures do not reflect State Pension payments administered under the devolution settlement by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland publish Benefit Statistics Summaries, with latest data to quarter ending November 2025, at the following link: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/publications/benefits-statistics-summary-publication-accredited-official-statistics-november-2025

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 Child Maintenance Service.

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

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing a modern and efficient service for all customers.

CMS continues to exceed key performance indicators, including application clearances, change of circumstances clearances, Collect and Pay compliance and assessment accuracy, demonstrating improved outcomes for customers.

Through the Service Modernisation Programme, CMS is expanding digital channels and self-service options, including online services like Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance and My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC) which are available 24/7. CMS has improved customer communications via SMS, email and providing improved and clearer letters. Increased use of online services ensures resources are available to support customers with addition and/or complex queries or needs with call routing improvements made to ensure faster access to caseworkers-owning teams.

In July 2025, CMS launched Customer Connect, an online service that allows caseworkers and customers to exchange information efficiently through the customer’s online account, reducing the need for phone contact. CMS is now developing plans to roll out Customer Connect across the full service and for all case types.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

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

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, progress his department has made on testing personalised employment support in the Wakefield Pathfinder pilots; and whether an assessment has been made of the potential impact on user experience.

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

As part of the first Jobs and Careers Service Pathfinder, launched in Wakefield in April 2025, we have been testing personalised employment support, including through a new Get Britain Working Coaching Academy and changes to claimant commitment appointments. Evaluation is ongoing and will focus on how personalised employment support is delivered both from a user and operational perspective. We are committed to publish evaluation findings in line with Government Social Research processes.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on changes to women's State Pension age, published on 21 March 2024, if he will make an estimate of the cost of providing compensation to impacted women in Dewsbury & Batley; and if he will consider the potential mechanisms for doing so.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has made its decision on this case based on due process and careful consideration of the body of evidence. We have decided it would not be appropriate to pay compensation and the detailed reasons for this decision have been placed in the House library.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to SOPS 1.1. in the Department's 2024-25 Annual Report, if she will publish a breakdown of the £6,156,284,000 spent on Programme Resource Outturn in A: Core Department in 2024-25.

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

Please see the breakdown attached at Annex 1.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the in-house digital replacement for the DWP's Find a Job service, whether an assessment has been carried out of its potential impact on (a) jobseeker outcomes and (b) employers ability to find workforce, were it to launch with a reduction in provision when compared with the existing service.

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

The new service is designed to provide a parity of service from day one. We do not expect any negative impact on Jobseeker outcomes. The Department is continuously reviewing the readiness of the new service, and it remains on track. Over time the new service will be iterated in to provide a more enhanced experience for customers, in line with the ambition for the Jobs and Careers Service as outlined in the Get Britian Working White Paper.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the in-house replacement for the Department’s Find a Job digital service will (a) offer additional functions to the current service, (b) if those additional functions will be available on launch, and (c) if not available on launch, when such functions will be incorporated.

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

At the point of launch, the in-house replacement service will support equivalent functionality to the existing Find a Job service. After launch the service will go through regular test and learn iterations to introduce new innovations.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to enforce guidance around Working Time Regulations in maternity services to encourage safe working practices in maternity care.

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

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides readily accessible guidance to all employers on the Working Time Regulations 1998 on its website and is responsible for the enforcement of the maximum weekly working time limit, night work limits, and health assessments for night work. Issues relating to rest periods and time off are a matter for an Employment Tribunal.

It is the duty of each individual NHS trust, or employing organisation, to ensure they have systems in place to comply with these regulations. HSE responds to all concerns related to working time in a proportionate way, which may include activities such as stakeholder engagement, inspections and investigations, and taking robust enforcement action if employers are not complying with legal requirements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Universal Credit claimants are assessed as having a) negligible and b) negative disposal income after housing and energy costs.

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

We do not hold information on the disposable income of households after essential expenditure including energy costs.

Working-age benefits covered by the Secretary of State’s statutory review will be increased by 3.8% from April, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2025.

The Universal Credit Act 2025 means that the Universal Credit standard allowance will be up-rated by 3.8%, followed by a further 2.3% from April.

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 households with less than £50 per month in disposable income after essential expenditure.

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

We do not hold information on the disposable income of households after essential expenditure including energy costs.

Working-age benefits covered by the Secretary of State’s statutory review will be increased by 3.8% from April, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2025.

The Universal Credit Act 2025 means that the Universal Credit standard allowance will be up-rated by 3.8%, followed by a further 2.3% from April.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that employees who face violence are supported, such as through guaranteed offers of counselling and group debriefing.

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

DWP has a robust serious incident reporting process, where colleagues’ wellbeing is paramount. The guidance advises the line manager to consider, with the colleague, whether to seek support from our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (which may include counselling) and Mental Health First Aiders. It also asks them to consider using a stress risk assessment where appropriate.

There is proactive support in place such as mandatory keeping safe training, procedures, and intranet guidance to limit these incidents and to make sure colleagues and managers are aware how to respond should an incident occur. All such incidents must be reported. Colleagues are made aware that abuse affects people differently and as such the response and support they receive will be tailored to their needs, whether through immediate help or ongoing support.

Through DWP’s critical incident support, our Employee Assistance Programme supplier can attend DWP sites for face-to-face critical incident support through both group support sessions and one to one conversations. They also offer legal advice and signposting.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what protections are in place within the Child Maintenance Service to support parents and children experiencing financial abuse.

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

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) takes the issue of domestic abuse extremely seriously and recognises that domestic abuse can take many forms including physical, emotional, or financial abuse, violent or threatening behaviour and coercive control.

CMS has procedures to ensure victims and survivors can use the service safely. All caseworkers receive training to identify abuse and signpost parents to specialist domestic abuse organisations where needed.

A Specialist Case Team manages the most complex cases, reducing the need for victims to repeat their experiences and ensuring tailored support for vulnerable customers.

For Direct Pay cases, CMS can act as an intermediary to exchange bank details, preventing any unwanted contact between parents. CMS can also advise on secure bank accounts with centralised sort codes to reduce the risk of location being traced.

The Government's intention remains to remove Direct Pay and move to a single service in which CMS collects and transfers all payments. This will remove the need for victims and survivors to provide evidence of domestic abuse and eliminate direct contact between parents. CMS will monitor all payments and act swiftly where payments fail, helping to tackle non-compliance and better support victims and survivors. We intend to implement these changes as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration is made when awarding work capability assessment contracts of potential additional costs to the Exchequer involved in contractors awarding bonuses or making performance related salary uplifts.

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

Functional Assessment Services contracts (including delivery of Work Capability Assessments) are outsourced to four prime contractors. The Department awarded these contracts following fair and open competition to deliver the best value for taxpayers. This included evaluating all of the proposed costs of delivery (including all remuneration to employees).

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an independent process to set benefit levels in line with essential costs.

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

The Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to review benefit and State Pension rates each year to see if they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or earnings. Where the relevant benefit or State Pension rates have not retained their value, legislation provides that the Secretary of State is required to, or in some instances may, up-rate their value. Following this review, State Pension and benefit rates are increased in line with statutory minimum amounts and others are increased subject to Secretary of State’s discretion.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of eligible pensioners in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency have applied for winter energy payments.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

As of winter 2025/26, Winter Fuel Payments are made to all pensioners in England and Wales, with payments subsequently recovered via the tax system from pensioners with an annual income of more than £35,000 who have not previously opted out. This means no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out, with the vast majority of pensioners – over three quarters – benefitting. Almost all Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically without any need to claim.

A very small number of individuals, for instance those who have deferred their State Pension, may need to contact DWP to claim a Winter Fuel Payment. Claims can be made up to 31 March 2026.

Winter Fuel Payment statistics are published annually, and the next publication for winter 2025/26 will be in September 2026: Winter Fuel Payment statistics - GOV.UK.

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 adequacy of Personal Independence Payment assessments in addressing the fluctuating and energy-limiting nature of Myalgic encephalomyelitis.

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

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a medically recognised condition associated with a range of disabling effects which depend upon the severity of the condition.

All Health Professionals (HPs) receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, including how to assess the impacts of medical conditions on claimant’s day-to-day activities, as well as awareness training in a range of conditions, symptoms and disabilities. HPs have access to a wide range of Core Training and Guidance Material (CTGM). These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information, including the potential risks and limitations of a range of conditions, such as ME/CFS, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments. All core training and guidance materials are quality assured to ensure their accuracy from both a clinical and policy perspective.

In addition, the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) criteria consider an individual’s ability over a 12-month period, ensuring that fluctuations are considered. It is essential for the assessment to accurately reflect the impact of variations in an individual's level of impairment, this is important for all health conditions, not only those which more typically fluctuate. For each activity, if a descriptor applies on more than 50 per cent of the days in the 12-month period, that descriptor should be chosen. In general, HPs should record function over an average year for conditions that fluctuate over months, per week for conditions that fluctuate by the day, and by the day for conditions that vary over a day.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP assessments required the use of (a) an interpreter and (b) translation services in the period since July 2024.

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

The Functional Assessment Service contracts launched on 9 September 2024. Between then and the end of January 2026, across all delivery areas, a total of 230,000 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments were completed with a translator present.

This includes British Sign Language, Irish Sign Language and lip speaking services, and is not limited to spoken language interpretation.

These numbers are based on completed assessments by either face-to-face, telephone or video where a request for an interpreter or translator was met and are rounded in line with statistical disclosure protocols.

Prior to September 2024, the department does not hold this data for all delivery areas in the outgoing assessment contracts.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding his Department plans to provide to the Local Government Association to help support disabled people hold office in local government in (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

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

It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.

A new fund is currently being developed to assist with the additional disability-related costs of contesting elected office. More information about the fund will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason PIP claimants can provide their identity through providing foreign national identity cards.

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

To be awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP), claimants must satisfy the Residence and Presence conditions, a person must:

• be habitually resident in the Common Travel Area (UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands).
• be present in GB.
• have been present in GB for a period or periods amounting to 104 weeks out of the 156 weeks immediately before that date (unless Special Rules End of Life (SREL)).
• not be subject to immigration control.

In some circumstances a European Economic Area (EEA) national, or British or Swiss citizen arriving in the UK, from the EEA or Switzerland may satisfy the past presence test from a date earlier than 104 weeks.

DWP follows government identity verification standards, verifying identities before paying benefits, updating systems, or sharing claimant information. These rules apply to all channels and services, including PIP.

A claimant’s identity can be verified in several ways, including by requesting identification documents. Foreign nationals from EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries may use their national identity cards as part of the DWP’s identity verification (IDV) process for PIP. These cards are accepted as photographic ID when accompanied by two additional forms of identification.

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 reductions in Access to Work awards on business continuity for self-employed people and small employers.

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

Demand for Access to Work (AtW) has been growing. The number of customers in receipt of payment continues to increase with 74,190 customers receiving a payment for provision in 2024/25. This is an increase of 10% compared with 2023/24. In 2024/5 Access to Work supported 7,080 self-employed customers.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper launched a consultation which has now concluded. We will make use of the outcomes of the Green Paper consultation, the Collaboration Committees, and upcoming work of the Independent Disability Advisory Panel to inform the future direction of Access to Work. We will work closely with stakeholders, including self-employed and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many claims for payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979 were made in 2025, or the most recent 12-month period available; how many of these claims were (1) accepted or (2) rejected; and what was the total paid to applicants during the period.

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

In the period between October 2024 and September 2025, 3,850 decisions were made relating to new claims received under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979. 2,510 of these claims were accepted and 1,350 were rejected. Across the same period, £38m was paid to claimants under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979.

The rejected claims data supplied is based on bespoke analysis of departmental datasets, and has not been certified as National Statistics or Official Statistics. It may be subject to revision in future.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Access to Work scheme supports people with multiple sclerosis to remain in employment.

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

The support that a customer will receive from Access to Work is dependent upon their needs and circumstances at the time they make an application. When assessing customer needs, Case Managers will consider the barriers the customer experiences in the workplace. This will include consideration of how a customer’s disability, or health condition, such as Multiple Sclerosis, may impact their ability to get into, and stay in work. Case managers will use the current guidance to ensure Access to Work principles are considered when making a decision on support.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether eligible Claimants that have existing applications for the LCWRA element of Universal Credit and are currently waiting for their Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will upon completion receive (a) the current rate of payment or (b) the rate of payment in place when their WCA is completed.

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

The Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (Rates of Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were laid in Parliament on 09 February 2026. The Regulations provide further detail on the application of the Universal Credit Act 2025 including the definition of a pre-6 April 2026 Claimant confirming that claimants who declare a health condition or disability on or before 5 April 2026 and are found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) will receive the higher rate of LCWRA. This applies even if their decision on entitlement is made on or after 6 April 2026.

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 merits of automating eligible claimants' entitlement to the disabled child addition to Universal Credit.

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

DWP’s digital application process uses automated prompts to identify where a claimant has a disabled child and guides them through the relevant eligibility criteria, helping ensure the correct addition is applied at the point of claim. This is currently the primary mechanism to identify likely eligibility and raise claimant awareness at the point of claiming UC.

The Department keeps all aspects of Universal Credit under review to ensure the system remains responsive, accurate and efficient. Our processes are dynamic, and we routinely explore opportunities to introduce further automation to streamline the process and further improve the claimant experience, including where claims to other benefits have been made.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason Access to Work decisions are not subject to appeal.

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

Although discretionary grant payments do not come with a right of appeal, Access to Work customers who disagree with their award can have their award decision reconsidered by a different case manager to ensure fairness and consistency within the scheme.

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 Local Housing Allowance levels on (a) Personal Independence Payment claimants, (b) Universal Credit claimants and (c) households placed in temporary accommodation.

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

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum level of support for people living in the private rented sector and is administered through Universal Credit Housing Element or Housing Benefit.

The current LHA rate does not apply to households living in temporary accommodation. Their housing costs are covered in full by their local authority, and DWP then subsidises the local authority through Housing Benefit.

At Autumn Budget, the Secretary of State reviewed LHA and decided not to increase rates for 2026/27. A range of factors were considered, including cross-government impacts on homelessness and impacts on protected characteristics, such as disability, in line with equality duties.

This Government has taken important steps to support people with their living costs such as the Universal Credit Act, which legislates to rebalance Universal Credit by bringing in, for the first time ever, a sustained above inflation increase to the standard allowance for all claimants.

Renters facing a shortfall in meeting their housing costs can apply for discretionary housing support from local authorities.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long does it take to restore the state pension once a prisoner is released.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

State Pension and Pension Credit payments are suspended immediately when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is notified by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) that an individual has entered custody for a criminal offence.

A citizen who has served a criminal offence must inform DWP of their release to enable DWP to reinstate their payments. Upon receiving notification from the citizen, reinstatement of State Pension and Pension Credit is usually completed instantaneously. The timing of their first payment will depend upon their regular payment cycle, which is usually 4-weekly but can be changed to weekly upon request.

Of the c13 million citizens receiving State Pension, around 1,400 citizens per annum are subject to suspension of their payments due to imprisonment. In 2025, there were 1,415 State Pension and Pension Credit related cases suspended.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners are affected by the stopping of the state pension on imprisonment.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

State Pension and Pension Credit payments are suspended immediately when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is notified by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) that an individual has entered custody for a criminal offence.

A citizen who has served a criminal offence must inform DWP of their release to enable DWP to reinstate their payments. Upon receiving notification from the citizen, reinstatement of State Pension and Pension Credit is usually completed instantaneously. The timing of their first payment will depend upon their regular payment cycle, which is usually 4-weekly but can be changed to weekly upon request.

Of the c13 million citizens receiving State Pension, around 1,400 citizens per annum are subject to suspension of their payments due to imprisonment. In 2025, there were 1,415 State Pension and Pension Credit related cases suspended.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse that would have been incurred had compensation been provided to women affected by changes to the State Pension age in the Chichester constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has made its decision on this case based on due process and careful consideration of the body of evidence. We have decided it would not be appropriate to pay compensation and the detailed reasons for this decision have been placed in the House library.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the stopping of a state pension is automatic on imprisonment but reinstatement on release is not.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

State Pension and Pension Credit payments are suspended immediately when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is notified by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) that an individual has entered custody for a criminal offence.

A citizen who has served a criminal offence must inform DWP of their release to enable DWP to reinstate their payments. Upon receiving notification from the citizen, reinstatement of State Pension and Pension Credit is usually completed instantaneously. The timing of their first payment will depend upon their regular payment cycle, which is usually 4-weekly but can be changed to weekly upon request.

Of the c13 million citizens receiving State Pension, around 1,400 citizens per annum are subject to suspension of their payments due to imprisonment. In 2025, there were 1,415 State Pension and Pension Credit related cases suspended.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of fraud in relation to (a) Pension Credit and (b) the Winter Fuel Allowance.

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

The Department publishes yearly estimates of fraud and error in the benefit system. The latest estimates for Pension Credit are available in section 9: Fraud and error in the benefit system: financial year 2024 to 2025 estimates - GOV.UK.

Estimates of Winter Fuel Payment fraud is not routinely published; more information can be found at the following link: Background Information and Methodology: Fraud and error in the benefit system, Financial Year Ending (FYE) 2025 - GOV.UK

The Department is taking action to reduce incorrectness in all benefits. The Public Authorities (Fraud Error and Recovery) Act 2025 Eligibility Verification Measure requires banks and financial institutions to provide data that will enable the Department to check the accuracy of awards. We are also introducing case reviews in Pension Credit to help ensure customers continue to receive the correct benefit amount.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 108679 on Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment, what estimate his Department has made of the reasons for the reduction in the number of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments completed in December 2025 compared to each of the previous four months; and what steps his Department plans to take to increase capacity.

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

Work Capability Assessments reduced in December 2025 compared to the previous four months due to fewer working days over Christmas and an increase of staff on annual leave, again due to the festive period.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84673, for what reason the Health and Safety Executive is recorded as having not responded to the Prevention of Future Deaths report concerning the death of Graham Faulkner.

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

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) responded directly to the Coroner’s office by email on 3 July 2024. This response was then resent to the Coroner on 11 March 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department cross-checks identity information with (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) other government databases before initiating debt recovery action relating to Universal Credit.

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

This department is committed to fairness in debt recovery and will always work with people to ensure that any recovery activity does not cause hardship or is unfairly detrimental. Identity checks are undertaken by DWP at the point a customer makes a benefit claim, and we work closely with other government departments during the claimant journey where necessary.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry dated 7 November 2025 and 12 January 2026.

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

Thank you for raising this. Both cases, CMPT12025/108144 and CMPT12026/02004, have now been assigned to a Complaints Resolution Manager for urgent action. We are prioritising them to ensure a response within 15‑working‑days, and we will monitor progress closely to avoid any further delays.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Delivery Model Assessment undertaken by his Department for the new Jobs and Careers Service included an assessment of existing AI-powered technologies available in the private sector.

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

For the new jobs and careers service the Department considered a range of delivery options and enabling technologies to support service design and delivery, including the potential role of digital and data‑driven tools such as automation and artificial intelligence.

The Department is preparing to undertake a market engagement exercise to understand the range of digital products and services that could support and enhance the Jobs and Career Service. The outcome of this engagement will help inform the future delivery strategy for the Jobs and Career Service.

Any consideration of AI‑powered solutions is subject to the Department’s established governance, assurance, and ethical frameworks, including requirements on data protection, security, transparency, and value for money. The Department continues to monitor developments in AI‑enabled technologies and will consider their appropriate use where they can safely and effectively support delivery of the Jobs and Careers Service.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Work Capability Assessments received Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, Limited Capability for Work and Fit for Work awards in the last five years.

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

The department regularly publishes Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment (UC WCA) statistics, with monthly UC WCA decision outcomes, currently available from April 2019 to August 2025, shown in Table 6 of the latest data tables and on Stat-Xplore in the UC WCA Decision Outcomes dataset. The next release, covering decision outcomes to November 2025, is scheduled for 09:30am on 12 March 2026.

The published UC WCA statistics include claimants who have been moved from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) under the Move to UC programme, although such claimants would not have had a new assessment and their previous status under ESA will have been carried over. Consequently, the Stat-Xplore statistics overstate the number of health-related claimants with new Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity and Limited Capability for Work decisions but ESA transitions have been separated out in Table 6 of the data tables.

Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract information.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people since the start of 2025 have been assessed for PIP a) in-person b) over the phone or c) via video call.

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

While this information is not currently published by the department, we will be sharing this data in a future statistical release.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people since the start of 2025 have been awarded PIP after an assessment a) in-person b) over the phone or c) via video call.

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

While this information is not currently published by the department, we will be sharing this data in a future statistical release.

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 value for money of providing equipment and technology through the Flexible Support Fund, and whether alternative models have been considered.

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

There is clear guidance in place for work coaches to follow when making awards. Work coaches must explore all other potential sources of financial support before using the Flexible Support Fund (FSF), so that spend does not duplicate provision which is funded elsewhere by government, partners or commercial providers. Post-award checks are in place to confirm funded items, including equipment and technology, are being used as intended, with explanations or repayment sought where concerns arise.

A new digital FSF application system, due to launch nationally by the end of March, will strengthen oversight by providing improved data and enabling more detailed scrutiny of awards. This will ensure funding is used appropriately and delivers value for money.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is issued to work coaches on the provision of equipment through the Flexible Support Fund.

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

There is clear guidance in place for work coaches to follow when making awards. Work coaches must explore all other potential sources of financial support before using the Flexible Support Fund (FSF), so that spend does not duplicate provision which is funded elsewhere by government, partners or commercial providers. Post-award checks are in place to confirm funded items, including equipment and technology, are being used as intended, with explanations or repayment sought where concerns arise.

A new digital FSF application system, due to launch nationally by the end of March, will strengthen oversight by providing improved data and enabling more detailed scrutiny of awards. This will ensure funding is used appropriately and delivers value for money.

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 current waiting times on decisions on claims for Attendance Allowance; and whether he will take steps to reduce the target processing time from up to 12 weeks, particularly for claimants undergoing active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department keeps Attendance Allowance processing times under review and recognises the importance of timely decisions for older people, including those undergoing significant medical treatment.

Through our wider Service Modernisation programme, we have taken steps to speed up and streamline the processing of new Attendance Allowance claims. We are now working to a target of clearing 90% of new claims within 30 days, and current performance shows that the majority of claims are being cleared within around 3–4 weeks, supported by increasing uptake of the new digital application route.

For customers who are nearing the end of life, we operate a dedicated fast-track process under the Special Rules for End of Life, where claims are prioritised and typically cleared within 8 days. The extension of the end of life definition from 6 months to 12 months ensures more people with advanced conditions can benefit from this expedited process.

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 adequacy of the Bereavement Support Payment in the context of trends in the cost of living.

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

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is intended to provide support during the acute period following a bereavement when people may face sudden costs or disruption. Where longer-term income support is needed for everyday living costs, qualifying individuals can access Universal Credit, which is generally increased in line with inflation.

The rate of Bereavement Support Payment is reviewed on a discretionary basis each year as part of the annual uprating process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to review the 18-month duration period of the Bereavement Support Payment; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) uprating the payment in line with inflation and (b) aligning the payment more closely with child‑related benefits.

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

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) provides support during the acute period following a bereavement. Unlike its predecessor Widowed Parents Allowance, which could be paid for as long as there was entitlement to Child Benefit, BSP is not an income replacement benefit. Where longer term support is needed, benefits such as Universal Credit have been designed to provide assistance with ongoing living costs.

The rate of BSP is reviewed on a discretionary basis each year as part of the annual uprating process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will coordinate with the incoming Erasmus+ National Agency to ensure apprenticeship funding rules support overseas placements in EU companies.

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

Funding for Erasmus+ placements is provided through the Erasmus+ programme. The apprenticeship funding rules for 2026/27 academic year will set out details on apprenticeships and the Erasmus+ programme.

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 Erasmus+ work placements for apprentices on the Growth and Skills Levy.

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

Funding for Erasmus+ placements is provided through the Erasmus+ programme. The apprenticeship funding rules for 2026/27 academic year will set out details on apprenticeships and the Erasmus+ programme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 110973, what proportion of the consolatory payment was as a result of a decision by the Independent Case Examiner to increase the payment offered by his Department in each of the last 5 years.

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

As part of its investigations, the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) reviews any remedies (including consolatory payments) already offered by DWP during its own complaints process. ICE considers whether these remedies were appropriate and adequately reflected the impact of maladministration. This assessment informs the findings ICE reaches and any recommendations it makes. However, ICE does not record information on the level of consolatory payments that DWP may have made prior to escalation to ICE.

The Department does record consolatory payments recommended by ICE. However, identifying what proportion of these payments were made specifically because ICE increased the offer originally made by the Department’s complaints service would require a manual review of individual case files, as this level of detail is not held in an accessible format.

Carrying out this work would exceed the cost limit set for central Government, and we are therefore unable to provide the information requested.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many paying parents were newly recorded as being in arrears by the Child Maintenance Service in each of the last 24 months.

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

The information requested is not readily available and providing it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will do everything within its powers to make sure parents comply. Where parents fail to take responsibility for paying for their children, the Service will not hesitate to use the range of enforcement powers available to collect maintenance, combining robust negotiation activity with the highly effective use of its extensive range of Enforcement Powers.

CMS has a wide range of strong enforcement powers including deductions from earnings orders, removal of driving licences, disqualification from holding a passport, and committal to prison. The CMS also introduced powers to enable the deduction of child maintenance directly from a wider range of accounts, including certain joint and business accounts, and target complex earners via a calculation of notional income based on assets.

The Service is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding has been allocated to union-led workplace learning in each of the last five years.

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

The previous government ended the standalone Union Learning Fund (ULF) on 31 March 2021. The Adult Skills Fund funds a very broad range of provision, including to support the effective operation of Trade Unions such as for Trade Union Health & Safety Representatives.

The Department is committed to working with employers, providers, and trade unions to ensure that high quality qualification and training pathways are meeting skills needs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to restore public funding for union-led workplace learning programmes.

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

The previous government ended the standalone Union Learning Fund (ULF) on 31 March 2021. The Adult Skills Fund funds a very broad range of provision, including to support the effective operation of Trade Unions such as for Trade Union Health & Safety Representatives.

The Department is committed to working with employers, providers, and trade unions to ensure that high quality qualification and training pathways are meeting skills needs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to SOPS 1.1 in the Department's 2024-25 Annual Report, if she will publish a breakdown of the £1,030,869,000 in gross spend on Programme Resource Outturn in H: Other Benefits in 2024-25; and for what reasons that figure has increased from £343,956,000 in the equivalent SOPS 1.1 table in the 2020-21 Annual Report of the Department.

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

Please see attached Annex.

We can confirm that the increase in recent years compared to 2020-21 is primarily due to the Household Support Fund. The Household Support Fund came in October of 2021 so is not included in the 2020-21 ARA.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Timms Review steering group reflects diverse representation across (a) types of impairment, (b) geographic region, (c) race and ethnicity, (d) gender, (e) sexual orientation, (f) age and (g) employment status.

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

Almost all steering group members have lived experience of disability, and the group is diverse in terms of geography, ethnicity, and sexuality. However, no single group can be fully representative of the UK’s disabled community. This is why the steering group will not work alone and will design a broader programme of participation to bring together the full range of views and voices to contribute to the Review. We are committed to transparency and there will be regular updates on the Review’s work as it progresses.

In regard to type of disability, employment status, and benefit claimant status, it is for steering group members to decide whether they want to share their own sensitive personal information. Some of our steering group members have shared this information in their public facing biographies, and some have not. It is important their choice and privacy is respected. Further information on steering group members can be found here: The Timms Review: Co-Chair Update, February 2026 - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what level of direct grant funding he provides to the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

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

DWP as the sponsoring body for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), provided a £3.640m grant in 2024/25 to cover activities ONR are not permitted to recover from industry such as fire safety and aspects of transport regulation.

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 extent to which the Timms Review steering group includes people with recent lived experience of disability and of claiming Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the composition of the group commands confidence among disabled people and stakeholders.

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

Almost all steering group members have lived experience of disability, and the group is diverse in terms of geography, ethnicity, and sexuality. However, no single group can be fully representative of the UK’s disabled community. This is why the steering group will not work alone and will design a broader programme of participation to bring together the full range of views and voices to contribute to the Review. We are committed to transparency and there will be regular updates on the Review’s work as it progresses.

In regard to type of disability, employment status, and benefit claimant status, it is for steering group members to decide whether they want to share their own sensitive personal information. Some of our steering group members have shared this information in their public facing biographies, and some have not. It is important their choice and privacy is respected. Further information on steering group members can be found here: The Timms Review: Co-Chair Update, February 2026 - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many referrals to DVSA Driving Examiner roles have been made via Jobcentre Plus under the pilot scheme in each of the six priority locations; how many of those referrals have resulted in (i) attendance at a one day assessment centre and (ii) appointment to a role; what performance indicators have been set to assess the success of the pilot; and when the Department expects to decide whether to expand the scheme to additional locations.

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

We are currently in the process of making referrals for these roles. Each location has the capacity to have 16 customers referred. Assessments will take place on 16 March (Slough & Southampton), 17 March (Tottenham & Bletchley) and 19 March (Bedford & Bromley).

Found: efficiency installations HC 1229 61st Financial sustainability of children’s care homes HC 1233 60th DWP

Found: The NAO was explicit: DWP recognises that it does not know whether the scheme provides value for money

Found:  Aggressive attitudes  Requests for responses with less than a five day turn around and then a DWP

Found: deliver support faster, more consistently and to more people, while reducing administrative burden for DWP

Found: wasting and weakening conditions use the scheme, because the condition-specific data published by DWP

Found: disabled people in work2 Data and Transparency Concerns Learning Disability England is concerned that DWP

Found: www.mssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023- 08/My%20MS%20My%20Needs%202022%20report.pdf 7 Department for Work and Pensions

Found: As a result, employers often experience difficulties in communicating with DWP staff, particularly when

Found: 44 The NAO report highlighted that changes to Access to Work case management have been described by DWP

Found: On Monday 6th October, I received a DWP text reading: “Following your request, we are looking again

Found: Multiple people and teams in different places of the UK seem to be involved and then the DWP Format

Found: DWP also sent debt collectors claiming I had an overpaid payment when I didn’t.

Found: In November 2025, it took about 5 months on average for the DWP to process applications.4 That’s more

Found: This was because the company was owed over £200,000 by DWP in repayments for grants that AAA had underwritten

Found: Last year, Minister Stephen Timms and the DWP denied Written evidence submitted by WinVisible (women

Found: Deterioration in 1 Department for Work and Pensions, Access to Work statistics: April 2007 to March

Found: distinct challenges, balancing long-standing customers, often placed through historical Department for Work and Pensions

Found: .  Policy discussions undertaken with officials and Ministers in DWP.

Found: Correspondence trails indicate that the DWP is partially willing to pay post-April 2023 invoices, but

Found: Providers left out-of-pocket for final 13 weeks due to tapering - Inconsistent tapering models across DWP

Found: Key recommendation: The Department for Work and Pensions must urgently address ongoing failures in

Found: adjustment’ as this term needs review and deeper clarity of understanding for employees, employers and the DWP

Found: While recent data published by the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the DWP does not currently

Found: (AWS0069) Executive Summary This submission provides evidence-based analysis of the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: other businesses, charities and working with various Government Departments (MoD, Cabinet Office, DWP

Found: The average time taken by DWP to process applications more than doubled, from 28 working days in 2021

Found: also identified broader capacity constraints and service quality pressures within the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: However, in August, I was contacted by the DWP to inform me that my award would terminate at the end

Found: , anecdotally, in practice, delays, inconsistent employer cooperation, inconsistent responses from DWP

Found: Many questions from employers to our policy and advice teams are therefore about whether DWP wants employers

Found: received a query from an individual who said that they had applied to Access to Work but was told by the DWP

Found: To address this, we are calling for the DWP to issue mandatory specialist training:  Access to Work

Found: [Disabled employee] 2.4.7 These findings emphasise the need for greater coordination between DWP, disabled

Found: Applications have to be filled in manually each month for each individual, and then mailed to the DWP

Found: with epilepsy to take up work, thereby reducing the employment gap and benefitting the economy. 1 DWP

Found: one of capital investment in claimant independence. 2.1 Resolve External Dependency "Time-Outs": The DWP

Found: role or my employer, but because of the removal of the well- established support by the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: short-term), which in turn affects continuity and quality. 3.4 Impact on sustained paid employment outcomes DWP

Found: This change was not communicated by the DWP and often changes in terminology are not communicated,

Found: .  Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance which positions Access to Work as a demand-led,

Found: Require DWP to publish clear, time‑bound plans to endthe backlog, including interim measures to protect

Found: assessors being lax and granting unreasonable amounts of support during the pandemic, and that the DWP

Found: Key messages ● Service delays risk undermining Access to Work: DWP reported 62,000 applications waiting

Found: similar role and with similar conditions was awarded support and was not refused any recommendations by DWP

Found: that Capita has just been awarded a £700 million civil service payroll contract by the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: Department for Work and Pensions, DWP Services and Fraud, Department for Work and Pensions, and Department

Found: .  Ensure coordination across HMT, OBR, DWP, HMRC, the DMO and the Bank to align fiscal rules with

Found: • Ensure coordination across HMT, OBR, DWP, HMRC, the DMO and the Bank to align fiscal rules with

Found: relationships between the main bodies that exist within the fiscal framework – primarily HMT, HMRC, DWP

Found: relationships between the main bodies that exist within the fiscal framework – primarily HMT, HMRC, DWP

Found: relationships between the main bodies that exist within the fiscal framework – primarily HMT, HMRC, DWP

Found: Do the relationships between HMT, OBR, DWP, the Bank of England, and the DMO allow each to carry out

Found: The DWP currently uprates benefits every April using the OBR’s inflation figures from six months prior

Found: (DWP) and the OBR; implement recommendations of the 2025 external review on independence

Found: care Fedcap experience delivering non-clinical healthcare support through Clubhouse in Department for Work and Pensions

Found: analysis of the rental income over a 30, 40 or 50-year period, but there is also the element of the DWP

Found: DWP guidance to support homeless households not being followed.

Found: efficiency installations HC 1229 61st Financial sustainability of children’s care homes HC 1233 60th DWP

Found: 44 Households Below Average Income: an analysis of the UK income distribution: FYE 1995 to FYE 2024, DWP

Found: clubs through undertaking a national review; To establish a cross-department taskforce including DfE, DWP

Found: Healthy Start entitlement, through the effective and proactive sharing of data between the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: I was trying to convey that, when I was a Minister in the Treasury and in the DWP, I was more aware

Found: I speak as an ex-DWP Minister; that is how I know. I should say that.

Found: priorities for third-party deductions from benefit payments • Direct deductions is a Department for Work and Pensions

Found: efficiency installations HC 1229 61st Financial sustainability of children’s care homes HC 1233 60th DWP

Found: important part of that project, as well as the technology and the approach, is the use of city council, DWP

Found: Government change to move policy responsibility for adult skills and Apprenticeships to Department for Work and Pensions

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is available to meet the travel costs of pensioners with cancer diagnoses.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department recognises that the cost of travel should not be a barrier to cancer treatment. NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of local communities are met, including providing support for travel.

The National Health Service in England runs the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) to provide financial assistance for travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostics tests when referred by a doctor or other primary healthcare professional. Patients who do not qualify for the HTCS and who are on a low income may be able to claim the costs from the Department for Work and Pensions through Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he is taking to make accessing and understanding support for unpaid carers clear and transparent a) nationally and b) locally.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need. I chair a cross-Government ministerial group that meets regularly, made up of ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education, to consider how we can provide unpaid carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

Work is underway to introduce a MyCarer section to the NHS App, allowing people to book appointments and communicate more easily with relevant clinical team members on behalf of those for whom they care. This will allow carers to seek guidance directly from health professionals, improving people’s experience, outcomes, and saving admin time for the health professionals and the carer.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide a range of high-quality services for unpaid carers. The Better Care Fund supports initiatives such as short breaks and respite care, with local areas deciding how to use funding based on local need.

We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.

Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care, alongside NHS England and local authorities, continue to strengthen guidance to the care sector, and online resources to make support clear and accessible through its work. This includes information on financial help, health and wellbeing services, and respite care.

Locally, integrated care systems and local authorities continue to work towards improving their services. All these steps aim to help ensure unpaid carers can access the services they need efficiently, supporting both their wellbeing and essential caring role.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he is taking to support unpaid carers a) generally and b) specifically to remove barriers to accessing respite.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need. I chair a cross-Government ministerial group that meets regularly, made up of ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education, to consider how we can provide unpaid carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

Work is underway to introduce a MyCarer section to the NHS App, allowing people to book appointments and communicate more easily with relevant clinical team members on behalf of those for whom they care. This will allow carers to seek guidance directly from health professionals, improving people’s experience, outcomes, and saving admin time for the health professionals and the carer.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide a range of high-quality services for unpaid carers. The Better Care Fund supports initiatives such as short breaks and respite care, with local areas deciding how to use funding based on local need.

We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.

Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care, alongside NHS England and local authorities, continue to strengthen guidance to the care sector, and online resources to make support clear and accessible through its work. This includes information on financial help, health and wellbeing services, and respite care.

Locally, integrated care systems and local authorities continue to work towards improving their services. All these steps aim to help ensure unpaid carers can access the services they need efficiently, supporting both their wellbeing and essential caring role.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms are in place to ensure coordination between her Department and the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Education on policies affecting household access to food; and whether responsibility for oversight of such coordination rests with a named Minister.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Good Food Cycle, published in July 2025, identifies 10 priority outcomes across themes of healthier food, sustainability, food security, affordability and inequality, and good growth. Defra leads on coordination across government on the Good Food Cycle outcomes. Defra officials and Ministers have regular interactions with other Government departments to ensure coordination on policies required to deliver them. This includes regular engagement with the Department for Work and Pensions on ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels, with the Department for Health and Social Care on food related elements of the 10 Year Health Plan, and with the Department for Education on School Food Standards.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the link between individuals holding a criminal record and (a) unemployment and (b) PIP claimants.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice does not hold specific information on the link between having a criminal record and (a) unemployment or (b) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants.

We know that employment can reduce the likelihood of reoffending by up to nine percentage points in the year following release. This is why the Government has committed to supporting ex-offenders into work, including through launching regional Employment Councils, which bring businesses together with prisons, probation and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support offenders in the community.

We recognise that having a criminal record can impact on someone’s employment opportunities, but it should not be an automatic barrier to employment. The criminal records disclosure framework is designed to balance rehabilitation with maintaining safeguarding and public protection principles. Our guidance for employers makes clear that recruitment decisions should be based on a balanced assessment of relevance, context, and risk.

DWP also does not hold data on the criminal record of claimants to PIP as this, together with their employment status, does not form part of the eligibility criteria for the benefit. We continue to work across Government to improve data-sharing and build a clearer picture of people’s employment support needs.

Found: known as the Crisis and Resilience Fund that is the subject of guidance published by the Department for Work and Pensions

Mandate Judicial Care Before Enforcement; Legally Enforce Protected Earnings; Assess Eligibility Factors of Mothers & Fathers. End Coercive, Pejorative Threat-Based Dehumanising “Paying Parent” Language. Stop the Enforcement of Disputed Cases. Restore Proportionality, Legal Principle and Due Process

Found: Reformation of DWP Child Maintenance Service. Redress Legality, Virtue & Justice

Found: departments and three are funded directly by HM Treasury Synergy – 250,000 users Lead department: DWP

Found: cabinetoffice.gov.uk Resource Estimates Armed Forces Pensions, Cabinet Office, Civil Superannuation, DCMS, DWP

Found: Scottish Government has been transitioning to replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP - administered by DWP

Found: (DWP) communications and energy supplier letters.

Found: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) includes information about benefit receipt and participation

Found: data about someone’s benefits entitlement will remain with the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: DWP GB-wide Building community resilience and infrastructure to respond to division and hate Continue

Found: have recourse to public funds, welfare estimates are included and based on internal data provided by DWP

Found: Scale Policy Principles Paper This paper sets out the Department for Work and Pensions policy principles

Found: FROMLORDKATZMBEGOVERNMENTWHIPS’OFFICE GOVERNMENTWHIPCO,DEFRA,DWP,FCDO,HO,TIOUSEOFLORDS NDWOLONDONSW1AOPW

Found: MBEGOVERNMENTWHIPS’OFFICE GOVERNMENTWHIPCO,DEFRA,DWP,FCRG,HO,HOUSEOFLORDS NIQ,SOANDWOLONDONSWIHAOPW 02072196802

Found: It draws on SG, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), National Records of Scotland (NRS), Office for

Found: Needs for Learning Allowance [for FE students] DSA - Disabled Students’ Allowance [for HE students] DWP

Found: Source: SG analysis of DWP, Stat-Xplore We expect the removal of the two-child limit to increase the

Found: The latest data on poverty will be published on 26 March 2026, reflecting a new link to DWP administrative

Found: housing element) for out- of-work lone parent/couple households with two children in Stirling.1 Source: DWP

Found: additional degree of uncertainty given planned revisions to the underlying survey data by the Department for Work and Pensions

Found: felt that the transition from Carer’s Allowance, which was administered by the UK Department for Work and Pensions

Found: The latest data on poverty will be published on 26 March, reflecting a new link to DWP administrative

Found: . • Working with DWP and HMRC to improve the take-up of help with childcare costs that they offer,

Found: The latest data on poverty will be published on 26 March 2026, reflecting a new link to DWP administrative

Found: The latest data on poverty will be published on 26 March 2026, reflecting a new link to DWP administrative

Found: poverty will be published on 26 March 2026, reflecting a new link to Department of Work and Pensions (DWP

Found: The latest data on poverty will be published on 26 March 2026, reflecting a new link to DWP administrative

Found: from the Family Resources Survey (FRS), which is administered by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions

Found: The latest data on poverty will be published on 26 March, reflecting a new link to DWP administrative

Found: The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provide financial support for people experiencing wider

Found: AREA UPDATES OFFICIAL • Training throughout the year, inputs from Professor Kemshall, RMA, DWP

Found: The Project has worked in partnership with DWP, local childcare providers, and other organisations to

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36671 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 2 May 2025, whether it expects automatic split payments of universal credit in Scotland, as it committed to in 2017, to be delivered by the end of 2026, and, if not, when this can be expected.

Answered by Somerville, Shirley-Anne - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

The delivery of the split payment policy is reliant on the DWP’s ability to carry out an impact assessment of the proposed policy and then to make the necessary changes to the Universal Credit system. The DWP have not yet provided a delivery timetable, therefore it is not currently possible for the Scottish Government to commit to a delivery date. The Scottish Government continues to work with the DWP to progress this policy.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what resources it has committed to progressing the policy commitment to deliver automatic individual payments of universal credit in Scotland, and how it is ensuring this remains a priority within the work of the social justice directorate.

Answered by Somerville, Shirley-Anne - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

The Scottish Government remains committed to working with the DWP towards the delivery of split payments for Universal Credit. During 2025 we engaged with the DWP to update the policy design specification, which we resubmitted to them in early 2026 with a request for a formal impact assessment to be carried out. We will continue to work with the DWP to ensure this work is carried out as quickly as possible, noting that progress is reliant on DWP resources.

Found: not impact upon their benefits: “the financial support I receive is proportionally deducted by the DWP