Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Pat McFadden
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
Steve Darling (LD - Torbay)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)

Conservative
Helen Whately (Con - Faversham and Mid Kent)
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Scottish National Party
Kirsty Blackman (SNP - Aberdeen North)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)

Green Party
Siân Berry (Green - Brighton Pavilion)
Green Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con - Excepted Hereditary)
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Mark Garnier (Con - Wyre Forest)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Work and Pensions)
Ministers of State
Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham)
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Baroness Sherlock (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab - Life peer)
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Diana Johnson (Lab - Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham)
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Andrew Western (Lab - Stretford and Urmston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Torsten Bell (Lab - Swansea West)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Wednesday 4th March 2026
Select Committee Inquiry
Thursday 29th January 2026
Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy

Members of the Education and Work and Pensions Select Committees have decided to undertake an inquiry that will consider how …

Written Answers
Thursday 5th March 2026
Offshore Industry: Health and Safety
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether an equality impact assessment has been undertaken for the …
Secondary Legislation
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Social Security and Statutory Maternity Pay (Evidence of Pregnancy and Compensation of Employers) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1976 (S.I. 1976/615) (“the 1976 Evidence Regulations”) and the Statutory Maternity …
Bills
Thursday 8th January 2026
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill 2024-26
A Bill to Make provision to remove the two child limit on the child element of universal credit.
Dept. Publications
Thursday 5th March 2026
00:01

Department for Work and Pensions Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Jan. 26
Oral Questions
May. 13
Urgent Questions
Mar. 04
Westminster Hall
Feb. 26
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Work and Pensions Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Work and Pensions does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament


A Bill to make provision about the prevention of fraud against public authorities and the making of erroneous payments by public authorities; about the recovery of money paid by public authorities as a result of fraud or error; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 2nd December 2025 and was enacted into law.


Make provision to alter the rates of the standard allowance, limited capability for work element and limited capability for work and work-related activity element of universal credit and the rates of income-related employment and support allowance.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd September 2025 and was enacted into law.

Department for Work and Pensions - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1976 (S.I. 1976/615) (“the 1976 Evidence Regulations”) and the Statutory Maternity Pay (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/235) (“the 1987 Evidence Regulations”), to make a minor adjustment to the evidential requirements when applying for maternity allowance or statutory maternity pay respectively.
This Order amends the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/917) (“the Order”).
View All Department for Work and Pensions Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
27,876 Signatures
(1,361 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
7,909 Signatures
(193 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,830 Signatures
(49 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
2,482 Signatures
(37 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
27,876 Signatures
(1,361 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
7,909 Signatures
(193 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,830 Signatures
(49 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,754 Signatures
(19 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed
161,788
Petition Closed
21 May 2025
closed 9 months, 1 week ago

We call on the Government to fairly compensate WASPI women affected by the increases to their State Pension age and the associated failings in DWP communications.

Statutory maternity and paternity pay is £4.99 per hour for a full-time worker on 37.5 hours per week - approximately 59% less than the 2024 National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21+, which has been set out to ensure a basic standard of living.

View All Department for Work and Pensions Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Work and Pensions Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Work and Pensions Committee
Debbie Abrahams Portrait
Debbie Abrahams (Labour - Oldham East and Saddleworth)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Amanda Hack Portrait
Amanda Hack (Labour - North West Leicestershire)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Damien Egan Portrait
Damien Egan (Labour - Bristol North East)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Johanna Baxter Portrait
Johanna Baxter (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire South)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 21st October 2024
John Milne Portrait
John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Steve Darling Portrait
Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Peter Bedford Portrait
Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Joy Morrissey Portrait
Joy Morrissey (Conservative - Beaconsfield)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 21st October 2025
Lee Barron Portrait
Lee Barron (Labour - Corby and East Northamptonshire)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 27th October 2025
David Baines Portrait
David Baines (Labour - St Helens North)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Rushanara Ali Portrait
Rushanara Ali (Labour - Bethnal Green and Stepney)
Work and Pensions Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Work and Pensions Committee: Upcoming Events
Work and Pensions Committee - Oral evidence
Youth employment, education and training
11 Mar 2026, 9 a.m.
At 9:30am: Oral evidence
Kate Nicholls - Chair at UK Hospitality
Chris Russell - Senior Policy Manager at Federation of Small Businesses
Kate Shoesmith - Director of Policy at British Chambers of Commerce
Tim Balcom - Chief Executive at Construction Industry Trade Board
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
David Gaughan - Director of Employment and Skills at West Midlands Combined Authority
Jan Feeney - Head of Employment & Skills at Norfolk County Council
Chris Russell - Senior Policy Manager at Federation of Small Businesses
Dave McCallum - Head of CIAG Operations at Skills Development Scotland

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Work and Pensions Committee: Previous Inquiries
Money and Pensions Service Pension stewardship and COP26 PIP and ESA Assessments DWP's response to the coronavirus outbreak Work of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment Plan for Jobs and employment support The sale and acquisition of BHS inquiry DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work Protecting pension savers – five years on from the pension freedoms: Pension scams Progress with child maintenance reforms Update on auto-enrolment and a range of current pensions issues Fraud and error in the benefits system Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessments Progress with Personal Independence Payment implementation 2014 Employment support for disabled people: Access to Work One-off evidence session on pension reforms Benefit delivery inquiry Welfare to work inquiry Pension freedom guidance and advice inquiry Tax credit reforms inquiry Local welfare safety net inquiry In-work progression in Universal Credit inquiry Understanding the new State Pension inquiry Bereavement benefits inquiry Pre-appointment hearing for the Pensions Ombudsman Progress with automatic enrolment and pension reforms Financial scrutiny of the Department for Work and Pensions Benefit sanctions policy beyond the Oakley review Progress with disability and incapacity benefit reforms Universal Credit Work Programme: the experience of different user groups Youth unemployment and the Government’s Youth Contract EU Pensions Policy White Paper on Universal Credit Automatic enrolment in workplace pensions and National Employment Savings Trust Governance and best practice in workplace pensions Role of Jobcentre Plus in the reformed welfare system Support for housing costs in the reformed welfare system School holiday poverty inquiry The work of The Pensions Regulator inquiry Executive pensions inquiry Spending Review inquiry Support for the bereaved Universal Credit and Survival Sex: sex in exchange for meeting survival needs inquiry No DSS: discrimination against benefit claimants in the housing sector inquiry Benefit freeze Overpayments of Carer's Allowance Ongoing work on DWP priorities and performance inquiry Charging for pension transfer advice inquiry Pension auto-enrolment: update inquiry Universal Credit Project Assessment Reviews inquiry Carillion joint inquiry Assistive technology inquiry Pre-appointment scrutiny of the Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee Defined benefit pensions white paper inquiry The future of the European Social Fund inquiry Two-child benefit limit inquiry Welfare safety net inquiry Benefit cap inquiry Pension costs and transparency inquiry Disability employment inquiry Concentrix and tax credits inquiry Child Maintenance Service inquiry Employment opportunities for young people inquiry Intergenerational fairness inquiry Pensions automatic enrolment inquiry Early drawing of state pension inquiry Recent pensions policy developments The Future of Jobcentre Plus inquiry Support for ex-offenders inquiry Disability employment gap inquiry Pension Protection Fund and Pensions Regulator inquiry Personal Independence Payment inquiry Citizen's income inquiry Victims of modern slavery inquiry DWP Annual Report and Accounts inquiry Self-employment and the gig economy inquiry Benefit cap inquiry Brexit and labour market policy inquiry Universal Credit update inquiry Universal Credit inquiry PIP and ESA Assessments inquiry Pension freedom and choice inquiry Defined benefit pension schemes Access to work cap on support grants inquiry Collective defined contribution pension schemes inquiry Support for carers inquiry The cost of living Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service Defined benefit pensions with liability driven investments Benefit levels in the UK Defined benefit pension schemes Cost of living support payments Disability employment gap Health and Safety Executive Safeguarding vulnerable claimants Norton pension schemes and the Fraud Compensation Fund Statutory Sick Pay Disability employment Devolution of employment support Pensioner poverty – challenges and mitigations Get Britain Working – Reforming Jobcentres Get Britain Working: Pathways to Work Employment support for disabled people Child Maintenance Service Transition to State Pension age Youth employment, education and training Children in poverty: Measurement and targets Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy Welfare policy in Northern Ireland Assistive technology Benefit cap Benefit sanctions Collective defined contribution pension schemes Defined benefit pensions white paper inquiry Disability employment The future of the European Social Fund inquiry Executive pensions Universal Credit Universal Credit - In-work progression Pension costs and transparency Spending Review Welfare safety net Charging for pension transfer advice Overpayments of Carer's Allowance Pension auto-enrolment: update No DSS: discrimination against benefit claimants in the housing sector Benefit freeze Support for the bereaved The work of The Pensions Regulator Motability Ongoing work on DWP priorities and performance Pension freedom and choice PIP and ESA Assessments School holiday poverty Support for carers Two-child benefit limit Universal Credit and Survival Sex

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 111896, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 2028 delivery date for the Jobs and Careers Service on mobilisation of the UK workforce between now and 2028.

We have interpreted ‘mobilisation of the UK workforce’ to mean moving economically inactive or unemployed individuals into employment.

We are aiming for a fully operational, nationwide, transformed service from 2028/29, with ongoing improvement thereafter. We already provide support to help people into employment through our current Jobcentre offer which will continue and improve as we transition to the new Jobs and Careers Service. We have developed an enhanced employer offer and employer strategy and grown the Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) in priority sectors. We have also announced the integration of the careers service in England from October this year, which will provide a more joined up service for customers. In April 2025, we launched our first Pathfinder in Wakefield in April 2025 which is testing elements of the new service including new ways of delivering employment support.

We are also supporting people into employment through wider initiatives including the 17 youth and inactivity trailblazers, NHS Health and Growth Accelerators, Connect to Work programme and the Pathways to Work guarantee. In addition, the national rollout of the Youth Guarantee Gateway will start in April 2026 and follow a phased implementation to ensure adequate provision and infrastructure are in place to meet demand.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the total value of contracts awarded to private contractors for (a) Universal Credit assessments (b) PIP assessments and (c) Disability Living Allowance in each financial year since 2019-20.

The contracts awarded in the period of the question were / are to deliver assessments in support of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Work Capability Assessments for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance and a range of other benefits including Disability Living Allowance (Child). All contracts were awarded as multi year agreements. The attached links sets out the total values awarded per contract/contractor.

Please note, the contract value is the total estimated value of the contract at the point it was awarded and subsequently extended. Contract spend is the actual amount of money paid to suppliers during the contract period and can be different to the contract value as a result of a variety of factors (e.g. over/under delivery, changes in volume, demand and other variations to contract).

PIP Contracts (31 July 2012 – 6 September 2024)

Total Contract Value: £1,787,043,988

Lot 1 - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Service - Contract Extension - Lot 1 - Find a Tender

Lot 2 - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Service - Contract Extension - Lot 2 - Find a Tender

Lot 3 - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Service - Contract Extension - Lot 3 - Find a Tender

HDAS Contract (29 October 2014 – 6 September 2024)

Total Contract Value: £1,297,737,098

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9bdd9fa5-0a4c-4484-a853-702b9683db80

FAS Contract (2 October 2023 – 31 August 2029)

Total Contract Value: £2,769,913,640 (including Lot 5)

Lots 1-5 - Functional Assessment Services (FAS) 2023 - Find a Tender

(NB – Lot 5 is managed by Department for Communities)

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of raising the state pension recipient maximum threshold on people who receive carer's allowance.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 23 June 2025 to Question UIN 59626.

Carer’s Allowance is devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2025 to Written Question UIN 80759, how many Access to Work claims have been processed since 10 October 2025; what the extent is of the backlog of outstanding claims; and what steps he is taking to reduce that backlog.

We are committed to reducing waiting times in Access to Work so that people can access the support they need. We prioritise applications from customers who are due to start work within the next four weeks, as well as renewals for existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment.

In March 2025, the Department published the Pathways to Work Green Paper, launching a consultation on the future of Access to Work and how the scheme can better support disabled people in employment. We are reviewing all aspects of the programme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

From the period 10/10/2025 to 23/02/2026 51,924 Access to Work claims have been processed. As of the 23/02/2026 there were 66,749 applications awaiting a decision.

Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Health and Safety Executive has formally (a) reviewed and (b) approved the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy introduced by Offshore Energies UK.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) guidance documentation and policy on introducing a Safe Weight Limit for Offshore Workers on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). HSE was not involved in the development of the document but was provided with a copy of the final draft for comment. HSE reviewed the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. As HSE is not the relevant regulatory body regarding the safe operation and use of helicopter winching systems it did not comment on the implementation of a winching weight limit.

HSE is not in a position to approve OEUK guidance documents nor will it be involved in any discussion or decision making on the applicability of equality statutes that may be relevant. That is the responsibility of individual dutyholders and employers to ensure they maintain safe operations offshore under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and all relevant regulations applicable to the sector.

HSE understands that the policy and associated guidance, developed by OEUK, is being introduced in a phased manner, over time, to enable the sector to maintain safe operations. As part of HSE’s regulatory role it carries our frequent inspections of offshore installations, which include consideration of employee roles and core competencies. HSE has the ability to take proportionate enforcement activity if it identifies failings relevant to these areas.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether an equality impact assessment has been undertaken for the potential impact of the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy introduced by Offshore Energies UK on offshore workers.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) guidance documentation and policy on introducing a Safe Weight Limit for Offshore Workers on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). HSE was not involved in the development of the document but was provided with a copy of the final draft for comment. HSE reviewed the guidance relating to occupational health legislation and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards. As HSE is not the relevant regulatory body regarding the safe operation and use of helicopter winching systems it did not comment on the implementation of a winching weight limit.

HSE is not in a position to approve OEUK guidance documents nor will it be involved in any discussion or decision making on the applicability of equality statutes that may be relevant. That is the responsibility of individual dutyholders and employers to ensure they maintain safe operations offshore under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and all relevant regulations applicable to the sector.

HSE understands that the policy and associated guidance, developed by OEUK, is being introduced in a phased manner, over time, to enable the sector to maintain safe operations. As part of HSE’s regulatory role it carries our frequent inspections of offshore installations, which include consideration of employee roles and core competencies. HSE has the ability to take proportionate enforcement activity if it identifies failings relevant to these areas.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has assessed the potential merits of introducing measures outside of the Pension Schemes Bill to protect the real terms value of pre-1997 defined benefit pension schemes.

We recognise that the absence of indexation on pension rights accrued before April 1997 can erode the value of pensions over time and affect members who rely on these benefits in retirement.

The reforms we have introduced through the Pension Schemes Bill will enable more trustees of well funded defined benefit schemes to share surplus with sponsoring employers, and allow them to negotiate additional benefits for members, including discretionary indexation. More broadly and outside the Pension Schemes Bill, the Pensions Regulator already expects trustees to consider whether members would benefit from a discretionary increase and to take account of any history of making such awards.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in (a) recognising and applying court-ordered shared care arrangements when determining maintenance liability, (b) ensuring that submitted evidence of changes in care arrangements is reviewed and acted upon within reasonable timeframes, (c) reviewing continued collection of maintenance payments where administrative error has been identified, (d) supporting service users experiencing prolonged disputes or repeated reassessments and, (f) resolving complaints in a timely manner.

Where the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is satisfied that both parents have equal day-to-day care for the child, in addition to sharing overnight care, there is no requirement for either parent to pay child maintenance. There is no statutory definition of day-to-day care; the CMS’ definition is broadly aligned with that of Child Benefit, where an ‘overall care test’ is used. This provides consistency across government and receipt of Child Benefit is regarded as a good indicator of who is entitled to child maintenance payments. Where shared care exists for at least 52 night per week, the CMS will reduce liability.

If a dispute on the amount of care provided by each parent does arises, the CMS will seek to collect evidence from parents, allowing both a reasonable time to submit the evidence before we review. It will give greatest weight to evidence of a formal agreement or court order directing shared care arrangements.

When CMS backdates a change of circumstances, it will increase or decrease liability depending on the outcome of the decision.

The CMS works to ensure that liability adjustments following changes in care arrangements are processed as quickly and accurately as possible. These changes can vary in complexity, and the time taken depends on factors such as the availability of corroborating information from both parents and whether there is agreement on the new arrangements.

Where there is disagreement or insufficient evidence, additional checks are required, which can extend the timescale.

Through its Service Modernisation Programme CMS is expanding digital channels and self-service options to provide greater choice and flexibility to allow parents to submit information more quickly, helping reduce delays.

CMS has enhanced customer communications by increasing the use of SMS text and email and simplifying letters to make them clearer and easier to understand. Online services, including Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance and My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC), allow parents to access advice and manage their case 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It has also introduced online messaging for certain processes, enabling customers to respond to requests for information at a time that suits them, with plans to extend this functionality further. By promoting self-service, CMS frees up resources to support customers who need to speak to it by telephone. Recent improvements to call routing ensure more calls go directly to case-owning teams, providing a faster and more responsive service.

The DWP aims to contact a customer within 15 working days to tell them of the outcome of their complaint or when they can expect a response if it will take longer.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
27th Jan 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments were undertaken in each month since August 2025 for (a) new and (b) existing claimants.

The number of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments undertaken in each month from August 2025 to December 2025 for a) new and b) existing claimants can be found in the table below:

Aug 25

Sep 25

Oct 25

Nov 25

Dec 25

(a) New

37,000

43,000

42,000

38,000

31,000

(b) Existing

2,300

2,800

5,600

3,200

3,400

Please note: the volumes in the tables above have been rounded up to the nearest 1000/100.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

Due to the operational nature of the department, a significant proportion of DWP roles — particularly customer-facing and telephony positions—are required to be carried out from the office to ensure customers receive consistent and timely support.

Hybrid working is available only to colleagues whose job roles are able to support it and is offered on a noncontractual basis. Eligible staff are expected to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office, supporting effective teamwork, leadership visibility and high quality service delivery.

In line with Cabinet Office guidance, contractual homeworking is usually restricted to disabled employees for whom it is a reasonable adjustment, which the Equality Act 2010 obliges us to implement. As of 31 January 2026, 1.8% of paid staff are designated as Contracted Homeworkers.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
27th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the effect of calculating Child Maintenance Service payments on gross income on the financial wellbeing of paying parents in the last five years.

The child maintenance liability is usually calculated as a percentage of a Paying Parent’s gross weekly income, unless they are on low income or benefits where they pay a flat rate of £7. Income information is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs for the latest tax year available and applies to parents who are employed or self employed. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately.

On previous Child Maintenance schemes net income was used. When this was changed to gross income on the 2012 scheme, percentages were adjusted to reflect the change and keep liabilities broadly the same for a given level of income as they had been under previous schemes.

The Government has announced a review of the child maintenance calculation to ensure the formula encourages compliance and sustainable arrangements. Any changes made to the child maintenance calculation will be subject to public consultation, and if made, will require amendments to legislation so would be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government how many claims for payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979 in 2025, or the most recent 12-month period available, were from workers in the kitchen and bathroom furniture sector.

The information requested is not readily available as occupation data is not held centrally for Pneumoconiosis Etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 (‘1979 Act’) awards.

Baroness Sherlock
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken for Access to Work award decisions and reimbursements payments on access to jobs for disabled people, including people living with multiple sclerosis.

We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practices. To protect employment opportunities, case managers prioritise Access to Work applications where the customer is due to start a job within four weeks, or cases that are up for renewal.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are considering all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) investigate suspected under-declaration of income within the Child Maintenance Service.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) focuses on maximising compliance and identifying hidden earnings through measures such as data sharing with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HMRC for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Use of historic income ensures a stable calculation, which we know from customer feedback is valued as it enables parents to rely on maintenance for financial planning purposes.

In the event a receiving parent believes a paying parent’s earnings are not captured in the standard calculation using HMRC gross income data, they can apply for a variation, under which certain other categories of income can be considered.

Cases where the CMS has reason to believe Paying Parents may be hiding their income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information that the CMS is given. If any discrepancies are found, they can implement a correct maintenance liability that is supported by CMS legislation.

The department is currently reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanisms are available to review child maintenance assessments where a paying parent is suspected of diverting income through (a) cash-based and (b) self-employed business activity.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) focuses on maximising compliance and identifying hidden earnings through measures such as data sharing with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HMRC for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Use of historic income ensures a stable calculation, which we know from customer feedback is valued as it enables parents to rely on maintenance for financial planning purposes.

In the event a receiving parent believes a paying parent’s earnings are not captured in the standard calculation using HMRC gross income data, they can apply for a variation, under which certain other categories of income can be considered.

Cases where the CMS has reason to believe Paying Parents may be hiding their income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information that the CMS is given. If any discrepancies are found, they can implement a correct maintenance liability that is supported by CMS legislation.

The department is currently reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for a case to be assigned a caseworker at the Independent Case Examiner in the latest period for which data is available.

The average time taken from complaint receipt to allocation to an investigator (based on cases in investigation on 31 January 2026) was 26.62 weeks. Despite increased demand levels, this is a significant improvement compared to January 2024, when the average wait time was 56.08 weeks.

Of those cases in investigation on 31 January 2026, the case which had waited the longest took 45.29 weeks to be allocated to an investigator from the date it was received at ICE.

The Independent Case Examiner’s office continually seeks to improve further.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the longest time it has taken was for a case to be assigned a caseworker at the Independent Case Examiner in the latest period for which data is available.

The average time taken from complaint receipt to allocation to an investigator (based on cases in investigation on 31 January 2026) was 26.62 weeks. Despite increased demand levels, this is a significant improvement compared to January 2024, when the average wait time was 56.08 weeks.

Of those cases in investigation on 31 January 2026, the case which had waited the longest took 45.29 weeks to be allocated to an investigator from the date it was received at ICE.

The Independent Case Examiner’s office continually seeks to improve further.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many (a) public engagements and (b) private meetings Ministers in their Department have undertaken related to the national conversation on defence and security.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience, and associated public communications.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year engagement designed to embed a whole-of-society approach, where Government, businesses, and the public all play a part in strengthening our resilience. This addresses the risks we face, including threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack.

The Department for Work and Pensions is actively supporting this work.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what checks does his Department carry out into the ongoing circumstances of those claiming Carer's Allowance.

When an award of Carer’s Allowance is made, the customer is issued with a written notification letter advising of changes in circumstances they need to declare that may affect their entitlement. This is to ensure DWP holds the correct details for them. This letter also details how to contact Carer’s Allowance to declare any change, via contact number, postal address and GOV.UK details for the online service.

Annual benefit uprating letters advise the customer on the new rates of Carer’s Allowance due to be paid, any change to earnings limits, and remind the customer of the changes they need to notify to DWP, and how to do so. DWP has been working with partners such as Carer’s UK to support customers better in understanding fully their obligation to report changes in their circumstances, including employment.

DWP takes a range of action to ensure the veracity of benefit awards, including:

  • Targeted Case Reviews (TCRs): DWP conducts reviews to verify that customer circumstances (income, savings, and household) match their records.
  • Data Matching and Analytics: DWP uses data from HM Revenue & Customs to verify employment and income, using the Verify Earnings and Pension (VEP) system to help prevent fraud and error.
  • New Legal Powers: The government is introducing legislation - such as the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act - to give DWP enhanced powers to require banks to share data that may indicate potential overpayments.
  • Internal Process Reviews (IPRs): DWP conducts these reviews to ensure that interactions with customers follow correct operational processes, using feedback to make improvements.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his department has made on the implementation of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 in England and Wales.

Work is ongoing to implement Administrative Liability Orders (ALO).

While Child Maintenance is reserved, enforcement of CM arrears in Scotland requires using the Scottish judicial system, which is devolved.

We are working closely with HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Government to ensure enforcement action resulting from ALOs operates effectively across the UK, and plan to introduce regulations to Parliament to implement the measures across England, Scotland and Wales, as soon as possible.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are claiming a UK State Pension whilst living abroad by the country they are living in.

There were around 1.1 million recipients of the UK State Pension living overseas outside the United Kingdom as of the quarter ending August 2025. DWP Stat-Xplore. A full breakdown by country of residence is also available via Stat-Xplore.

These figures relate to State Pension cases paid outside the UK, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions and cover State Pensions accrued in Great Britain only. State Pension cases administered separately in Northern Ireland by the Department for Communities are not included.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many individuals have been ordered to make repayments to the Department after being convicted of benefit fraud in a) 2025 and b) 2026.

We take action to recover debt on every conviction for benefit fraud through our debt recovery processes or through recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act where appropriate.

The fraud classification on our Debt Management system includes people who have accepted a caution or an administrative penalty, as well as those who have been convicted. We cannot identify if someone has been specifically convicted of benefit fraud without looking at each individual case.

We do however report on the number of prosecutions yearly in the Annual Report and Accounts. Last years can be found here: DWP Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 25, page 114.

Figures for year ending 25/26 will be published in summer 2026.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current average processing time is for Mandatory Reconsiderations for (a) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and (b) other disability‑related benefits.

Disability Living Allowance

From April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Disability Living Allowance for children was 121.7 working days.

We have approved overtime and reallocated decision makers to clear our outstanding Disability Living Allowance Child MR cases more quickly. This will help us to reduce our clearance times.

Attendance Allowance

From April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Attendance Allowance was 29.4 working days.

Personal Independence Payment

PIP MR clearance times are published at Personal Independence Payment statistics - GOV.UK. They can be found by accessing the latest release and opening the excel tables. Tables 4A – 4Biii contain information on PIP MR median clearance times.

Employment and Support Allowance

ESA Work Capability Assessment MR clearance times are available on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/. They can be found by going through “ESA Work Capability Assessments”, “Mandatory Reconsideration – Clearances” “Table 4 – Median Clearance Times by Date of Decision”.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he is taking steps to help decrease the amount of time to assess Mandatory Reconsiderations for Disability Living Allowance for children.

Disability Living Allowance

From April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Disability Living Allowance for children was 121.7 working days.

We have approved overtime and reallocated decision makers to clear our outstanding Disability Living Allowance Child MR cases more quickly. This will help us to reduce our clearance times.

Attendance Allowance

From April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Attendance Allowance was 29.4 working days.

Personal Independence Payment

PIP MR clearance times are published at Personal Independence Payment statistics - GOV.UK. They can be found by accessing the latest release and opening the excel tables. Tables 4A – 4Biii contain information on PIP MR median clearance times.

Employment and Support Allowance

ESA Work Capability Assessment MR clearance times are available on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/. They can be found by going through “ESA Work Capability Assessments”, “Mandatory Reconsideration – Clearances” “Table 4 – Median Clearance Times by Date of Decision”.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he is taking steps to engage disabled people in the process of the Timms Review of the Personal Independence Payment system.

The Timms Review is being co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and other experts.

I am chairing the Review alongside my fellow co-chairs Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. We have appointed a steering group of a dozen people, responsible for overseeing co-production of the Review.

To ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work, almost all of the steering group has lived experience of a disability or long-term health condition.

The group benefits from diverse perspectives from a range of backgrounds, but it is not intended to be representative of the UK’s disabled community—no single group could represent all perspectives or experiences of disability. Instead, the steering group will shape a programme of participation that brings together the full range of views and voices. The steering group are currently shaping the programme of participation as a priority, and we will provide an update on this soon.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the component costs are to facilitate a social security appeal hearing.

The information is not centrally recorded and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
27th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of motability cars handed back as a result of the introduction of telematics systems for younger drivers.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

Motability Foundation is an independent charitable organisation and is wholly responsible for the terms and administration of the Scheme, including the use of the telematics system. Motability and the department continue to work closely to consider how the Scheme can utilise telematics and other systems to ensure it is used for its intended purpose to support disabled people and their transport needs. Data on telematics and cars recovered from the Scheme are a matter for Motability.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
27th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has considered reducing the age range for the motability scheme telematics system to 25.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

Motability Foundation is an independent charitable organisation and is wholly responsible for the terms and administration of the Scheme, including the use of the telematics system. Motability and the department continue to work closely to consider how the Scheme can utilise telematics and other systems to ensure it is used for its intended purpose to support disabled people and their transport needs. Data on telematics and cars recovered from the Scheme are a matter for Motability.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners living in rural, off-grid homes who are ineligible for Pension Credit but are in fuel poverty due to reliance on heating oil; and whether he plans to (a) review eligibility thresholds and (b) introduce targeted support for such households.

Pension Credit provides direct financial support to pensioner households on the lowest incomes, ensuring that they receive a guaranteed minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee (SMG). The Standard Minimum Guarantee is subject to the Secretary of State’s annual statutory review of State Pension and benefit rates, and it will increase this year by 4.8% from April.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish (a) the total amount owed to parents in child maintenance payment arrears and (b) how much this has increased by over the last 10 years.

The Department publishes quarterly statistics for the Child Maintenance Service (CMS)and the latest statistics are currently available to September 2025. Table 5 of the latest National tables shows the total amount of child maintenance that Paying Parents should have paid since the CMS began, and how much of that has not been paid at the end of every quarter, from March 2015 to September 2025.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) average and (b) longest recorded wait time was on his Department's bereavement line in each year between 2021 and 2026.

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.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many full-time equivalent front-line customer support staff worked on his Department's bereavement line in each year between 2021 and 2026.

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.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what performance metrics his Department will use to evaluate the employment outcomes of participants in construction training initiatives.

The Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) is a Department for Work and Pensions initiative designed to help unemployed people move into work. It offers sector-specific training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview, supporting claimants to develop the skills and behaviours that employers are looking for in key industries such as construction.

A SWAP is demand-led and generally run in sectors with high volumes of vacancies; this includes the construction sector. From April 2021 to December 2025, there have been 65,930 starts on construction SWAPs. This represents 15% of all SWAP starts in that timeframe. We publish management information on SWAPs quarterly (Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) Management Information - GOV.UK). This includes SWAP starts by sector, and the proportion of SWAP starts with earnings at 6 and 9 months following a SWAP start.

DWP also collect and publish information about Skills Bootcamps starts, completions and employment outcomes. Further information about the methodology can be found on the relevant Explore Education Statistics page: Skills bootcamps starts, completions and outcomes, Financial year 2023-24 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase (a) skills and (b) employment support for people in South Holland and the Deepings constituency in receipt of sickness benefits.

The Get Britain Working White Paper, published in autumn 2024, and Pathways to Work Green Paper, published in spring 2025, set out the Government’s plan on skills and employment support, including for those in receipt of sickness benefits.

Our Pathways to Work guaranteed offer of personalised employment, health and skills support for all disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits is backed by £1 billion a year of new funding by the end of the decade. Once fully rolled out, we anticipate this will include a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

In addition, Connect to Work is being made available across all of England and Wales. This is a voluntary, locally commissioned, Supported Employment programme for individuals that are disabled, have a health condition or experiencing non-health related barriers to work to find and sustain employment. There is no benefit-related requirement for this programme. Lincolnshire County Council is the Lead Authority for the Lincolnshire Delivery Area and we expect them to open their service in spring 2026.

WorkWell is a health and employment support service providing integrated holistic early help for health-related barriers to work. WorkWell is delivered in partnership with health systems and has so far supported approximately 25,000 disabled people and people with health conditions to stay in and re-enter work. Following the success of the pilot, it will continue to be delivered in existing sites and expand across all of England including the Lincolnshire ICB. The expansion is backed by up to £259 million investment over three years.

Through the Adult Skills Fund in the 2025/26 academic year, we are spending £1.4 billion for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to support adults to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. In South Holland and the Deepings, the Adult Skills Fund fully funds learners who are unemployed or earn less than £25,750 (annual gross salary).

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing legally-binding targets for reducing child poverty.

The Monitoring and Evaluation framework published alongside the Strategy set out that a baseline report will be published in Summer 2026 with annual reporting on progress thereafter and Government already has a statutory duty to publish poverty statistics annually. We have put these clear reporting arrangements in place so that the progress we make is transparent for all.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit fraud prosecutions were (a) withdrawn by his Department and (b) dismissed by a judge before trial in each of the last three financial years; and if he will provide a breakdown of these cases by (i) region and (ii) the primary reason recorded for the withdrawal of the prosecution.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) do not make decisions on whether to prosecute individuals and cannot make the decision to withdraw a prosecution. The DWP will complete the investigation and when appropriate hand the case files to the Crown Prosecution Service (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland), who will make the decision on whether to prosecute.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on the role of the Ombudsman following the decision not to implement the recommendations of the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024; and when his Department will publish the action plan set out in his oral statement of 29 January 2026.

I met with the Ombudsman on 25 February. Work has restarted on the Action Plan, which will be published in due course.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of mitigating the impact of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit for pensioners with incomes just above the Standard Minimum Guarantee level.

Pension Credit provides direct financial support to pensioner households on the lowest incomes, ensuring that they receive a guaranteed minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee (SMG). The Standard Minimum Guarantee is subject to the Secretary of State’s annual statutory review of State Pension and benefit rates, and it will increase by 4.8% from April.

Pensioners with incomes just above their Pension Credit level may still benefit from a range of wider support, depending on their circumstances, including help with housing costs, Council Tax, health related support, and other means tested assistance available across the welfare system.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of its internal review process for fraud investigations in cases where a claimant provides evidence of (a) identity and (b) location that contradicts the Department's initial findings.

The Department has robust investigation processes in place to address allegations of identity and residency fraud. The Department is also bringing in additional inspection of our end-to-end investigations following the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 through His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in England and Wales and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICS) in Scotland.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of data-sharing between the Child Maintenance Service and HM Revenue and Customs in detecting income manipulation.

As a principal part of the service design, the department uses data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and its own benefits data to assess 91% of Paying Parents earned income and benefit status, which are key parts of the maintenance calculation. We also receive evidence of income directly from Universal Credit where a customer is in receipt of Universal Credit with earnings.

Primarily, calculations are based on historic income amounts from the latest available tax year, provided via interface by HMRC, where a complete tax year is available within the last 6 years. Where historic tax year information is unavailable, or a customer requests a supersession on the basis that PP income is 25% different from the historic amount, we have two routes based on the PP employment circumstances:

  • Where a customer is employed, we directly interface with Real Time Information (RTI) to obtain real time evidence of a customer’s current income.

  • Where a customer is self-employed, we require a fully complete and verified Self-Assessment Tax Return, of a more current tax year that that provided previously by HMRC. This negates mid-year changes for Self Employed customers as self-employed income can fluctuate from month to month.

Where a paying parent receives unearned income which can be legally considered in assessing child maintenance either parent can request a variation to the normal maintenance calculation. Cases involving suspected misrepresentation or fraudulent behaviour can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU). This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions to check the accuracy of information the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is given.

Where a change to current income is applied, CMS will further verify this against HMRC evidence at Annual Review, and again at a Periodic Current Income Check (+11 months from change to Current Income) to re-verify the income evidence with RTI. This provides comprehensive assurance as it is independent of the Paying Parent and directly interfaces with HMRC, reducing the opportunity for misrepresentation or inaccuracies. We have increased the proportion of changes where we automatically interface with RTI, including changes instigated by Receiving Parents.

In October 2023, the Government announced intentions to introduce legislation so that unearned income can be considered automatically when the maintenance calculation is made to ensure a paying parent’s maintenance calculation reflects their ability to pay. We are currently engaging with stakeholders on how best to implement this.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Jobcentre Plus conducts post-award checks on items provided through the Flexible Support Fund.

The Department has strong safeguards in place to ensure that equipment and technology funded through the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) are not sold or misused.

Work coaches carefully assess each request to ensure it is reasonable, represents good value for money, and is necessary to support a customer to move into work, and that no alternative funding is available.

After an award is issued, work coaches check that the item is used as intended and will seek an explanation — or consider repayment — if concerns arise, such as training not being attended. Independent post-award checks add a further layer of assurance.

Work coaches are expected to meet their financial responsibilities and follow-up action must be taken post the FSF award. This ensures that action is taken to recover funds spent inappropriately.

In addition, 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.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to prevent (a) equipment and (b) technology funded through the Flexible Support Fund from being (i) sold and (ii) misused by recipients.

The Department has strong safeguards in place to ensure that equipment and technology funded through the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) are not sold or misused.

Work coaches carefully assess each request to ensure it is reasonable, represents good value for money, and is necessary to support a customer to move into work, and that no alternative funding is available.

After an award is issued, work coaches check that the item is used as intended and will seek an explanation — or consider repayment — if concerns arise, such as training not being attended. Independent post-award checks add a further layer of assurance.

Work coaches are expected to meet their financial responsibilities and follow-up action must be taken post the FSF award. This ensures that action is taken to recover funds spent inappropriately.

In addition, 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.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many graduates who graduated in the last five years are registered as claimants at jobcentres.

There has been no assessment made of the number of graduates who have graduated in the last five years and are claiming benefits.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Jan 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total cost was of centrally provided career coaching, career transition, or redeployment support accessed by Department for Work and Pensions staff in each calendar quarter from Q1 2023 to the most recent quarter for which data is available.

The table below covers the period from April 2023 to December 2025 for spend relating to centrally provided career coaching, career transition, or redeployment support accessed by DWP employees and March 2023 to August 2025 for spend relating to centrally provided career coaching within Talent, accessed by DWP employees.

Centrally provided career coaching, transition, or redeployment support

Career coaching within Talent

2023

£199,180.38

£206,253

£51,563

Qtr2

£63,105.19

£51,563

Qtr3

£71,485.00

£51,563

Qtr4

£64,590.19

£51,563

2024

£194,180.33

£161,091

Qtr1

£47,143.19

£161,091

Qtr2

£40,658.19

£0

Qtr3

£38,085.63

£0

Qtr4

£68,293.32

£0

2025

£165,239.03

£127,948

Qtr1

£51,671.17

£0

Qtr2

£42,873.93

£127,948

Qtr3

£34,781.93

£0

Qtr4

£35,912.00

£0

Total Spend

£558,599.74

£495,292.00

* For the Leaders Like You programme in Year 1 (2023), payments to Ernst & Young were made monthly. For ease of presentation, the 2023 figures are shown quarterly in the table. From 2024 the payment changed from monthly to a single annual invoice.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to prevent economic abuse of women occurring through child maintenance; what safeguards the Child Maintenance Service has in place to identify and respond to such cases; whether he plans to introduce further measures; and what the timetable is for implementing measures to strengthen protections for affected women and children.

The CMS has access to resources which help caseworkers provide signposting to supporting organisations that support victims and survivors of domestic abuse. All CMS caseworkers receive extensive training and follow a well-managed process and domestic abuse plan which includes steps to support and recognise domestic abuse, including economic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.

The Government’s focus is to deliver a policy that meaningfully protects parents who are victims of domestic abuse. We believe the best way to achieve that is through the removal of the Direct Pay service. Under the reformed service, all cases will be managed in a single service where the CMS monitors and transfers all payments. Reforms to the CMS will provide a safer service for victims and survivors by preventing unwanted contact with the other parent and removing opportunities for abuse that currently exist in Direct Pay, including the need for receiving parents to report non-compliance.

Our intention remains to remove Direct Pay, and we will do so as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, we are strengthening our support for victims/survivors, for example by making it easier for parents to switch to the Collect and Pay service and being clearer in our communication about what support is available for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and how to access it.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many directors with responsibility for human resources are employed across their department and its executive agencies; and how many of those directors hold professional HR qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or equivalent professional bodies.

Number of Directors with responsibility for HR across DWP and its Executive Agencies

Number of these who have a CIPD qualification or equivalent

5

5

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of payments were made through the Child Maintenance Service collect and pay system in each of the last three years.

The Department regularly publishes Child Maintenance Service official statistics, with the latest statistics available to September 2025, and detailed quarterly statistics on the number of CMS Arrangements available on Stat-Xplore.

The table CMS Arrangement 1: Service Type and Paying Status by Quarter shows the number of CMS arrangements by service type for each quarter from March 2016 to September 2025. The table provides figures for the number of Collect & Pay arrangements for which the Paying Parent paid some child maintenance during the quarter, and those where no payment was made.

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

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) completion and (b) achievement rates were for cyber security apprenticeships at (i) Level 3, (ii) Level 4 and (iii) Level 6 in each year since 2020.

The apprenticeship ‘National achievement rate tables’ are published in the Apprenticeships statistics publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships/

Apprenticeship retention and achievement rates for cyber security apprenticeships can be found here:

We do not produce data on the number of employers who have offered cyber security apprenticeships.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employers have offered cyber security apprenticeships in each year since 2020.

The apprenticeship ‘National achievement rate tables’ are published in the Apprenticeships statistics publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships/

Apprenticeship retention and achievement rates for cyber security apprenticeships can be found here:

We do not produce data on the number of employers who have offered cyber security apprenticeships.

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