Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the ruling by the Court of Appeal in SSWP v Johnson & Others [2020] EWCA Civ 778, handed down on 22 June, what plans they have (1) to change the algorithm used to calculate Universal Credit entitlements, and (2) to compensate claimants whose payments were affected by that algorithm.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
In its deliberations, the Court of Appeal recognised the complexity of the issue which the Department is working towards resolving for claimants as soon as possible.
We intend to bring forward legislation to address the issues raised by the Court of Appeal so that in future, for cases affected by this issue, monthly earnings can be reallocated to another assessment period, which means that only one set of earnings should be taken into account rather than two.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many criminal gangs engaged in large-scale benefit fraud have been identified by the Department for Work and Pensions using artificial intelligence.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Department is alert to organised threats to the benefit system and has measures in place to keep our systems secure.
We cannot disclose information about our counter-fraud activity as this would prejudice our ability to detect fraud and crime.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many additional staff members have been (1) redeployed from other parts of the civil service, and (2) hired as new staff members, to handle increases in benefits claims. [T]
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Department for Work and Pensions has agreed and planned the transfer of 967 staff from Other Government Departments. 500 colleagues have been redeployed from other parts of the civil service already, with 475 of them currently still working for DWP. A further 397 redeployments are scheduled in the week of 11 May.
The Department has offered 1344 posts to people who were already on waiting lists following successful interviews for positions with the department, 543 people have accepted and pre-employment checks have been completed for 377 of these.
In addition, the Department is engaged in an exercise to directly recruit temporary staff on six-month contracts, many of whom are Jobcentre Plus customers recommended for these roles by their Work Coaches. So far, 1984 provisional offers of employment have been accepted, subject to background checks being completed.
We have also engaged 315 agency staff with a further 350 due to start work scheduled in the week of 11 May.
We have also committed to re-deploying 10,000 DWP staff to critical frontline services.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether an employee who is isolating due to COVID-19 and is in receipt of Statutory Sick Pay can claim Universal Credit to supplement their income. [T]
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
Employees who are self-isolating in line with government advice because they are displaying symptoms, or someone in their household is displaying symptoms, of Coronavirus, and are unable to work as a result, will be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Other eligibility criteria apply. Emergency legislation has also been introduced to suspend the SSP ‘waiting days’. This means that employees will receive SSP from the first day they are unable to work due to coronavirus.
Universal Credit is also available for those on low incomes who need extra financial support and an individual can claim both Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay if they meet the criteria for entitlement.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to suspending (1) face-to-face interviews, (2) work search requirements, and (3) sanctions, for people of working age on Universal Credit or legacy benefits for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether statutory sick pay will be payable to employees (1) who are not sick but are self-isolating because someone in their household has symptoms that could indicate COVID-19, and (2) who are not sick but are self-isolating because they are over 70 or have an underlying health condition.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to ensure that those who are unable to work during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of underlying health conditions can apply for (1) Employment and Support Allowance, (2) Personal Independence Payment, and (3) Universal Credit, even if they are unable to leave their homes.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that everyone should be supported to do the right thing.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to extend statutory sick pay to people earning below the threshold of £118 per week who are affect by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to raise statutory sick pay to the level of the National Living Wage for those affected by COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reform the application process for Universal Credit to reflect their advice on self-isolation for COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
As both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19 and we have been clear in our intention that no one should be penalised for doing the right thing. These are rapidly developing circumstances, we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.