Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure survivors of domestic abuse are exempt from fees associated with child maintenance.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) removed the £20 application fee in February 2024. This has removed any requirement to report domestic abuse. It has also removed one of the affordability barriers for parents who wish to apply to the scheme.
A consultation on proposed reforms to the CMS was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. This included:
The consultation was extended by this Government at the end of July and ran until 30 September 2024. We are currently analysing the responses we have received, and the Government will publish a response in due course.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the review of calculations of child maintenance.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department has been conducting a review of the child maintenance calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose and reflects today’s social trends. This process is ongoing and no date for announcing the outcome has yet been set. When it is, any changes will be subject to extensive consultation and legislation brought forward where necessary for approval.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government further to the report Hidden Hardship, published by Dr Stephanie Denning of Coventry University in November 2023, what assessment they have made of the need (1) to tailor support provided through the welfare state for people experiencing rural hardship, and (2) to address the lack of affordable housing, public transport, and amenities in rural areas.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We are committed to tackling poverty and raising living standards across the country. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. Backed by £240 million investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper sets out details of reforms to employment support, including creating an inclusive labour market in which everybody can participate and progress in work. Our vision is for a service where people can access support through the channels that best meet their needs – whether that is online, on the phone or in person. We will also be devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they service.
This Government is also committed to delivering the biggest increase in affordable housing in a generation. Our long-term Housing Strategy, which will be published in the Spring, will set out a plan to reform the housing market so that it works better for communities and for building 1.5 million high-quality homes. In addition, the existing Rural Housing Enablers Programme has established a network across England which works with housing providers, rural communities and local authorities to identify local housing needs, source sites, and facilitate the development of small-scale affordable rural housing schemes.
This Government knows how important bus services are to local communities and that buses can be a lifeline in particular for those in rural areas. We have set out a plan to deliver better buses throughout England by giving local leaders the tools they need and empowering them to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities they serve, including through the introduction of the Buses Bill later in this parliamentary session. The government also recognises the importance of providing funding to support and drive improvements to bus services over the longer-term. In the Budget we confirmed over £1 billion of funding to support and improve bus services, and keep fares affordable in England outside London.
The Government’s Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund supports the modernisation and improvement of village halls across England helping to keep these valuable assets and the services they provide accessible to rural communities. We also provide support to rural communities for actions to address local needs and capacity building through a programme of activities delivered through the Action with Communities in Rural England Network.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for a funding programme for food banks to develop into alternative forms of initiative, such as food clubs or social supermarkets.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
Food Banks are independent, charitable organisations where local communities come together to support one another. This is a great example of the generosity of spirit across the country. The Government has no role in their operation.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, and if so when, the Department for Work and Pensions will resume the sharing of Healthy Start take-up data with the Department of Health and Social Care.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
DWP are working with DHSC to make data available by the end of 2022.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have carried out an impact assessment of increasing the numbers of face-to-face advice services covering (1) household finances, and (2) benefit entitlement, in community centres that provide food to households on low incomes.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
No assessment has been made.
DWP staff provide benefit and employment support across Great Britain through our national network of Jobcentres, who work in partnership with a variety of organisations that offer local budgeting and debt advice support.
The Government is keen to ensure that everyone accesses the benefits they are entitled to, which is why we have just launched an eligibility checker that can be found at Gov.uk.
DWP also funds the Money and Pensions Service that provides additional support to help people – particularly those most in need – to improve their financial wellbeing. It provides access to high-quality money and debt advice through its “MoneyHelper” services and signposting to third party organisations best placed to help.