Asked by: Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Health and Safety Executive will have regard to the environmental principles policy statement when formulating its final restriction opinion on the risks to human health and the environment of using lead in ammunition.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive is currently finalising its UK REACH opinion on further action to restrict the use of lead in ammunition and is considering the environmental principles policy statement.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of decisions relating to benefits overpayments or benefit recovery made by the Department of Work and Pensions are the result of algorithmic decision-making or another automated process.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
As set out in the Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 for the year ended 31 March 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk) (P103), DWP does not use automation to replace human judgement when investigating fraud and error to either determine or deny a payment to a claimant. A final decision in these circumstances always involves a human agent.
The Department uses algorithms and automated decision making in some services and processes, which allow us to improve accuracy, speed up delivery and free up colleagues’ time so they can support the people who need it most.
DWP’s Personal Information Charter explains how and why we use personal information and citizen’s rights and responsibilities
Asked by: Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that young disabled people are able to fully benefit from the Kickstart Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott - Opposition Whip (Lords)
We are encouraging employers to create a range of opportunities through the Kickstart Scheme for all young people aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of long–term unemployment including those who have disabilities. Job Centre Plus Work Coaches will identify those young people most in need of the extra support offered by the Kickstart Scheme. We encourage organisations that work with disabled young people to take part in the Kickstart scheme, acting as gateway organisations for their networks of small and medium employers, to encourage and support young people into a number of careers. This will help ensure that there is nothing to exclude young disabled people, or any disadvantaged groups, from accessing the Kickstart Scheme.
The Department for Work and Pensions also offers a range of support programmes including Access to Work and Disability Confident to advise and support employers looking to take on disabled jobseekers – this support can be accessed through local Jobcentres.