Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been identified by the Armed Forces “identifier” on to the Universal Credit system since it was introduced.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
This information is not currently available. We are developing the way to determine numbers of people identified by the Armed Forces “identifier” and plan to release them later in the year.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been assisted by Armed Forces Champions in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, and (3) 2021.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The information requested is not available as DWP does not keep such records.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether victims of modern slavery are exempt from the requirement to take an annual work capability assessment; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Sarah Newton
Ending modern slavery is one of this Government’s top priorities, and we are sensitive to the challenges faced by victims. We have worked with the Salvation Army to improve the service provided by DWP to victims. The purpose of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is to assess the impact of mental and physical health conditions, including any resulting from being a victim of modern slavery on a person, so that the right level of benefit and support can be provided. There are no exemptions from being assessed for those claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Universal Credit (UC) due to illness or disability. In addition to completing the application form or forms people or those supporting them are encouraged to provide additional evidence, including medical reports, to support their claim. If it is possible for the assessor to provide advice to the decision maker without requiring the claimant to attend a face-to-face assessment, they will do so.
The WCA is not an annual assessment. Re-referral dates can be up to 24 months for those found to have limited capability for work, and up to 3 years for those found to have limited capability for work-related activity. Furthermore, from 29 September 2017 those placed in ESA’s Support Group and the UC equivalent who have the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function would always mean that they would have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, and be unlikely ever to be able to move into work, will no longer be routinely reassessed.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the length of time taken for the transfer of documents between her Department and the Courts and Tribunal Service relating to personal independence payments claimants who are appealing the refusal of their claim in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The Department works closely with HM Courts and Tribunal Service and endeavours to transfer information within agreed timescales. We continue to monitor and review our decision making and appeals journey and have in recent months undertaken significant recruitment to ensure we deliver the best service to our customers
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received from claimants of personal independence payment with myotonic dystrophy on personal independence payment assessments; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Sarah Newton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5th November 2018 to Question UIN 186178
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received from claimants with muscular dystrophy on their personal independence payment assessment; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Sarah Newton
My officials and I have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, including those representing individuals with Muscular Dystrophy to discuss benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
For example, in regards to PIP, we regularly engage with stakeholders and one of the main avenues is through the national PIP Forum events. Muscular Dystrophy UK were invited to the most recent PIP Forum event that was held in Scotland.
Muscular Dystrophy UK are an active member of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC); who the Department meet with regularly.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have appealed against their original personal independence payment assessment; and how many of those appeals were successful.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The number of Personal Independent Payment (PIP) appeals cleared can be found in the official published statistics: “Tribunals and gender recognition certificate statistics quarterly – July to September 2017”. The relevant data can be found in Table SSCS.3 in the “Data Tables” document. This data shows the number of appeals cleared and their outcomes as a proportion. The data is broken down by year and quarter:
The appeals and overturned figures from the Ministry of Justice statistics will include appeals not related to the decision (e.g. failure to submit the form in time).
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
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 roll-out of personal independence; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Sarah Newton
The Personal Independence Payment assessment process has been subject to two independent reviews carried out by Paul Gray. The Government has responded to both reviews, most recently on 18 December 2017, and has accepted or partially accepted all 28 recommendations received.
In 2016 DWP commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct independent research with PIP claimants covering all aspects of the PIP journey, from initial claim, the assessment process through to mandatory reconsideration and appeal. The first phase of the research, examining the initial claims process, was published in the Department’s research report series in March 2017. Interim headline findings from the second wave, covering assessments and decisions, were published in December 2017. A full report covering all three waves of research will be published later this year.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to review the 10-year rule with respect to the prescription for osteoarthritis of the knee in former miners; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
There are no current plans to review the ’10 year rule’ with respect to the prescription for osteoarthritis of the knee for specific mining occupations.
I am advised on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Scheme by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC). IIAC keeps all occupational diseases under continuous review, including osteoarthritis of the knee, and is always ready to receive and consider robust scientific evidence from any source.
Asked by: Lord Coaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made on meeting its obligations to veterans in accordance with the Military Covenant.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
My Department takes its ongoing responsibilities under the Armed Forces Covenant very seriously. Good progress has been made in some key areas.
DWP officials play an active part in the Armed Forces Covenant Reference Group, which brings together officials from across Government with a number of service organisations. DWP also has a nominated Armed Forces Advocate who is responsible for ensuring that the needs of service personnel, their families and veterans are properly catered for by the Department. This means ensuring that these groups are not disadvantaged as a result of military service, and providing special treatment where appropriate.
Every Jobcentre district has an “Armed Forces Champion”, who works with the Career Transition Partnership, and also links with providers and charities giving specialist support, such as the Royal British Legion.
DWP has ensured that War Disablement Pensions and guaranteed income payments made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme will be fully disregarded in calculating an award of Universal Credit. Working with the Ministry of Defence we introduced the Armed Forces Independence Payment to provide financial support to service personnel and veterans seriously injured as a result of service to cover the extra costs they may have as a result of their injury. And we have ensured that ex-service personnel can have early access to the Work Programme.
These are just some examples of how DWP is meeting its obligations to the Armed Forces Community through the benefits system and support in finding employment.