Alison McGovern Portrait

Alison McGovern

Labour - Wirral South

First elected: 6th May 2010

Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)

(since December 2021)

Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Apr 2020 - 4th Dec 2021
Cultural Objects (Protection From Seizure) Bill
9th Nov 2021 - 17th Nov 2021
Treasury Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 11th May 2020
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
12th Dec 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Treasury Sub-Committee
14th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Treasury Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
1st Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
26th Oct 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
8th May 2015 - 18th Sep 2015
Shadow Minister (Education)
5th Nov 2014 - 30th Mar 2015
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
18th Nov 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow Minister (International Development)
7th Oct 2013 - 5th Nov 2014
Opposition Whip (Commons)
11th Jan 2013 - 7th Oct 2013
International Development Committee
2nd Nov 2010 - 4th Feb 2013


Department Event
Monday 18th December 2023
14:30
Department for Work and Pensions
Oral questions - Main Chamber
18 Dec 2023, 2:30 p.m.
Work and Pensions (including Topical Questions)
Save to Calendar
View calendar
Note: This event involves a Department with which this person is linked, and does not guarantee their actual attendance.
Division Votes
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 140 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 275
Speeches
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Oral Answers to Questions
Q8.   Last week, in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham), the Prime Minister claimed …
Written Answers
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Jobcentres: Staff
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether incentives are included as part of work coach performance …
Early Day Motions
Tuesday 15th October 2019
Intimidation in public life
That this House recognises that intimidation experienced by those in public life poses a threat to the diversity, integrity, and …
MP Financial Interests
Monday 30th October 2023
3. Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources
Name of donor: The Premier League
Address of donor: Brunel Building, 57 North Wharf Road, London W2 1HQ
Amount of …
EDM signed
Monday 17th April 2023
Paul O'Grady
That this House expresses its sadness on the untimely passing of Paul O’Grady; celebrates the life of a much-loved entertainer, …
Supported Legislation
Wednesday 22nd April 2020
Public Advocate (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
A Bill to establish a public advocate to provide advice to, and act as data controller for, representatives of the …

Division Voting information

During the current Parliamentary Session, Alison McGovern has voted in 639 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Alison McGovern Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Nigel Huddleston (Conservative)
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
(31 debate interactions)
Mims Davies (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
(16 debate interactions)
Rishi Sunak (Conservative)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(15 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Work and Pensions
(55 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(31 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(27 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Alison McGovern's debates

Wirral South 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).

Petitions with highest Wirral South signature proportion
Petitions with most Wirral South signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

Bring in a law which enforces professional football clubs to have at least 51% fan ownership similar to how the Bundesliga operates this rule.

The Government should use the recently established fan led review of football to introduce an Independent Football Regulator in England to put fans back at the heart of our national game. This should happen by December 2021.

The Coronavirus Act grants potentially dangerous powers including to detain some persons indefinitely, to take biological samples, and to give directions about dead bodies. Powers last up to 2 years with 6 monthly reviews, and lockdown powers could prevent protests against measures.

The Government should allow golf courses to remain open during the second lockdown, and any future restrictions. Shops and clubhouses can close, but courses should be allowed to remain open, with social distancing in place.

Consider keeping gyms open during lockdown because so many people have mental health and stress and they need something to do to take their mind off it closing all fitness facilities can affect us pretty badly.

Urgent call for the government to close all nurseries and early years settings in light of the new lockdown to protect early years staff.

We want the government to recognise the importance of gyms, health clubs, leisure centres and swimming pools in empowering people to look after their health and stay fit and for them to open first as we come out of lockdown.

We're also calling for government to fund a Work Out to Help Out scheme.

Isolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people. The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.

In the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid. Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance. Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner.

Football is a powerful tool of which allows a range of benefits such as employment, and other important aspects of life. Football can be associated with passion, emotion, excitement and dedication across the community. With Fans attending football games a range of economic benefits are there too.


Latest EDMs signed by Alison McGovern

29th March 2023
Alison McGovern signed this EDM on Monday 17th April 2023

Paul O'Grady

Tabled by: Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
That this House expresses its sadness on the untimely passing of Paul O’Grady; celebrates the life of a much-loved entertainer, writer, actor, and comedian; recognises the great pride that the people of Birkenhead have taken over many years in the continued success of their favourite son; commends the trailblazing work …
32 signatures
(Most recent: 21 Apr 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 21
Scottish National Party: 5
Plaid Cymru: 3
Independent: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
20th February 2023
Alison McGovern signed this EDM on Monday 20th February 2023

2022 Champions League Final and Liverpool Football Club supporters

Tabled by: Ian Byrne (Labour - Liverpool, West Derby)
That this House welcomes the findings of the Independent Panel Inquiry into the near-disaster at the UEFA Champions League Final in Paris on 28 May 2022; notes, further to EDM 131 tabled by the hon. Member for Liverpool West Derby, the total exoneration of Liverpool supporters by the panel from …
48 signatures
(Most recent: 17 Apr 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 35
Independent: 7
Scottish National Party: 3
Conservative: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
View All Alison McGovern's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Alison McGovern, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Alison McGovern has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Alison McGovern

Monday 24th April 2023
Wednesday 15th June 2022

2 Bills introduced by Alison McGovern


Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 16th July 2014

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to broaden the scope of the general duty of library authorities so as to include a duty to provide related cultural facilities alongside the library service; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 1st December 2010

496 Written Questions in the current parliament

(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
2 Other Department Questions
14th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2023 to Question 903996 on Equality Act 2010, if he will outline the policies and practical actions that the Government plans to implement.

The Government is ensuring that all young people get every opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them. Social mobility initiatives include:

  • Increasing the number of good school places, 87% of schools are now rated good or outstanding, up from 68% in 2010 and;
  • Ensuring people of all ages get the education and skills they need by investing in careers education, transforming technical education, and making apprenticeships and the higher education system more accessible.

On 1 April 2023, the Government will increase the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 23 years and over by 9.7% to £10.42. This keeps the Government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the NLW to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024 (if economic conditions allow).

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
8th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to implement section 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

The Government has no plans to commence Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 in England. As merely a “due regard” duty, it requires no specific action from the public body concerned, and risks becoming a tick-box exercise, complied with to minimise the risk of litigation rather than to promote real change in society. The duty is also wrongly focussed on equalising socio-economic outcomes rather than opportunities. The Government’s preferred approach is to progress specific policies and practical actions that will deliver real change.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2023 to Question 190603 on Cabinet Office: Members, what comparative assessment he has made of the performance of each Department at meeting the 20-day target.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Members’ correspondence. As set out in the Guide to Handling Correspondence on gov.uk and in the response to Question 190603, the deadlines set by Departments for responding to correspondence should not exceed 20 working days and they are strongly encouraged to set more challenging deadlines to ensure greater efficiency in responding to correspondence.

While each Department is responsible for managing their own timeliness in responding to correspondence, the Cabinet Office, as owners of the Guide to Handling Correspondence, regularly engages with correspondence officials in Government Departments to discuss and review performance and issues that may be impacting performance. The Cabinet Office also publishes correspondence performance data on GOV.UK on a regular basis, detailing departmental performance in handling correspondence. This can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1145941/Data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-MPs-and-Peers-in-2022.docx.pdf

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant the Answer of 3 July 2023 to Question 90603 on Cabinet Office: Members, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on factors that may be impacting their Department's performance in responding to correspondence.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Members’ correspondence. As set out in the Guide to Handling Correspondence on gov.uk and in the response to Question 190603, the deadlines set by Departments for responding to correspondence should not exceed 20 working days and they are strongly encouraged to set more challenging deadlines to ensure greater efficiency in responding to correspondence.

While each Department is responsible for managing their own timeliness in responding to correspondence, the Cabinet Office, as owners of the Guide to Handling Correspondence, regularly engages with correspondence officials in Government Departments to discuss and review performance and issues that may be impacting performance. The Cabinet Office also publishes correspondence performance data on GOV.UK on a regular basis, detailing departmental performance in handling correspondence. This can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1145941/Data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-MPs-and-Peers-in-2022.docx.pdf

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July to Question 190603 on Cabinet Office: Members, what the deadline to respond to correspondence set by each Government Department was as of 5 July 2023.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Members’ correspondence. As set out in the Guide to Handling Correspondence on gov.uk and in the response to Question 190603, the deadlines set by Departments for responding to correspondence should not exceed 20 working days and they are strongly encouraged to set more challenging deadlines to ensure greater efficiency in responding to correspondence.

While each Department is responsible for managing their own timeliness in responding to correspondence, the Cabinet Office, as owners of the Guide to Handling Correspondence, regularly engages with correspondence officials in Government Departments to discuss and review performance and issues that may be impacting performance. The Cabinet Office also publishes correspondence performance data on GOV.UK on a regular basis, detailing departmental performance in handling correspondence. This can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1145941/Data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-MPs-and-Peers-in-2022.docx.pdf

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
21st Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2023 to Question 188915, what steps he is taking to increase compliance with the 20-day target across Departments.

Departments across government work to strict internal deadlines to ensure responses are progressed within 20 working days. The Guide to Handling Correspondence on gov.uk clearly sets out the importance this government attaches to the effective and efficient handling of correspondence received from Members.

Whilst 4 weeks is the deadline to respond to correspondence, departments are encouraged to set more challenging deadlines.

Officials working on correspondence across government departments are encouraged to engage regularly with policy officials, to ensure responses going out to Members are drafted and progressed as efficiently as possible. Cabinet Office regularly engages with correspondence officials in other Government departments to discuss performance and what may be impacting their performance.

As set out in the response to Question 188915, Government Ministers are expected to respond quickly and effectively to Members’ correspondence and I will continue to drive that message. Every effort must be made to reply to correspondence promptly and within the original deadline.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
12th Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average time is for a Department to respond to casework queries from Rt hon. and hon. Members.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence.

As per the Cabinet Office’s Guide to Handling Correspondence on gov.uk, departments and agencies should aim to respond to correspondence from MPs within a 20 working day target deadline, but are advised to consider setting more challenging deadlines than 20 working days to ensure a better minimum service level.

Performance data on responses to correspondence from Parliamentarians for 2022 can be found on gov.uk. This data shows the volume of correspondence received by government departments and agencies from Parliamentarians and the percentage that was responded to within each department’s target deadline as well as the 20 working day maximum target deadline.

I expect Government Ministers to respond quickly and effectively to Members’ correspondence and I will continue to drive that message.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
3rd Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of trends in the number of redundancies in the charity sector.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many homes were retrofitted as a result of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator in Wirral South constituency as of 24 November 2022.

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator awarded around £62m of grant funding, delivering from 2021 into 2022, no funding was awarded to Wirral South. The SHDF Wave 2.1 competition, which closed on 18th November 2022, will allocate up to £800m of grant funding. Successful projects will be notified around March 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many homes had been retrofitted through the Local Authority Delivery Scheme in Wirral South on 21 November 2022.

As of 21 November 2022, according to official figures, 28 homes have been retrofitted in Wirral South under the Local Authority Delivery Scheme.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much money has the Government spent on the Social Housing Decarbonization Fund in Wirral South constituency as of 24 November 2022.

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator awarded around £62m of grant funding, delivering from 2021 into 2022, no funding was awarded to Wirral South. The SHDF Wave 2.1 competition, which closed on 18th November 2022, will allocate up to £800m of grant funding. Successful projects will be notified around March 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the cost to the public purse was of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in Wirral South as of 24 November 2022.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not hold a breakdown of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding by constituency. Lists of all projects funded through the scheme can be found on the scheme’s GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many people have received the Warm Homes Discount in Wirral South as of 24 November 2022.

Energy suppliers are responsible for providing rebates to eligible households and are only required to report on the number of rebates provided in England, Scotland and Wales. The Government does not hold data on the number of rebate recipients by constituency.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with businesses in Wirral South on the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on those businesses.

The Government recognises the impact rising prices are having on businesses, including those in Wirral South, and is engaging with businesses across the UK to understand these challenges and explore ways to mitigate them.

­­

The Government has reversed the National Insurance rise, saving SMEs £4,200 on average, cut fuel duty for 12 months and brought in the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which is shielding businesses across the country from soaring energy prices, saving some around half of their wholesale energy costs.

We have also announced £13.6 billion of support for businesses over the next five years, reducing the burden of business rates for SMEs.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with (a) the Minister for Women and Equalities and (b) Cabinet colleagues on improving (i) access to entrepreneurial career pathways and (ii) business ownership for people with protected characteristics in Wirral South.

The Government is fully committed to supporting businesses and creating the best conditions for enterprise so that everyone, whatever their background, has the means and know-how to start and grow a business.

We are supporting early-stage entrepreneurs from all backgrounds through the Start-Up Loans Company which provides funding and intensive support to new entrepreneurs. Since 2012, 40% of Start Up Loans have gone to women, worth over £341m and 20% of loans worth 183m have gone to Black, Asian, and Ethnic-minority business. (as at October 2022). 106 SMEs in Wirral South have received loans to the value of £1,014,500 as of October 2022.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many and what proportion of businesses are owned by women in Wirral South.

In the UK in 2021, 19% of SMEs with employees (a three-percentage point increase on 2020) and 20% of firms with no employees (21% in 2020) were female-led. The government does not hold regional data relating to the proportion of female-led business.

The Rose Review is supported by the industry-led ‘Rose Review Council for Investing in Female Entrepreneurs’ that aims to coordinate industry-led action to increase investment into female-led businesses.

The Government has set an ambition to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by half by 2030, equivalent to 600,000 new entrepreneurs.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many SMEs in Wirral South have received Government funding for support during the cost of living crisis.

The Government recognises the impact rising prices are having on businesses, including those in Wirral South.

Businesses in Wirral South will have benefitted from the Government’s reversal of the National Insurance rise, saving SMEs on average £4,200, cut fuel duty for 12 months and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, to protect SMEs from high energy costs over the winter. The Employment Allowance was increased to £5,000 from April and we have continued to provide business rate relief worth over £7bn, freezing the business rates multiplier for a further year.

The Government is providing financial support - 106 SMEs in Wirral South have received Start Up Loans to the value of £1,014,500 as of October 2022.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many homes in Wirral South have had ECO scheme measures installed as of 24 November 2022.

BEIS publishes information on the number of households in receipt of ECO measures by Parliamentary Constituency in Table 4.5 accompanying the latest Household Energy Efficiency Statistics release.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the rate of energy efficiency measure installations in homes in Wirral South.

The Government is committed to improving the energy performance of homes across the country, including in Wirral South.

The Government is already investing £6.6 billion over this parliament on decarbonising heat and energy efficiency measures.

The additional £6 billion of new Government funding, announced in the Autumn Statement, will be made available from 2025 to 2028.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is taking steps to increase the number of green jobs in Wirral South.

The Government is supporting green jobs at a national level with the Green Jobs Delivery Group. This group has already supported 68,000 jobs nationally within the green economy. The Government is also working with the Green Jobs Delivery Group to explore how central Government, local Government and businesses can further support local areas to deliver a successful net zero labour market transition. Alongside this, BEIS is working with DfE and local partners to ensure green skills are considered through Local Skills Improvement Plans.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many projects have been completed in Wirral South through the Green Deal as of 24 November 2022.

BEIS estimates that in Wirral South constituency, six Green Deal projects are live, meaning all measures have been installed, but no projects have been completed, meaning that not all measures have been paid off. Data covers the period from May 2013 to October 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses that have had heat pumps installed in Wirral South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database shows that as of 31 October 2022, forty heat pump installations were registered in the Wirral South constituency.

The database does not include all heat pump installations, for example, those installed without Government funding support, such as in new buildings, which are not typically recorded in the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many homes in Wirral South have had solar power panels installed as of 31 October 2022.

At the end of October 2022, there were 698 domestic installations of solar panels recorded in Wirral South constituency.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many homes in Wirral South have had external wall insulation installed as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO)and Green Homes Grant (GHG) government schemes, around 500 cavity wall insulation measures, 400 loft insulation measures, 300 under floor insulation measures and 200 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Wirral South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses that have had under floor insulation installed in Wirral South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO)and Green Homes Grant (GHG) government schemes, around 500 cavity wall insulation measures, 400 loft insulation measures, 300 under floor insulation measures and 200 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Wirral South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses with lofts that had loft insulation installed in Wirral South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO)and Green Homes Grant (GHG) government schemes, around 500 cavity wall insulation measures, 400 loft insulation measures, 300 under floor insulation measures and 200 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Wirral South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses with cavity walls that have been insulated in Wirral South constituency as of 31 October 2022.

BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO)and Green Homes Grant (GHG) government schemes, around 500 cavity wall insulation measures, 400 loft insulation measures, 300 under floor insulation measures and 200 external wall insulation measures have been installed in Wirral South constituency.

Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the Government will publish the official text that was included in the proposed measure to allow creative professionals to travel and perform in both the UK and EU without work permits.

This Government recognises the importance of the UK’s thriving cultural industries, and that is why it pushed for ambitious arrangements to make it easier for performers and artists to perform across Europe as part of the negotiations on our future relationship with the EU.

This Government proposed to the EU that musicians, and their technical staff, be added to the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors in the entry and temporary stay chapter of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This would have allowed musicians and their staff to travel and perform in the EU more easily, without needing work-permits.

The UK’s legal texts reflected this position, as the EU has now acknowledged. These texts are confidential negotiating documents and it is not appropriate for them to be published.

10th Nov 2020
What assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on corporate social responsibility.

The Government welcomes the social responsibility that most businesses have shown in responding to the pandemic, including making their premises Covid-secure by using the Safer Working guidance led by Government. Groups such as Business in the Community are continuing to coordinate help for communities in need; and the CBI-backed Good Business Charter continues to promote corporate social responsibility.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
9th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the planned increase in the National Living Wage from £8.72 to £9.21 per hour in April 2021 on (a) incomes and (b) public finances.

The minimum wage rates are set on the expert and independent advice of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). This year, we asked the LPC to recommend the National Living Wage rate which should apply from April 2021 in order to reach two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, taking economic conditions into account.

The Government asks the Low Pay Commission to monitor the labour market and the impacts of the National Living Wage closely, advising on any emerging risks, to ensure that the lowest-paid workers continue to see pay rises without significant risks to their employment prospects.

We will announce the 2021 Minimum Wage rates in due course. A full Impact Assessment estimating the benefits and costs to employers and workers will be published alongside the legislation. We estimated that over 2 million workers benefitted from the increase earlier this year, which gave a full-time worker on the NLW an increase of £930 over the year.

5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what regulation is in place for the sale of cinema tickets within the UK.

The sale of cinema tickets in the UK is subject to the general consumer law with associated rights and protections. These are outlined on gov.uk here.

Furthermore, cinemas are required, under the Licensing Act 2003, to have secured a premises licence in order to screen films to the public. These licences include conditions requiring cinemas to restrict the admission of children to films in accordance with the film classification given by the Licensing Authority. In most circumstances, these are provided by the British Board of Film Classification (as the designated authority under the Video Recordings Act 1984), however the local Licensing Authority is ultimately responsible for issuing permission for a film to be shown in their locality. You can find out more about the requirements for showing films in public on gov.uk here.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
28th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the educational arts sector.

His Majesty’s Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people have a broad and balanced curriculum, of which creative education is a key part. We have a wide range of music and arts education programmes designed to improve access to the arts for all children, regardless of their background or where they live, and to maximise potential and unlock opportunity across the country. The Department for Education will continue to invest around £115 million per annum in cultural education over the next three years, through its music, arts, and heritage programmes.

The recently published Creative Industries Sector Vision highlighted our Creative Careers Promise, which will build on our educational arts offering to young people. As part of this, and as committed to in the Schools White Paper, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education are working together to develop a Cultural Education Plan. This plan aims to highlight the importance of high-quality cultural education in schools, promote the social value of cultural and creative education, outline and support career progression pathways, address skills gaps, and tackle disparities in opportunity and outcome. It will also connect relevant organisations delivering cultural learning opportunities and to support the cultural education workforce, including freelancers.

This week, the Government announced 22 independent experts who will sit on an advisory panel to support the development of the Cultural Education Plan. This panel, chaired by the crossbench peer Baroness Bull, comprises teachers, education leaders, and representatives from the performing arts, museums, heritage and youth sectors, and the creative industries.

As part of their work, Baroness Bull, members of the panel, and officials from both Departments are undertaking a series of around 50 listening exercises, working with organisations including the Confederation of School Trusts, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Youth Agency, Creative UK, the Royal Society of Arts, and Arts Council England’s Youth Advisory Board.

This is on top of existing Government initiatives to support the arts in education, including £25 million for musical instruments as committed to alongside the National Plan for Music Education, exploring opportunities for enrichment activities as part of the Government’s wraparound childcare provision, improving creative apprenticeships, and supporting the rollout of relevant T-Levels.

Additionally, we recognise the rich cultural learning experiences that children and young people in England access through the cultural sector, and we are pleased that 79% of organisations being funded through Arts Council England’s 2023–26 national portfolio are delivering activities directly to children and young people – a 20% increase from the last national portfolio.



John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
21st Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with local authorities on the provision of swimming facilities.

The Government does not hold data on individual swimming clubs, but Sport England data shows that the number of operational swimming pools on sites owned by Local Authorities in the North West in June 2013 was 239.

We regularly engage with Local Authorities and the Local Government Association (LGA) on the provision of swimming pools, particularly in light of the £63 million support package for swimming pools announced at the Budget. This package will help provide investment in energy efficiency measures to reduce future operating costs and make facilities sustainable in the long-term.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2023 to Question 189203, whether the Sport England data shows how many local authority swimming pools were open in the North West in June 2013.

The Government does not hold data on individual swimming clubs, but Sport England data shows that the number of operational swimming pools on sites owned by Local Authorities in the North West in June 2013 was 239.

We regularly engage with Local Authorities and the Local Government Association (LGA) on the provision of swimming pools, particularly in light of the £63 million support package for swimming pools announced at the Budget. This package will help provide investment in energy efficiency measures to reduce future operating costs and make facilities sustainable in the long-term.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken with media stakeholders to help ensure that the FIFA Women's World Cup will be show on television.

Last summer we witnessed a major success in women’s sport as our very own Lionesses beat Germany at Wembley to lift the UEFA European Championship trophy. The Women’s World Cup this summer will again shine a light on women’s football and we want to make the most of this opportunity.

The Secretary of State made clear the need for a solution to FIFA and a statement was also published in May signed by the Governments of the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy urging both parties to reach an agreement. I welcome the announcement made on 14 June that all 64 matches in this summer's women's World Cup will be broadcast live on the BBC and ITV so our nation can cheer on their heroes as they take on the world at the Women's World Cup this summer and continue to inspire future generations.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many council-run swimming pools were open in June (a) 2013 and (b) 2023.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to swimming pools, as swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the Government continues to encourage Local Authorities to support swimming facilities.

At the Budget, we announced a dedicated £63 million support package for swimming pools, which is targeted at addressing cost pressures facing public swimming pool providers. It will also help provide investment in energy efficiency measures to reduce future operating costs and make facilities sustainable in the long-term. Sport England continues to support swimming, having invested over £12 million in swimming and diving projects since April 2019.

While the Government does not hold data on individual swimming clubs, data held by Sport England shows that in the North West, in June 2019, there were 228 Local Authority swimming pools, compared with 224 in June 2023.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of swimming clubs in the North West that have had their home training pool closed down since December 2019.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to swimming pools, as swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the Government continues to encourage Local Authorities to support swimming facilities.

At the Budget, we announced a dedicated £63 million support package for swimming pools, which is targeted at addressing cost pressures facing public swimming pool providers. It will also help provide investment in energy efficiency measures to reduce future operating costs and make facilities sustainable in the long-term. Sport England continues to support swimming, having invested over £12 million in swimming and diving projects since April 2019.

While the Government does not hold data on individual swimming clubs, data held by Sport England shows that in the North West, in June 2019, there were 228 Local Authority swimming pools, compared with 224 in June 2023.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many council-run swimming pools were open in the North West in (a) December 2019 and (b) June 2023.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to swimming pools, as swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the Government continues to encourage Local Authorities to support swimming facilities.

At the Budget, we announced a dedicated £63 million support package for swimming pools, which is targeted at addressing cost pressures facing public swimming pool providers. It will also help provide investment in energy efficiency measures to reduce future operating costs and make facilities sustainable in the long-term. Sport England continues to support swimming, having invested over £12 million in swimming and diving projects since April 2019.

While the Government does not hold data on individual swimming clubs, data held by Sport England shows that in the North West, in June 2019, there were 228 Local Authority swimming pools, compared with 224 in June 2023.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what her timetable of future meetings with the Chair of the Future of Women's Football Review is; and if she will publish regular updates on those meetings.

This Government is a staunch supporter of women’s football and the Future of Women’s Football Review is the next step in driving forward momentum for women’s football in this country.

Officials from the Department form the secretariat of the Review alongside the FA. Officials are in near daily contact with the Chair of the Review, and speak at least twice weekly with the Chair to discuss progress and analyse evidence. To date officials have collaborated with the Chair on nine individual stakeholder evidence sessions, a roundtable with Women’s Super League Clubs, and a roundtable with Women’s Championship Clubs. Officials will work with the Chair on a further eight stakeholder roundtables covering the key themes of the review over the next two weeks.

Ministerial engagement will take place in tandem with planned stakeholder roundtables over the coming weeks. The results of the Review will be published in the Chair’s final report, which will be published in spring 2023.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many times (a) she and (b) officials from her Department have had discussions with the Chair of the Future of Women's Football Review since the Chair's appointment.

This Government is a staunch supporter of women’s football and the Future of Women’s Football Review is the next step in driving forward momentum for women’s football in this country.

Officials from the Department form the secretariat of the Review alongside the FA. Officials are in near daily contact with the Chair of the Review, and speak at least twice weekly with the Chair to discuss progress and analyse evidence. To date officials have collaborated with the Chair on nine individual stakeholder evidence sessions, a roundtable with Women’s Super League Clubs, and a roundtable with Women’s Championship Clubs. Officials will work with the Chair on a further eight stakeholder roundtables covering the key themes of the review over the next two weeks.

Ministerial engagement will take place in tandem with planned stakeholder roundtables over the coming weeks. The results of the Review will be published in the Chair’s final report, which will be published in spring 2023.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to increase support to women's football, following the success of the lionesses at Euro 2022 and the open letter the Lionesses wrote to the Prime Minister in August 2022.

We are determined to support more women and girls to get active and football is the most popular team sport in terms of participation for women and girls.

The Lionesses’ fantastic performance at the 2022 Women’s Euros has truly inspired the nation with a record breaking crowd of over 87,000 attending the final and 23.3m UK viewers tuning into the BBC’s coverage. It is essential that we take the opportunity to capitalise on and build on the success and legacy of the tournament and the team to secure a long lasting and sustainable future for the women’s game.

To raise the profile of facilities in the UK, and to commemorate the Lionesses, the Football Foundation is working with facility owners to name pitches/facilities in towns and cities that have a strong link to each tournament winning squad member. We will also continue to invest in grassroots sport to bring on the next generation of Lionesses and continue to work with the Department for Education to ensure girls have equal access to sports. The Prime Minister and the DCMS Secretary of State were delighted to meet the Lionesses earlier this month who are extraordinary ambassadors for sport. They reconfirmed their commitment to reviewing the barriers to girls accessing two hours of PE.

The recently announced Women’s Football Review will look at how to deliver bold and sustainable growth of the women’s game at elite and grassroots level. We would encourage all interested stakeholders and organisations to come forward and contribute views to Karen Carney’s review. It is vital that we hear from a variety of voices across the game.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the adequacy of supply of covid-19 lateral flow tests; and what assessment he has made of whether there will be adequate supplies of those tests to enable planned summer events to go ahead safely.

Last year we quickly established one of the largest asymptomatic testing programmes in the world. We have now conducted over 90m lateral flow tests in England alone, finding nearly 200k cases. Home testing has been confirmed for some Events Research Programme (ERP) pilots only, and is not indicative of Step 4 policy decisions. ERP learnings will feed into wider policy making on step 4, and further details on broader testing policy will be released in due course. Current asymptomatic testing is available until 31 July, with further decisions on extending this to be taken in line with Step 4 of the Prime Minister's roadmap.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the financial situation of companies in the live events industry supply chain due to the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

DCMS continues to work closely with other government departments, academic institutions and stakeholders to review evidence on the impact of ongoing restrictions within the live events industries.

Most of the financial support schemes do not end until September or after, in order to provide continuity and certainty for businesses.

Throughout this pandemic there has been over £400 billion of economic support, one of the most generous and comprehensive packages in the world.

Although there is no current plan to make a statement on financial situations of individual sectors/settings, our engagements have helped us to understand both the nature and scale of the impact that this particular industry has faced.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a list all ministers, including the Prime Minister who have received a copy of the Events Research Programme results.

The Events Research Programme report was published on Friday 25 June and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/events-research-programme-phase-i-findings

The Events Research Programme is a joint programme between DCMS, DHSC, and BEIS overseen by an industry-led steering group co-chaired by Sir Nicholas Hytner and David Ross. Evidence from the pilot events is considered by the group to make recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for DCMS, BEIS and DHSC on how restrictions could be safely lifted at Step 4 of the Roadmap.

The report has been subject to a comprehensive and rigorous coordination and approval process across departments, academic institutions and ERP governance boards, and takes into account the latest public health data.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the results of the Events Research Programme.

The Events Research Programme report was published on Friday 25 June and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/events-research-programme-phase-i-findings

The Events Research Programme is a joint programme between DCMS, DHSC, and BEIS overseen by an industry-led steering group co-chaired by Sir Nicholas Hytner and David Ross. Evidence from the pilot events is considered by the group to make recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for DCMS, BEIS and DHSC on how restrictions could be safely lifted at Step 4 of the Roadmap.

The report has been subject to a comprehensive and rigorous coordination and approval process across departments, academic institutions and ERP governance boards, and takes into account the latest public health data.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish all (a) economic and (b) other assessments of the effect of not allowing large events during the covid-19 outbreak in summer 2021.

We recognise the challenging times facing all sectors currently, and continue to support them in line with the prime minister's roadmap to the full reopening of the economy.

Although we have no plans currently to publish an assessment, the Department has been working closely with stakeholders across large event settings throughout the pandemic, and this has helped us to understand both the nature and the scale of the impact this sector has faced.

Step 4 of The Prime Minister's roadmap allows large events to go ahead in Summer 2021 without restrictions. The roadmap sets out a cautious and gradual approach - led by data, not dates - and while we know there may be loss of some business as a result of the delay to step 4, public health must remain the government’s top priority.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
26th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Answer of 26 April 2021 to Question 185358 on the National Leisure Recovery Fund, when the early information from the Government's data capture system will be published.

The data capture system for the National Leisure Recovery Fund, Moving Communities, is now fully operational. The platform opened for data submissions at the start of April with 280 Local Authorities relating to c.1100 leisure facilities across England.


A series of headline national statistics will be released over the coming weeks with a fuller report available at the end of June. Local Authorities and the leisure service providers have been able to access their local data and interrogate through the filtering and dashboards available on the platform since the beginning of May.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure that the UK is a world leader in legislation on streaming and (b) increase the revenues artists receive from their streamed music.

The Government recognises that it is important that artists are fairly remunerated for their work. We are aware of the concerns that have been raised recently with regards to artists’ revenue from music streaming. The Government welcomes the DCMS Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming, and we have provided evidence to inform the inquiry. We look forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations, which we will respond to.

We will continue to encourage the ongoing dialogue between music creators, record labels, and streaming services on this issue. The Government has funded a 12-month industry-led research project investigating the flow of money from streaming to creators which is due to report this summer.

24th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the 20 April 2021 letter to the Prime Minister signed by over 150 artists on ensuring that artists receive a greater share of revenue from the streaming of their music; and if he will meet with artists to discuss that letter.

The Government has not made a specific assessment of the implications of what was set out in the letter from artists to the Prime Minister, but we are considering the issues relating to music streaming more generally.

We welcome the DCMS Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming, and have provided evidence to inform the inquiry. We look forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations, which we will respond to. We will also be happy to consider any meeting requests from interested stakeholders as appropriate.

The Government has funded a 12-month industry-led research project investigating the flow of money from streaming to creators which is due to report this summer. We will continue to encourage the ongoing dialogue between music creators, record labels, and streaming services on this issue.

24th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that artists receive a greater share of revenue from the streaming of their music.

The Government recognises that it is important that artists are fairly remunerated for their work. We are aware of the concerns that have been raised recently about artists’ revenue from music streaming.

We welcome the DCMS Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming, and have provided evidence to inform the inquiry. We look forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations, which we will respond to.

The Government has funded a 12-month industry-led research project investigating the flow of money from streaming to creators which is due to report this summer. We will continue to encourage the ongoing dialogue between music creators, record labels, and streaming services on this issue.

26th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings have taken place between (a) the Prime Minister and his officials and (b) Ministers and officials in his Department and representatives of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City football clubs.

The Department continuously meets with a range of DCMS stakeholders to discuss matters, including the return of fans. However, neither Ministers nor officials met with representatives of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City football clubs in advance of the Super League announcement.

The full list of Ministerial meetings can be found on gov.uk.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with Sport England on the effectiveness of their Tackling Inequalities Fund; and what steps he is taking to support Sport England to ensure that inequalities are tackled in sport and physical activity.

The Government is committed to tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity. Our strategy ‘Sporting Future’ sets out a clear ambition to increase levels of physical activity amongst under-represented groups. We are working closely with Sport England, DCMS’s arm’s length body for grassroots sport in England, to ensure that inequalities are being tackled effectively.

The £20 million Tackling Inequalities Fund (TIF) is an important part of the £270 million support package that Sport England has committed to directly reduce the negative impact COVID 19 and the widening of inequalities in sport and physical activity.

The fund is a focused approach to increasing physical activity for four under-represented groups: lower socio-economic groups, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, disabled people, and people with long-term health conditions. Currently, £13.5 million has been awarded, and £9.7m of this has already reached community organisations and groups directly through 42 Active Partnerships and 30 national partners across the country. As a result there are over 2,800 projects actively being delivered by trusted partners closer to the communities that have previously been unserved by more traditional delivery structures.

Tackling inequalities is also at the heart of Sport England’s recently launched new ten year strategy, ‘Uniting the Movement’, reinforcing their commitment to diversifying participation. DCMS will continue to work closely with Sport England to ensure that inequalities are addressed and tackled in sport and physical activity.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 April 2021 to Question 174112, what data his Department holds on the effect of the National Leisure Recovery Fund on the rate of leisure centre closures since that funding was announced.

The National Leisure Recovery Fund sought to support eligible public sector leisure centres to reopen to the public, giving the sport and physical activity sector the best chance of recovery to a position of sustainable operation over the medium term. It was delivered in conjunction with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Sport England.

A total of £100 million was available as a biddable fund to eligible local authorities in England, which was allocated in a single funding round. Eligible local authorities include: those in England who hold responsibility for the provision of leisure services, those who have outsourced their leisure provision to an external body to and those whose outsourced leisure arrangements have ended since 20 March 2020 and services are now delivered as an in-house function. This is in addition to the wider financial support provided to councils throughout the pandemic.

As part of the National Leisure Recovery Fund, the government has set up a data capture system to show how the fund has supported the reopening of these vital community assets and the impact on the rate of participation across Local Authorities. Early information will be available at the end of the month and will help to inform future government policy in this space.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of access to green spaces on the equality of access to sport.

Sports and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health, and are a vital weapon against coronavirus. That’s why we have made sure that people can exercise throughout the national restrictions.

We know that high quality multi-use local green spaces can play a key role as sporting venues and as alternative settings for sport and healthy activity. Last month Sport England published its new strategy Uniting the Movement which sets out their 10 year vision to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. A key part of the strategy is creating and protecting the local places and spaces that make it easier for people to be active including encouraging walking and cycling.

Last year, Public Health England published Improving Access to Greenspace. The report highlights the strong evidence that regular physical activity supports both individual and community outcomes such as increasing educational attainment, improving self-esteem and reducing social isolation and that greenspace can support higher levels of physical activity.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support the Sport England Tackling Inequalities Fund to help tackle inequality in sport.

The Government is committed to tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity. Our strategy ‘Sporting Future’ sets out a clear ambition to increase levels of physical activity amongst under-represented groups, working closely with the sector to achieve this. The Tackling Inequalities Fund is an important part of the £270 million support package that Sport England, DCMS’s arm’s length body for grassroots sport in England, has committed to directly support community sport clubs and exercise centres through COVID-19.

The £20 million Tackling Inequalities Fund aims to reduce the disproportionately negative impact of the pandemic on physical activity levels for four groups: lower socio-economic groups, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, disabled people, and people with long-term health conditions. Currently, £13.5 million has been awarded to partners, funding over 2,800 projects being delivered through 43 Active Partnerships and 30 national partners across the country.

Sport England’s recently launched new ten year strategy, Uniting the Movement, also reinforces their commitment to diversifying participation and tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity. DCMS will continue to work closely with Sport England to ensure that inequalities are addressed and tackled in sport and physical activity.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government announces allocation of £100 million to support recovery of leisure centres, published on 20 March 2021, what steps he has taken to ensure that the process of allocating recovery funding is (a) equitable and (b) transparent.

The National Leisure Recovery Fund sought to support eligible public sector leisure centres to reopen to the public, giving the sport and physical activity sector the best chance of recovery to a position of sustainable operation over the medium term.

A total of £100 million was available as a biddable fund to eligible local authorities in England, which was allocated in a single funding round. Eligible local authorities include: those in England who hold responsibility for the provision of leisure services, those who have outsourced their leisure provision to an external body to and those whose outsourced leisure arrangements have ended since 20 March 2020 and services are now delivered as an in-house function. This is in addition to the wider financial support provided to councils throughout the pandemic.

To help ensure an equitable distribution of the National Leisure Recovery Fund, a Notional Funding Allocation was calculated for each eligible local authority and funding awards were only made in excess of the Notional Funding Allocation in the most exceptional circumstances. The basis of the Notional Funding Allocation is a per capita allocation. This has then been adjusted to take into consideration physical activity levels, number of facilities and health outcome indicators.

Government has worked closely with the Local Government Association (LGA), ukactive, the District Councils' Network, Community Leisure UK, Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association and others to make sure the application and funding process is as fast and simple as possible.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
23rd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government announces allocation of £100 million to support recovery of leisure centres, published on 20 March 2021, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of that funding on trends in the level of leisure centre closures; and if he will make a statement.

The National Leisure Recovery Fund sought to support eligible public sector leisure centres to reopen to the public, giving the sport and physical activity sector the best chance of recovery to a position of sustainable operation over the medium term.

A total of £100 million was available as a biddable fund to eligible local authorities in England, which was allocated in a single funding round. Eligible local authorities include: those in England who hold responsibility for the provision of leisure services, those who have outsourced their leisure provision to an external body to and those whose outsourced leisure arrangements have ended since 20 March 2020 and services are now delivered as an in-house function. This is in addition to the wider financial support provided to councils throughout the pandemic.

To help ensure an equitable distribution of the National Leisure Recovery Fund, a Notional Funding Allocation was calculated for each eligible local authority and funding awards were only made in excess of the Notional Funding Allocation in the most exceptional circumstances. The basis of the Notional Funding Allocation is a per capita allocation. This has then been adjusted to take into consideration physical activity levels, number of facilities and health outcome indicators.

Government has worked closely with the Local Government Association (LGA), ukactive, the District Councils' Network, Community Leisure UK, Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association and others to make sure the application and funding process is as fast and simple as possible.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has made a recent assessment of the effect on people's wellbeing of (a) community outreach aspects and (b) other (i) non-sporting and (ii) non-physical benefits of sport.

Sports and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health and have been shown to treat, manage and prevent a range of conditions including heart disease, cancers, diabetes, stress, depression or anxiety. It can also bring communities together and tackle issues such as loneliness.

Sport England’s Active Lives Adult and Children surveys provide information not only on activity levels but also on social outcomes such as physical and mental wellbeing too. The latest reports can be found here.

In September last year, Sport England published research (undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University) on the social impact and the economic importance of sport and physical activity in England. The findings of this research show that for every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity in England, an economic and social return on investment of £3.91 is generated. In addition, the combined economic and social value (SROI) of taking part in community sport and physical activity in England in 2017/2018 was £85.5 billion.

Furthermore, last month Sport England published its new strategy Uniting the Movement which sets out their 10 year vision to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. The strategy seeks to tackle the inequalities we have seen in sport and physical activity and provide opportunities to people and communities that have traditionally been left behind, helping to remove barriers to activity.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) working groups, (b) committees and (c) other forums there are in his Department for sector representatives of the creative industries to raise their representations on the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) engages regularly with representatives of the creative industries on the Covid-19 response, including on economic support and public health policy and guidance. This includes engagement through the working groups on Entertainment and Events and on Broadcasting, Film and Production, which were established with the DCMS Secretary of State’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce.

In addition, DCMS engages with creative industries stakeholders through roundtables and other meetings chaired by ministers, and ongoing, frequent engagement by DCMS officials. DCMS will continue to collaborate with creative industries organisations on the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

20th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) working groups, (b) committees and (c) other forums there are in his Department for consultation with representatives of the creative industries on the Government’s approach to the future relationship with the EU.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has engaged with the creative sectors extensively throughout negotiations with the EU and since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.


At both a ministerial and official level, we hold roundtables to engage with the creative sectors on EU Exit and the UK-EU future relationship. We also engage directly with stakeholders together with Arm's-Length Bodies, on matters relating to EU Exit.

We are committed to continuing our close dialogue with the sectors to ensure they continue to have the support they need to navigate the changes to their ways of working resulting from the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

20th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he last held discussions with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office on work permits for creative workers after the end of the transition period.

Ministers have regular discussions with their Cabinet Colleagues on a wide range of issues, including cross-border mobility with the EU for musicians and creative workers.

The Secretary of State had discussions with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster this week on the issues faced by creative workers and possible options to support the sectors.

The Government recognises the importance of touring for our world-leading cultural and creative sectors. We have been engaging extensively with the industry to assess impact and further understandings of new requirements for working in the EU. The Secretary of State held a very productive meeting with representatives from across the creative and cultural industries on Wednesday 20th January. Going forward, we are committed to continuing our close dialogue with the sector to ensure they have the support they need to thrive.

3rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing an elite definition for professionals working in film and television production similar to that used for sports athletes returning to training.

Definitions for professionals working in film and television production have been introduced in order to implement the limited exemption to the quarantine regime for the cast and crew of qualifying productions.

The Government is committed to supporting the continued production of film and television content during the ongoing Covid pandemic. As part of the new Health Protection Regulations, the Government has stated that people who cannot work from home should go to their place of work. This means that even in these circumstances film and television production can continue in line with any additional guidance provided. The Government has supported the sector to develop guidance to allow productions to operate safely, and introduced a limited exemption to the quarantine regime for the cast and crew of qualifying productions, in order to restart those productions which rely on international talent.

7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the economic benefits that football clubs can bring to the towns in which they are located throughout the UK.

Football clubs are the bedrock of our local communities. Many public studies demonstrate the significant economic benefit that football clubs bring to towns across the country. These include EY’s Economic and Social Impact Assessment which estimates that the Premier League alone contributes £7.6bn to the UK's Gross Domestic Product.

That is why we have provided unprecedented support to businesses through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support, which many football clubs have benefited from. Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund has also provided £210 million directly to support community sport clubs and exercise centres through this pandemic.

We have been clear that we expect the game - where it can at the top tiers - to support itself. The Government is focusing its support on those in the sector most in need as a result of the decision not to readmit spectators to stadia from 1 October. We therefore provided the National League with assurances that financial support from the Government will be forthcoming so they could start their season on 3rd October.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what international comparative assessment the Government made of permitting spectators back into football stadiums during the covid-19 pandemic when preparing UK Government guidance on that matter.

On 22 September it was announced that all sports pilot events currently ongoing would be paused with immediate effect, due to the sharp upward trajectory of Covid-19 cases nationally. A?s set out in our Roadmap, sports events pilots, and the full return of fans to stadia would only ever take place when it was safe to do so in this country.

We are committed to getting spectators back into stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to work closely with a whole range of sports to understand the latest thinking that might allow spectators to return. This includes the creation of a new Sports Technology Innovation Working Group of sporting bodies and health experts to analyse new technologies which might support this, and which will consider international best practice. This will supplement the draft government guidance, and the SGSA supplementary guidance to their Green Guide, which has been internationally welcomed and is now also available in French and Spanish translations.

If transmission rates decrease then we will of course take the opportunity to look again at getting spectators back into stadiums and remain mindful of international efforts to do the same

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to keep under assessment the potential merits of permitting spectators back into football stadiums during the covid-19 outbreak.

On 22 September it was announced that all sports pilot events currently ongoing would be paused with immediate effect, due to the sharp upward trajectory of Covid-19 cases nationally. A?s set out in our Roadmap, sports events pilots, and the full return of fans to stadia would only ever take place when it was safe to do so in this country.

We are committed to getting spectators back into stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to work closely with a whole range of sports to understand the latest thinking that might allow spectators to return. This includes the creation of a new Sports Technology Innovation Working Group of sporting bodies and health experts to analyse new technologies which might support this, and which will consider international best practice. This will supplement the draft government guidance, and the SGSA supplementary guidance to their Green Guide, which has been internationally welcomed and is now also available in French and Spanish translations.

If transmission rates decrease then we will of course take the opportunity to look again at getting spectators back into stadiums and remain mindful of international efforts to do the same

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to roll out an effective covid-19 track and trace system for cultural and sporting events.

Our performing arts and sport guidance makes clear the need for organisers of cultural and sporting events to adhere to government requirements around the NHS Test and Trace system.

Organisers of events should assist the NHS Test and Trace service by keeping a temporary record of spectators for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for their business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on musicians working in EU countries of the end of the transition period.

The Government is continuing to engage with business and industry as we approach the end of the transition period and is working to ensure freelancers, organisations and businesses know what they need to do to prepare.

On 1st September 2020, the Government launched a comprehensive communications campaign to help the UK prepare for the end of the transition period. This includes guidance on customs and mobility procedures important to professionals in the live music industry, including freelance musicians and touring professionals. My department will continue to engage with the creative industries to understand further the specific issues they may face.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to issue guidance for musicians with gigs booked in the EU after the end of the transition period in January 2021.

The Government is continuing to engage with business and industry as we approach the end of the transition period and is working to ensure freelancers, organisations and businesses know what they need to do to prepare.

On 1st September 2020, the Government launched a comprehensive communications campaign to help the UK prepare for the end of the transition period. This includes guidance on customs and mobility procedures important to professionals in the live music industry, including freelance musicians and touring professionals. My department will continue to engage with the creative industries to understand further the specific issues they may face.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that freelance musicians working in EU countries are prepared for the scenario of the UK leaving the EU without a deal in January 2021.

The Government is continuing to engage with business and industry as we approach the end of the transition period and is working to ensure freelancers, organisations and businesses know what they need to do to prepare.

On 1st September 2020, the Government launched a comprehensive communications campaign to help the UK prepare for the end of the transition period. This includes guidance on customs and mobility procedures important to professionals in the live music industry, including freelance musicians and touring professionals. My department will continue to engage with the creative industries to understand further the specific issues they may face.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will publish up-to-date guidance on preparing for a no-deal scenario for freelance workers in the creative industries working in the EU and the UK.

The Government is continuing to engage with business and industry as we approach the end of the transition period and is working to ensure freelancers, organisations and businesses know what they need to do to prepare.

On 1st September 2020, the Government launched a comprehensive communications campaign to help the UK prepare for the end of the transition period. This includes guidance on customs and mobility procedures important to professionals in the live music industry, including freelance musicians and touring professionals. My department will continue to engage with the creative industries to understand further the specific issues they may face.

18th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has in place to ensure that musicians working overseas are able to fulfill booked gigs in Europe after the transition period ends in January 2021.

DCMS Ministers and officials continue to engage extensively with representatives from across the cultural sector, including with musicians and music sector representative bodies, on the impact of the end of the transition period on musicians working in EU countries.

Over the coming months, as the transition period concludes, and beyond we will maintain our close dialogue with the sector to assess the challenges and support the opportunities that will arise as we enter into to new trading relationships with Europe and the rest of the world.

7th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on safety of allowing fans to return to watch non-league football clubs since the Football Association published guidance on the safe return of grassroots football on 18 July 2020.

On 18th August, the Government amended its guidance to provide extra clarification for organisers of non-elite sports events to help them manage and admit spectators safely, adhering to social distancing.

This includes having a named person with responsibility for ensuring adherence with government guidelines and ensuring the facility is COVID-19 secure. This person should carry out and publish a risk assessment for the activity which limits the number of spectators and focuses on the need to maintain social distancing on arrival, for the duration of the activity, and on departure.

The Government will continue to monitor the admittance of spectators and the wider prevailing public health factors closely.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the financial effect of the covid-19 outbreak on non-league football clubs.

Football clubs form a vital part of our local communities and many have a great history. It is vital that they are protected during these difficult times.

The Government has provided unprecedented support to businesses throughout this period, including a comprehensive and sizable package of direct fiscal support for business through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support. Many football clubs have benefited from these measures.

The Government is in regular dialogue with the football authorities to understand their financial position - but has been absolutely clear that it expects football to look first at how it can support itself through these difficult times.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate the Government has made of the number of spectators that will return to sporting events as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased as part of planning to enable the safe resumption of spectator sports.

The Government continues to liaise closely with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and sporting bodies whilst developing its guidance to support the safe return of spectators to stadia more widely from October 1st. As announced by the Prime Minister, this remains subject to successful pilots events, which will now be capped at 1,000 people, and wider prevailing public health factors.

Capacity limits and ticketing processes will vary based on individual venues and events. Pilots will still be required to receive all relevant local authorisations including their local Safety Advisory Group. Locations and attendance levels may change depending on the local Covid situation. Maximum safe capacity, as a consequence of social distancing guidance, can be calculated through the SGSA’s supplementary guidance to their Green Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a timetable for the reopening of indoor leisure facilities and gyms during the covid-19 outbreak.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

The Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so including indoor gyms and sports centres. The Sport Working Group, led by myself, feeds into the Secretary of State’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce and ensures strong sector and expert support for the co-development of guidelines and will help leisure facilities become Covid-secure and re-open as early as possible in July.

As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who he has had discussions with in the sports sector on the reopening of indoor leisure facilities and gyms during the covid-19 outbreak.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

The Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so including indoor gyms and sports centres. The Sport Working Group, led by myself, feeds into the Secretary of State’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce and ensures strong sector and expert support for the co-development of guidelines and will help leisure facilities become Covid-secure and re-open as early as possible in July.

As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions officials of his Department had with representatives of gyms and indoor leisure facilities on the decision not to re-open those facilities on 4 July 2020 as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

The Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so including indoor gyms and sports centres. The Sport Working Group, led by myself, feeds into the Secretary of State’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce and ensures strong sector and expert support for the co-development of guidelines and will help leisure facilities become Covid-secure and re-open as early as possible in July.

As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on what scientific evidence his Department based its decision to delay the re-opening of indoor leisure facilities as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.

The Government is committed to reopening facilities as soon as it is safe to do so including indoor gyms and sports centres. The Sport Working Group, led by myself, feeds into the Secretary of State’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce and ensures strong sector and expert support for the co-development of guidelines and will help leisure facilities become Covid-secure and re-open as early as possible in July.

As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity safely.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
9th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government plans to allocate £550 million to grassroots football.

The Government has committed to investing an additional £550m into grassroots football facilities over the next 10 years. This will bring the government’s total investment over that period to £730m, and will support the bid for the 2030 Men’s FIFA Football World Cup.

The FA has produced, in partnership with the Premier League, Sport England and DCMS, the 'National Football Facilities Strategy' (NFSS), which is a coherent overarching shared strategy for capital investment in football over the next ten years.

As part of the NFFS, a 'Local Football Facilities Plan' is being produced for every Local Authority across the country to create a tailored local investment plan.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions the Government has had with partners of the Football Foundation on that organisation's plans for a 25-year programme to deliver new astroturf and grass pitches across the country.

The Government is committed to supporting grassroots football. The established partnership with the Football Association and the Premier League sees a combined £70m go to new facilities delivered by the Football Foundation. All funding parties are represented on the Football Foundation board.

Government has committed to investing a further £550m into grassroots football facilities over the next 10 years to support plans to bid for the 2030 Men’s FIFA Football World Cup.

The FA has produced, in partnership with the Premier League, Sport England and DCMS, the 'National Football Facilities Strategy' (NFSS), which is a coherent overarching shared strategy for capital investment in football over the next ten years. This sets out the football facility requirements across the country and the intention to invest in 20,000 improved grass pitches and 1,000 3G facilities.

The Foundation has coverage across the whole country with funding reaching 98% of all local authorities and boroughs in England so far. As part of the NFFS, a 'Local Football Facilities Plan' is being produced for every Local Authority across the country to create a tailored local investment plan. This will help the Football Foundation prioritise its investment most efficiently and effectively.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what methodology the Government plans to use to assess which areas of the country would most benefit from funding in grassroots football as part of the pledge to spend £550 million revamping community football pitches.

The Government is committed to supporting grassroots football. The established partnership with the Football Association and the Premier League sees a combined £70m go to new facilities delivered by the Football Foundation. All funding parties are represented on the Football Foundation board.

Government has committed to investing a further £550m into grassroots football facilities over the next 10 years to support plans to bid for the 2030 Men’s FIFA Football World Cup.

The FA has produced, in partnership with the Premier League, Sport England and DCMS, the 'National Football Facilities Strategy' (NFSS), which is a coherent overarching shared strategy for capital investment in football over the next ten years. This sets out the football facility requirements across the country and the intention to invest in 20,000 improved grass pitches and 1,000 3G facilities.

The Foundation has coverage across the whole country with funding reaching 98% of all local authorities and boroughs in England so far. As part of the NFFS, a 'Local Football Facilities Plan' is being produced for every Local Authority across the country to create a tailored local investment plan. This will help the Football Foundation prioritise its investment most efficiently and effectively.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what process the Government is using to provide sporting organisations overseeing elite sports with up to date medical advice in relation to covid-19; and what discussions the Government is having with those organisations on the medical advice they receive.

In addition to publicly available Government advice/guidance, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is holding weekly meetings with senior medical officials and sport representatives to discuss key issues around Covid-19 and communicates regularly with stakeholders across the sporting sector to share the latest advice. We will maintain these discussions as elite sport develops its plans to retain training and to restart competition.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many rugby league clubs have (a) applied for and (b) received funding from Government backed business support loans.

The Government announced on 30 April that the Rugby Football League (RFL) will receive an emergency loan of £16 million to safeguard the immediate future of the sport for the communities it serves.

The Government recognises the impact that covid-19 is having on the sporting sector. The Chancellor has announced an unprecedented package of measures to help businesses in this period, including £330 billion worth of government-backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK.

Those support measures, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and Self-Employed Income Support Scheme are open to businesses across the UK and in every sector, including Sport.

In addition, Sport England, has also announced £195 million of funding to help sport and physical activity organisations deal with the short and long term effects of the pandemic.

The RFL is fully engaged with the process and is ensuring that the sport as a whole is aware of the assistance available and how to access support. It is a matter for individual clubs to pursue the support appropriate for their situation.

We know this is a challenging period for all sports and we continue to work closely with the whole sector to understand the issues they face and how we can best support them through this difficult time.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions officials in his Department have had with representatives of sporting organisations on the provision of financial support from the Government to protect sports clubs from the effect of the covid-19 outbreak.

I am having regular discussions with sector and industry bodies to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sport and how we can provide support. This includes chairing a fortnightly meeting with over 25 sporting organisations. Sport England, the arms-length body of government responsible for growing and developing grassroots sport, have been involved in these discussions. In addition to this, my officials maintain daily contact with the sector.

The Chancellor has already announced a host of measures to help businesses, with £330 billion worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK. In addition, Sport England, has also announced £195 million of funding to help sport and physical activity organisations deal with the short and long term effects of the pandemic.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government has assessed the health risks of (a) cricket and (b) other non-contact sports resuming in the summer at grassroots level.

The government is in regular contact with representatives of sports, including cricket, to discuss both the impact of Covid-19 on sports and to explore how and when grassroots sport can safely resume once lockdown restrictions start to ease. The government has asked individual sports to consider the steps that would need to be taken, and the conditions that would need to be met, for their activity to resume.

The government has been clear that any return to sport will need to be consistent with existing guidelines on public health and managed in a way that minimises risk.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many cricket clubs have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded business support grant funding from the Government during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government recognises the impact that covid-19 is having on the sporting sector. The Chancellor has announced an unprecedented package of measures to help businesses in this period, including £330 billion worth of government-backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and Self-Employed Income Support Scheme support measures are open to businesses across the UK and in every sector, including Sport.

In addition, Sport England, has also announced £195 million of funding to help sport and physical activity organisations deal with the short and long term effects of the pandemic.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is fully engaged with the process and is ensuring that the sport as a whole is aware of the assistance available and how to access support. It is a matter for individual clubs to pursue the support appropriate for their situation.

We know this is a challenging period for all sports and we continue to work closely with the whole sector to understand the issues they face and how we can best support them through this difficult time.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the long-term financial effects of the covid-19 outbreak on lower league football clubs.

Football clubs form an integral part of this country and it is important they are given as much support as possible during these difficult times.

In light of this, the Government announced a comprehensive and sizable package of direct fiscal support for business through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support.

It is also vital that the football community comes together at this time, and I welcomed the Premier League announcement to advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and National League to help clubs throughout the football pyramid. The EFL has also announced a £50m relief fund to help their clubs enduring immediate cash flow problems because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Government will continue to liaise closely with all the football authorities to further understand the difficulties clubs are experiencing.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate the Government has made of the financial losses incurred by football clubs as a result of cancelled matches due to covid-19 outbreak.

Tackling the covid-19 outbreak is the Government’s top priority, and unfortunately the actions taken to do so have meant that sports events have had to be postponed or cancelled. We are in regular contact with the sport sector - including football clubs - on the financial consequences of this for organisations.

The Government has announced a comprehensive and sizable package of direct fiscal support for business through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support.

It is also vital that the football community comes together at this time, and I welcomed the Premier League announcement to advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and National League to help clubs throughout the football pyramid.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government has taken to support the sporting sector during the covid-19 emergency.

We recognise the impact that covid-19 is having on the sport sector, and we are continuing to engage with sporting organisations to understand how it is affecting them and provide support.

The Chancellor has already announced a host of measures to help businesses, with £330 billion worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK. In addition, our national sports council, Sport England, has also announced £195 million of funding to help sport and physical activity organisations deal with the short and long term effects of the pandemic.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2023 to Question 197775 on Universities: Student Wastage, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for her policies of the withdrawal rate from higher education providers in England remaining above 15,000 since 2018/19.

The government wants to make sure that all students, regardless of background or circumstances, see a positive return on their significant investment in higher education (HE). This means they must achieve good quality qualifications, which equip them with the skills they need to achieve their potential.

Students are more likely to continue and complete their courses if they are of high quality. On 17July, we announced a package of reforms aimed at improving the quality of HE provision across the sector. The Prime Minister said then, and in his speech to the Conservative Party Conference, that the government will stop universities offering low value “rip-off degrees”. The OfS has already introduced a more rigorous and effective quality regime, including new minimum thresholds for student outcomes and has begun a new programme of investigations, the first reports of which were published on 12 September. Further information is available at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/ofs-publishes-first-reports-of-quality-assessment-visits/.

The department intends to ask the OfS to limit student recruitment where a provider is found to have breached student outcomes requirements, and would like to see consideration of future earnings made part of the regulatory regime.

The government is also focused on supporting students in practical ways. We have made £276 million of student premium and mental health funding available for the 2023/24 academic year to support successful outcomes for students, including for disadvantaged students. We have frozen the maximum level of tuition fees and we are trying to minimise the debt burdens for graduates wherever we can.

Those students struggling with their mental health can access Student Space, a mental health and wellbeing hub funded with £3.6m by OfS and the HE Funding Council Wales. This resource provides a dedicated online platform for students providing vital mental health and wellbeing resources. Over 450,000 students have accessed the platforms resources since its launch in August 2020.

We have asked the OfS to distribute £15 million of funding to providers in 2023/24 to support student mental health, including providing additional support for transitions from school/college to university, with a particular focus on providing counselling services for students. This funding will also allow providers to continue to develop better partnerships with local NHS services to ensure that students are able to access support in a timely manner, and not slip between the gaps in university and NHS provision. Partnership working between HE providers and the NHS will improve the care of students experiencing poor mental health by ensuring a more joined up approach to the delivery of mental health support.

I expect these combined efforts to have positive impacts on degree continuation and completion rates, as well as rates of progression into professional employment and further study.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of students dropped out of the first year of their university course between 2020 and 2023.

Figures on non-continuation following year one of entry are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for full-time first-degree entrants starting higher education courses between 2015/16 and 2019/20. The statistics published by HESA are summarised in Table 1 in the accompanying excel attachment .

More recent information on continuation rates, which are the inverse of non-continuation or drop-out rates, for first year full-time degree entrants entering higher education are published by the Office for Students (OfS). The statistics published by OfS are summarised in Table 2 in the accompanying excel attachment.

Early in-year student withdrawal notifications are published by Student Loans Company (SLC) for the academic years 2018/19 through to 2022/23, and offer a more up-to-date indication of students not continuing their studies. The most recent publication has an effective date of 31 May of each academic year. The statistics published by SLC are summarised in Table 3 in the accompanying excel attachment.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of students dropped out of the first year of their university course between 2015 and 2019.

Figures on non-continuation following year one of entry are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for full-time first-degree entrants starting higher education courses between 2015/16 and 2019/20. The statistics published by HESA are summarised in Table 1 in the accompanying excel attachment .

More recent information on continuation rates, which are the inverse of non-continuation or drop-out rates, for first year full-time degree entrants entering higher education are published by the Office for Students (OfS). The statistics published by OfS are summarised in Table 2 in the accompanying excel attachment.

Early in-year student withdrawal notifications are published by Student Loans Company (SLC) for the academic years 2018/19 through to 2022/23, and offer a more up-to-date indication of students not continuing their studies. The most recent publication has an effective date of 31 May of each academic year. The statistics published by SLC are summarised in Table 3 in the accompanying excel attachment.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
28th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to complete its assessments of the condition of school buildings constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. This is why the Department has been significantly investing in transforming schools across the country. Where there are serious safety issues with a building, the Department takes immediate and swift action to ensure the safety of pupils and school staff.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary-aided school bodies – who work with their schools to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools. They should alert the Department if there is a concern with a building.

The Department provides these responsible bodies with significant funding targeted toward where it is most needed to help them carry out these responsibilities, alongside a package of other guidance and support that the National Audit Office (NAO) found was comprehensive and well regarded by the sector.

The Department allocates significant funding to those responsible for the school estate to improve their buildings. This is over £15 billion since 2015, including 1.8 billion committed for the 2023/24 financial year.

The School Rebuilding Programme is transforming buildings at 500 schools over the course of the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition. The Department has announced 400 schools to date, including 239 in December 2022.

As set out by the NAO, buildings can normally be used beyond their estimated initial design life through regular maintenance and upgrades.

CDC1 and CDC2 are high level Condition Data Collection (CDC) programmes, the largest such surveys of UK public sector buildings. They allow the Department to understand the condition of the school estate over time and inform capital funding and programmes.

Individual reports are shared with every school and their responsible bodies, to help inform their investment plans alongside their own more detailed condition surveys and safety checks.

The Department is working with responsible bodies, schools, and colleges to support them through the process of investigation, assessment, and management of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

The Department has been communicating with schools about the potential risks of RAAC since 2018, when the Department first published a warning note with the Local Government Association.

Since then, the Department has published guidance in identifying and managing RAAC. In March 2022, the Department asked all schools to share their knowledge of RAAC, its presence in their buildings, and how they are managing it. The Department is following up rigorously to ensure as complete a response as possible.

The Department continues to urge all responsible bodies to get in touch with it immediately if they have any concerns about their school building. The Department relies on this information to enable it to take swift action.

The questionnaire is still open for responses from responsible bodies and schools, and the Department also encourages settings to update their responses if their situation changes.

The Department’s professional surveyors have already carried out over 200 assessments where RAAC is suspected to verify its presence and assess its condition. The Department is on track to complete 600 assessments by autumn, ahead of the initial forecast of December 2023.

In cases where RAAC is confirmed, the Department provides rapid support to schools on the advice of structural engineers. This could include funding capital works to remove any immediate risk and, where absolutely necessary, the provision of temporary buildings.

Longer term remediation of RAAC is supported by capital funding provided to the sector, the Department’s rebuilding programme and urgent capital support.

28th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to assess the safety of school buildings.

The safety of pupils and staff is vital. This is why the Department has been significantly investing in transforming schools across the country. Where there are serious safety issues with a building, the Department takes immediate and swift action to ensure the safety of pupils and school staff.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools – academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary-aided school bodies – who work with their schools to manage the safety and maintenance of their schools. They should alert the Department if there is a concern with a building.

The Department provides these responsible bodies with significant funding targeted toward where it is most needed to help them carry out these responsibilities, alongside a package of other guidance and support that the National Audit Office (NAO) found was comprehensive and well regarded by the sector.

The Department allocates significant funding to those responsible for the school estate to improve their buildings. This is over £15 billion since 2015, including 1.8 billion committed for the 2023/24 financial year.

The School Rebuilding Programme is transforming buildings at 500 schools over the course of the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition. The Department has announced 400 schools to date, including 239 in December 2022.

As set out by the NAO, buildings can normally be used beyond their estimated initial design life through regular maintenance and upgrades.

CDC1 and CDC2 are high level Condition Data Collection (CDC) programmes, the largest such surveys of UK public sector buildings. They allow the Department to understand the condition of the school estate over time and inform capital funding and programmes.

Individual reports are shared with every school and their responsible bodies, to help inform their investment plans alongside their own more detailed condition surveys and safety checks.

The Department is working with responsible bodies, schools, and colleges to support them through the process of investigation, assessment, and management of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

The Department has been communicating with schools about the potential risks of RAAC since 2018, when the Department first published a warning note with the Local Government Association.

Since then, the Department has published guidance in identifying and managing RAAC. In March 2022, the Department asked all schools to share their knowledge of RAAC, its presence in their buildings, and how they are managing it. The Department is following up rigorously to ensure as complete a response as possible.

The Department continues to urge all responsible bodies to get in touch with it immediately if they have any concerns about their school building. The Department relies on this information to enable it to take swift action.

The questionnaire is still open for responses from responsible bodies and schools, and the Department also encourages settings to update their responses if their situation changes.

The Department’s professional surveyors have already carried out over 200 assessments where RAAC is suspected to verify its presence and assess its condition. The Department is on track to complete 600 assessments by autumn, ahead of the initial forecast of December 2023.

In cases where RAAC is confirmed, the Department provides rapid support to schools on the advice of structural engineers. This could include funding capital works to remove any immediate risk and, where absolutely necessary, the provision of temporary buildings.

Longer term remediation of RAAC is supported by capital funding provided to the sector, the Department’s rebuilding programme and urgent capital support.

21st Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average length of a call was to the National Careers Service answered by a careers adviser in (a) April 2023 and (b) May 2023.

The National Careers Service provides free, up to date impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market in England. The service is delivered by 765 careers advisers working in the community and supporting telephone and webchat channels. The service is available to young people and adults through the website and telephone helpline. Adults can also access face-to-face guidance through the local community-based service.

There are 121 full time equivalent professionally qualified careers advisers who are dedicated to work on the National Careers Service locally delivered telephone channel. These advisers primarily provide the service via telephone, but may also work in the community and support live webchat. The average length of telephone calls is shown below, split between Information and Advice calls (IA) and Information, Advice and Guidance calls (IAG):

  • April 2023: IA Only Average Duration 00:09:33 and Full IAG Average Duration 00:38:53
  • May 2023: IA Only Average Duration 00:08:57 and Full IAG Average Duration 00:44:25

Sources:

  • Numbers of full-time equivalent careers advisers are taken from the internal workforce development survey which was carried out in March 2023.
  • Timings of calls are taken from internal reports submitted from our prime contractors. They use the reporting database held by Inform Communications, the provider hosting the telephone channel, to extract this information.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many full-time equivalent careers advisers are employed to answer phone calls to the National Careers Service.

The National Careers Service provides free, up to date impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market in England. The service is delivered by 765 careers advisers working in the community and supporting telephone and webchat channels. The service is available to young people and adults through the website and telephone helpline. Adults can also access face-to-face guidance through the local community-based service.

There are 121 full time equivalent professionally qualified careers advisers who are dedicated to work on the National Careers Service locally delivered telephone channel. These advisers primarily provide the service via telephone, but may also work in the community and support live webchat. The average length of telephone calls is shown below, split between Information and Advice calls (IA) and Information, Advice and Guidance calls (IAG):

  • April 2023: IA Only Average Duration 00:09:33 and Full IAG Average Duration 00:38:53
  • May 2023: IA Only Average Duration 00:08:57 and Full IAG Average Duration 00:44:25

Sources:

  • Numbers of full-time equivalent careers advisers are taken from the internal workforce development survey which was carried out in March 2023.
  • Timings of calls are taken from internal reports submitted from our prime contractors. They use the reporting database held by Inform Communications, the provider hosting the telephone channel, to extract this information.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of careers (a) advice and (b) support offered by secondary schools.

The government is investing over £87 million in 2023/24 in high-quality careers provision for all ages. This includes a grant of up to £29.7 million for The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) to support secondary schools and colleges to improve their careers programmes in line with the government’s careers framework, the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance.

The vast majority of secondary schools and colleges are now voluntarily working with the CEC through accessing training for Careers Leaders, joining a Careers Hub, partnering with an Enterprise Adviser (business volunteer) and using Compass/Compass+ digital tools.

Over 90% (4,568) of schools and colleges in England are now part of a Careers Hub, benefiting 2.3 million students. 70% (3,520) are partnered with an Enterprise Adviser to support the development of career strategies and employer engagement plans.

The department is ensuring parity of esteem for technical and academic options. We strengthened the provider access legislation which came into force in January 2023 and specifies that schools must provide at least six opportunities for providers of technical education and apprenticeships to speak to all pupils, during school years 8 to 13.

The department is also putting £3.2 million into the Apprenticeship, Support and Knowledge programme which supports students in years 10 to 13 in schools and colleges, along with their parents/carers and teachers to understand and apply for apprenticeships, T Levels and traineeships.

The department’s approach is working with evidence pointing to improved outcomes for young people. Evidence from three cohorts of year 11 leavers (2016/17 – 2018/19) suggests that each of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks achieved reduces the likelihood of any young person being not in education, employment or training, or in an unknown destination by 1.1%. The relationship is twice as strong in the quarter of schools with the most economically disadvantaged intake, as measured by free school meal entitlement.

Career readiness grows as young people move through secondary school. In 2021/22, a CEC survey of 34,986 young people shows their career readiness improves as they progress through school, rising from 45% in year 7 to 67% in year 11 and 74% in year 13.

Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Skills Builder Partnership report entitled Essential Skills Tracker 2023, published March 2023, which found that moving from the lower quartile essential skill score to the upper quartile essential skill score is associated with a wage premium of between 9.4 per cent and 12 per cent, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to use the same skills taxonomies in schools as in job centres.

The department has an ambitious skills agenda, backed by £3.8 billion of investment. The department is using this to build a skills system that is employer focused, high quality, and fit for the future.

Our skills reforms provide a ladder of opportunity that enables young people and adults to attain good jobs and progress in their careers. This begins with the opportunities and social justice needed to access excellent education and skills training. This will help more people to achieve secure, sustained, and well-paid employment and provide opportunities for individuals to progress in their careers.

The department funds a range of programmes and services which help learners develop the skills that employers want, including:

  • Skills Bootcamps: These are designed to support local regions and employers to fill in-demand vacancies and increase the skills set and opportunities open to adults. They have the potential to transform the skills landscape for adults and employers through upskilling adults with training that meets key sectoral skills gaps.
  • Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship standards are developed by employers to address their sector skills needs. The knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard describe the full competence required in the occupation and are developed to be transferable to a range of employers across the sector. The End Point Assessment also ensures that people completing apprenticeships are occupationally competent.
  • Returnerships: In the Spring Budget 2023, the government announced Returnerships, which will provide a clear route back into work and encourage employers to hire older workers through raising awareness of three different pathways: Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps and Sector-Based Work Academies Programmes.
  • Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) sector-based work academy programme (SWAPs). Developed by Jobcentres in partnership with employers and training providers, SWAPs offer training, work experience and a guaranteed interview to fill jobs. SWAPs allow people to learn the skills and behaviours that employers in particular industries look for, with individual placements lasting up to six weeks.
  • Careers guidance: The government expects all secondary schools to use the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance to develop and improve their careers provision for young people, including providing them with encounters with employers and the world of work. The Careers & Enterprise Company supports schools and colleges to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, including connecting them with employers and increasing young people’s awareness of the different pathways available and the types of skills employers are looking for. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance.
  • Skills Taxonomy: The Unit for Future Skills has begun developing a UK-specific skills taxonomy that will provide a common language for skills and mappings between skills, qualifications, and occupations. The first part of the project will focus on developing a methodology for the taxonomy, and will involve engaging with potential users, to ensure the final product provides value across the skills system. It is during this phase of work that the scope of the taxonomy will be determined, including how the different types of skills (such as essential and technical) will be covered. Officials in the department have recently met with the Skills Builder Partnership to discuss this work. We are currently considering options for how the Skills Builder Universal Framework for Essential Skills, alongside other work in this area, might inform or be incorporated into our skills taxonomy.
Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Skills Builder Partnership report entitled Essential Skills Tracker 2023, published March 2023, which found that 17 per cent of workers do not manage to break out of a cycle of low education, basic skills and essential skills, what steps she is taking to help upskill this group.

The department has an ambitious skills agenda, backed by £3.8 billion of investment. The department is using this to build a skills system that is employer focused, high quality, and fit for the future.

Our skills reforms provide a ladder of opportunity that enables young people and adults to attain good jobs and progress in their careers. This begins with the opportunities and social justice needed to access excellent education and skills training. This will help more people to achieve secure, sustained, and well-paid employment and provide opportunities for individuals to progress in their careers.

The department funds a range of programmes and services which help learners develop the skills that employers want, including:

  • Skills Bootcamps: These are designed to support local regions and employers to fill in-demand vacancies and increase the skills set and opportunities open to adults. They have the potential to transform the skills landscape for adults and employers through upskilling adults with training that meets key sectoral skills gaps.
  • Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship standards are developed by employers to address their sector skills needs. The knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard describe the full competence required in the occupation and are developed to be transferable to a range of employers across the sector. The End Point Assessment also ensures that people completing apprenticeships are occupationally competent.
  • Returnerships: In the Spring Budget 2023, the government announced Returnerships, which will provide a clear route back into work and encourage employers to hire older workers through raising awareness of three different pathways: Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps and Sector-Based Work Academies Programmes.
  • Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) sector-based work academy programme (SWAPs). Developed by Jobcentres in partnership with employers and training providers, SWAPs offer training, work experience and a guaranteed interview to fill jobs. SWAPs allow people to learn the skills and behaviours that employers in particular industries look for, with individual placements lasting up to six weeks.
  • Careers guidance: The government expects all secondary schools to use the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance to develop and improve their careers provision for young people, including providing them with encounters with employers and the world of work. The Careers & Enterprise Company supports schools and colleges to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, including connecting them with employers and increasing young people’s awareness of the different pathways available and the types of skills employers are looking for. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance.
  • Skills Taxonomy: The Unit for Future Skills has begun developing a UK-specific skills taxonomy that will provide a common language for skills and mappings between skills, qualifications, and occupations. The first part of the project will focus on developing a methodology for the taxonomy, and will involve engaging with potential users, to ensure the final product provides value across the skills system. It is during this phase of work that the scope of the taxonomy will be determined, including how the different types of skills (such as essential and technical) will be covered. Officials in the department have recently met with the Skills Builder Partnership to discuss this work. We are currently considering options for how the Skills Builder Universal Framework for Essential Skills, alongside other work in this area, might inform or be incorporated into our skills taxonomy.
Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Skills Builder Partnership report entitled Essential Skills Tracker 2023, published March 2023, which found that further essential skills are need to help increase in productivity, if she will take steps to develop a skills taxonomy with essential skills sitting alongside (a) basic and (b) technical skills.

The department has an ambitious skills agenda, backed by £3.8 billion of investment. The department is using this to build a skills system that is employer focused, high quality, and fit for the future.

Our skills reforms provide a ladder of opportunity that enables young people and adults to attain good jobs and progress in their careers. This begins with the opportunities and social justice needed to access excellent education and skills training. This will help more people to achieve secure, sustained, and well-paid employment and provide opportunities for individuals to progress in their careers.

The department funds a range of programmes and services which help learners develop the skills that employers want, including:

  • Skills Bootcamps: These are designed to support local regions and employers to fill in-demand vacancies and increase the skills set and opportunities open to adults. They have the potential to transform the skills landscape for adults and employers through upskilling adults with training that meets key sectoral skills gaps.
  • Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship standards are developed by employers to address their sector skills needs. The knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard describe the full competence required in the occupation and are developed to be transferable to a range of employers across the sector. The End Point Assessment also ensures that people completing apprenticeships are occupationally competent.
  • Returnerships: In the Spring Budget 2023, the government announced Returnerships, which will provide a clear route back into work and encourage employers to hire older workers through raising awareness of three different pathways: Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps and Sector-Based Work Academies Programmes.
  • Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) sector-based work academy programme (SWAPs). Developed by Jobcentres in partnership with employers and training providers, SWAPs offer training, work experience and a guaranteed interview to fill jobs. SWAPs allow people to learn the skills and behaviours that employers in particular industries look for, with individual placements lasting up to six weeks.
  • Careers guidance: The government expects all secondary schools to use the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance to develop and improve their careers provision for young people, including providing them with encounters with employers and the world of work. The Careers & Enterprise Company supports schools and colleges to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, including connecting them with employers and increasing young people’s awareness of the different pathways available and the types of skills employers are looking for. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance.
  • Skills Taxonomy: The Unit for Future Skills has begun developing a UK-specific skills taxonomy that will provide a common language for skills and mappings between skills, qualifications, and occupations. The first part of the project will focus on developing a methodology for the taxonomy, and will involve engaging with potential users, to ensure the final product provides value across the skills system. It is during this phase of work that the scope of the taxonomy will be determined, including how the different types of skills (such as essential and technical) will be covered. Officials in the department have recently met with the Skills Builder Partnership to discuss this work. We are currently considering options for how the Skills Builder Universal Framework for Essential Skills, alongside other work in this area, might inform or be incorporated into our skills taxonomy.
Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Skills Builder Partnership report entitled Essential Skills Tracker 2023, published March 2023, which found that older workers tend to have lower levels of essential skills, if she will take steps to promote and benchmark essential skills as standard in (a) apprenticeships, (b) Skills Bootcamps, (c) the sector-based work academy programme and (d) the Returnerships programme.

The department has an ambitious skills agenda, backed by £3.8 billion of investment. The department is using this to build a skills system that is employer focused, high quality, and fit for the future.

Our skills reforms provide a ladder of opportunity that enables young people and adults to attain good jobs and progress in their careers. This begins with the opportunities and social justice needed to access excellent education and skills training. This will help more people to achieve secure, sustained, and well-paid employment and provide opportunities for individuals to progress in their careers.

The department funds a range of programmes and services which help learners develop the skills that employers want, including:

  • Skills Bootcamps: These are designed to support local regions and employers to fill in-demand vacancies and increase the skills set and opportunities open to adults. They have the potential to transform the skills landscape for adults and employers through upskilling adults with training that meets key sectoral skills gaps.
  • Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship standards are developed by employers to address their sector skills needs. The knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard describe the full competence required in the occupation and are developed to be transferable to a range of employers across the sector. The End Point Assessment also ensures that people completing apprenticeships are occupationally competent.
  • Returnerships: In the Spring Budget 2023, the government announced Returnerships, which will provide a clear route back into work and encourage employers to hire older workers through raising awareness of three different pathways: Apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps and Sector-Based Work Academies Programmes.
  • Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) sector-based work academy programme (SWAPs). Developed by Jobcentres in partnership with employers and training providers, SWAPs offer training, work experience and a guaranteed interview to fill jobs. SWAPs allow people to learn the skills and behaviours that employers in particular industries look for, with individual placements lasting up to six weeks.
  • Careers guidance: The government expects all secondary schools to use the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance to develop and improve their careers provision for young people, including providing them with encounters with employers and the world of work. The Careers & Enterprise Company supports schools and colleges to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, including connecting them with employers and increasing young people’s awareness of the different pathways available and the types of skills employers are looking for. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance.
  • Skills Taxonomy: The Unit for Future Skills has begun developing a UK-specific skills taxonomy that will provide a common language for skills and mappings between skills, qualifications, and occupations. The first part of the project will focus on developing a methodology for the taxonomy, and will involve engaging with potential users, to ensure the final product provides value across the skills system. It is during this phase of work that the scope of the taxonomy will be determined, including how the different types of skills (such as essential and technical) will be covered. Officials in the department have recently met with the Skills Builder Partnership to discuss this work. We are currently considering options for how the Skills Builder Universal Framework for Essential Skills, alongside other work in this area, might inform or be incorporated into our skills taxonomy.
Robert Halfon
Minister of State (Education)
21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment the Government has made of the adequacy of opportunities for training available to staff in the childcare sector.

As part of education recovery and in response to the needs of the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic, the department is investing up to £180 million in the early years sector. This will build a stronger workforce and enable providers to deliver high-quality teaching and help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the youngest children, particularly those in the most disadvantaged areas.

The workforce investment includes two further phases of the early years professional development programme, building on an initial £20 million programme. This high quality, evidence-based programme is targeted at practitioners in disadvantaged areas. It will provide targeted support to early years staff in communication and language, maths, and personal, social, and emotional development.

In response to feedback from the sector, the department is supporting up to 5,000 early years staff and childminders to become qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCo).

The department is also developing new early years training routes. Employer trailblazer groups have developed level 2 and 3 apprenticeships, and, in August 2021, the department launched a level 5 apprenticeship. From April 2021, free level 3 early years qualifications became available through the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate the Government has made of the proportion of staff in the childcare sector who are paid the National Minimum Wage.

The latest figures from the department’s education 'Providers’ finances: survey of childcare and early years providers', collected in 2021, show that 22% of staff aged 23 and over working in a private or voluntary setting, nursery class or maintained nursery school were paid at or below the statutory minimum of the National Living Wage, the survey can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providers-finances-survey-of-childcare-and-ey-providers-2021.

At the time of the survey, the rate for both the National Living Wage (for those aged 23 and over) and for the National Minimum wage (for those of at least school leaving age) was £8.72 until April 2021 and £8.91 from April 2021.

Some 65% of childminders were paid below these rates. However, as childminders are self-employed, the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage do not apply.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate the Government has made of the proportion of employers in the childcare sector that would relax staff-to-child ratios in the event that Government guidelines are changed.

The government is consulting on moving to the Scottish ratios for two-year-olds, from a ratio of one-to-four (one adult to four children) to one-to-five (one adult to five children). The government is also considering how we can provide greater flexibility within ratios for childminders.

Alongside this consultation, the department is running a bespoke survey of early years providers to help us understand how the proposed changes to staff to child ratios in early years settings might affect provision, including their intention to adopt any changes. The results of this survey will be published.

Our priority continues to be to provide safe, high quality early years provision for our youngest children. Throughout this consultation process we are engaging fully with the sector and parents and carers.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will make an estimate of the average proportion of household income that families spent on childcare in each region of the UK in the latest period for which data is available.

The department does not hold the average proportion of household income that families spent on childcare in each region of the UK and, therefore, cannot provide an estimate for this question.

The 2022 Coram Family and Childcare Survey outlines the average prices of childcare in Great Britain and does contain a regional breakdown. This information is available here: https://www.coram.org.uk/sites/default/files/resource_files/Coram%20Childcare%20Survey%20-%202022.pdf

The 2019 childcare and early years survey of parents provided some details around the average weekly costs of childcare in each region. This information is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-and-early-years-survey-of-parents-2019.

The table below splits out the mean and median family-level weekly payment for childcare by region. These payments are for families with a child aged 0 to 4, who paid a childcare provider (or providers) in a specific week for their children aged 0 to 14.

Region

Median (£)

Mean (£)

Standard Error

Unweighted base

North East

31.00

53.18

4.78

102

North West

40.00

68.87

6.10

333

Yorkshire and the Humber

44.10

69.47

5.74

297

East Midlands

61.58

84.99

8.08

212

West Midlands

43.46

68.92

7.07

300

East of England

42.54

74.56

6.79

260

London

91.97

135.51

13.89

233

South East

45.00

80.58

6.07

361

South West

44.00

60.12

4.05

246

The survey also showed that the overall median weekly amount paid by families to childcare providers (including both formal and informal providers) was £45.00.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of childcare places available for children below school age in each region of the UK.

This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member for Wirral South, and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate the Government has made of the average hourly wage for staff in the childcare sector.

According to survey estimates, the mean hourly pay (calculated as gross weekly earnings divided by contracted weekly work hours) for people working in the early years sector in 2021 was as follows, by provider type:

Early years provider type

Mean hourly pay (2021)

All providers

£12.50

All providers except childminders

£12.94

Private providers

£11.94

Voluntary providers

£11.58

Nursery classes

£18.78

Maintained nursery schools

£19.38

Childminders

£8.23

Source: Table 12, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providers-finances-survey-of-childcare-and-ey-providers-2021.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on the ability of families to access childcare.

The government has spent over £3.5 billion in each of the past three years on the early education entitlements and continues to help families with their childcare bills through Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit.

On 4 July 2022, the department also announced further measures to increase take-up of childcare support and reduce the costs and bureaucracy facing providers. These reforms will help address the costs of childcare for thousands of working parents through a renewed drive to ensure parents access the support they are entitled to, ensuring government regulation is proportionate and providing greater flexibility for providers to be responsive to changing needs.

The government recognises the pressure on families relating to the cost of living and has announced £37 billion of support targeted at those most in need.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an estimate of the number and proportion of schools in England that have an after-school club.

In March 2022, the department surveyed teachers and school leaders in the School and College Panel. The results of this survey revealed that 65% of primary schools that responded offered after-school childcare. When weighted to be nationally representative, this translates to around 11,000 primary schools.

The results of the survey are available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1087043/School_and_college_panel_March_2022_Report.pdf.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an estimate of the number and proportion of schools in England that have a breakfast club.

The department does not have an estimate of the total number of schools which provide a breakfast club. The ‘School and College Panel – March 2022 wave’ research report, published in June 2022, reported that 75% of schools ran breakfast club provision for pupils. The report is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1087043/School_and_college_panel_March_2022_Report.pdf.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make a comparative assessment of funding for childcare below school age as a proportion of national income in (a) the UK and (b) other OECD countries.

The department has invested more than £3.5 billion in each of the last three years to deliver our early education entitlements.

The information requested is not held by the department but has been published previously by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in its Education at a Glance 2021 report.

The OECD publishes data on expenditure for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). This shows that the UK spent 0.3% of GDP on pre-primary education and care (ISCED 02)[1], compared to the OECD average of 0.6%. The differences on expenditure are largely explained by enrolment rates, legal entitlements, and the intensity of participation, as well as the different starting ages for primary education. The UK has one of the earliest primary school starting ages in the OECD, with most children starting at age 4. Therefore, the window for pre-primary education and spend is smaller than in many other OECD countries. This information is available at: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/financing-of-early-childhood-education-and-care-isced-0-and-change-in-expenditure-2018_b62e6aba-en.

[1] ISCED 02 refers to the UNESCO pre-primary education term. A full definition is available at: http://uis.unesco.org/node/3674229.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of families that require grandparents’ support for childcare.

According to data from the 2021 Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents, 21% of families with children aged 0 to 4 used grandparents to help provide childcare for their children.

21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of childcare providers in each region of the UK.

This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member for Wirral South, and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

24th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships starts there have been by (a) level, (b) sector and (c) region since 1 January 2021.

In January and February 2021, reported to date, there have been 49,550 apprenticeship starts in England. The attached table contains breakdowns of these 49,550 starts by sector subject area and level.

The last publication of apprenticeship starts by region covers August 2020 to January 2021, reported to date, and can be found in the 'Geographical breakdowns' section of the 'Apprenticeships and traineeships' release: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships-and-traineeships/2020-21.

The next update of apprenticeship starts by region will be published in July 2021.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
24th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships have been started since January 2021 to the latest available date for which data is available.

In January and February 2021, reported to date, there have been 49,550 apprenticeship starts in England. The attached table contains breakdowns of these 49,550 starts by sector subject area and level.

The last publication of apprenticeship starts by region covers August 2020 to January 2021, reported to date, and can be found in the 'Geographical breakdowns' section of the 'Apprenticeships and traineeships' release: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships-and-traineeships/2020-21.

The next update of apprenticeship starts by region will be published in July 2021.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
18th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of pupils that will leave school in summer 2021.

Pupil counts by year group are published in the annual “Schools, pupils and their characteristics” statistical release. This includes pupils who are coming to the end of their secondary education in Year 11 and those in Years 12 to 14 in school sixth forms. Data relating to the 2020/21 academic year will be published in June 2021 at the following link: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics.

18th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data his Department holds on the number of students that are expected to graduate in 2021.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on students enrolled in higher education (HE) in the UK.

The latest statistics on students graduating from HE refer to the academic year 2019/20. They are available in Figure 15 (https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/sb258/figure-15) of the HESA publication ‘Higher Education Statistics: UK’: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/27-01-2021/sb258-higher-education-student-statistics.

Statistics about students obtaining qualifications in the 2020/21 academic year will be published by the HESA in January 2022. The department does not hold an estimate of how many students are expected to graduate.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many grants have been awarded to firms to take on an apprenticeship since the most recent Spending Review; and in which sectors those grants have been allocated.

Apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow. To help employers offer new apprenticeships, they are now able to claim £2,000 for every new apprentice they hire under the age of 25, in recognition of the particular impacts of COVID-19 on the employment prospects of this group, and £1,500 for new apprentices aged 25 and over. These incentive payments were announced as part of the government’s Plan for Jobs in July 2020 and the extension of the scheme (to the end of March 2021) was announced in the November Spending Review. Employers have been able to register to claim the incentive since 1 September 2020.

It is encouraging that employers continue to see the value apprentices can bring to their businesses; as of 1 December 2020 employers had so far claimed incentive payments for 11,520 apprentices. We do not hold figures for incentive payments by industry sector.

Updated figures will be published in the ‘Apprenticeships and traineeships: January 2021’ statistics publication on 28 January 2021, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/apprenticeships-and-traineeships-january-2021.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many grants have been awarded to firms to support trainees to gain work experience since the Spending Review 2020.

We are supporting the largest-ever expansion of traineeships, providing an additional 30,000 places in 2020/21 academic year, to ensure that more young people have access to high-quality training. To encourage this, we have introduced £1000 incentive payments for employers who offer traineeship work placement opportunities between 1 September 2020 and 31 July 2021. The new incentive payment will enable employers to apply for £1000 per learner, for up to 10 learners per region, in each of the 9 regions of England.

From 27 January, employers can register to claim this incentive payment and as such, we do not yet have data on the take-up of incentive payments. Employers will be able to claim the incentive payment for all completed traineeship work experience placements that take place between the 1 September 2020 and 31 July 2021 even if the traineeship started before the 1 September 2020. We will monitor the take-up of the new payments and will assess their impact on traineeships starts to ensure traineeships continue to provide the extra support required by young people for them to progress into work or onto an apprenticeship.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
13th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to monitor Chartwell UK's progress in delivering the free school meals programme.

The continuing provision of free school meals to children from out of work families or those on low incomes is of the utmost importance to this government. Guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.

The department does not hold a contract with any provider to provide free school meals of lunch parcels to children. School catering contracts are agreed locally, and are held at school, academy trust, or local authority level. We have guidance in place allowing schools to decide the best approach for supporting free school meal pupils who are at home. This can be through lunch parcels, local vouchers or the national voucher scheme which was available from Monday.

The images circulating of poor-quality food parcels are unacceptable. On 13 January 2021, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, met with Chartwell’s and other leading school food suppliers and caterers to insist on urgent action to make sure lunch parcels meet the standards we expect. We are grateful to those firms who are working hard with schools to provide nutritious, balanced lunches for children.

If a parent is concerned about the standards of their lunch parcel, they should speak directly with their school. If a parent cannot resolve their concern through their school, they can contact the department. The department will make contact with suppliers where concerns are escalated, to ensure they are following the good practice guidance we have set out. We will also alert the school to confirm appropriate contract management arrangements are in place, so that immediate improvements are made.

1st Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many new apprenticeships were made available in the manufacturing industry in each year since 2010.

The most recent statistics on apprenticeship starts by industry sector cover the academic years 2012/13 to 2018/19 and are published on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/apprenticeships-in-england-by-industry-characteristics

The following table shows the number of apprenticeship starts in the manufacturing industry in England between academic years 2012/13 and 2018/19.

Academic year

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

Total matched apprenticeship starts

450,710

388,590

445,910

457,020

449,830

346,840

366,170

C - Manufacturing

29,780

27,230

32,180

36,820

36,170

26,160

26,850


Data previous to 2012/13 is unavailable and data for 2019/20 will be published in February 2021.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
1st Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he had made of new apprenticeships that were taken up by people under the age of 25 from low income backgrounds in each year since 2010.

The department does not hold information on the income backgrounds of apprentices.

We publish breakdowns of apprenticeship starts by learner age:

We also publish breakdowns of apprenticeship starts by Indices of Multiple Deprivation of the learner’s home postcode from 2014/15 onwards: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships-and-traineeships.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
29th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide a (a) framework and (b) tailored support to enable schools to open as places for pupil engagement and activity in the 2020 summer holidays.

We are not asking schools to open over the summer holidays. Teachers, support staff and head teachers deserve a break, to recharge and rest.

We are aware that some headteachers may be considering using their catch-up premium to provide summer school activities for their pupils. Where this is the case, they have the flexibility, discretion and autonomy to decide how they want to do this. To support schools in planning how to use the catch-up premium, the Education Endowment Foundation has produced a guide which includes advice on summer schools and contains a link to a Teach First toolkit specifically focused on summer schools, for schools that choose to do this.

Holiday clubs and out-of-school clubs for children will also be able to restart over the summer, with safety measures in place. These clubs will be part of Step 3 of the recovery strategy (from 4 July). We have published guidance for the sector on how to implement the protective measures necessary to open safely:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.

23rd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what staffing resources her Department allocates to assessing exports in the UK's cultural and creative industries.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has a dedicated creative industries team of 14 staff, a network of approximately 275 International Trade Advisors (ITAs) in the English regions supporting companies of all types, and trade policy, export and investment specialists in over a hundred countries globally.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
23rd Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Music Export Growth Scheme; and what criteria was used to make that assessment.

My department has commissioned an independent evaluation of the economic benefits of the Music Export Growth Scheme, which will be completed by May 2021.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of final trains of the day have been cancelled by Avanti West Coast in each month since September 2022.

The Department does not routinely hold data related to service alterations at specific times of the day. Passengers are protected by the National Conditions of Carriage and where the last train of the day is cancelled operators must provide alternative transport to their destination or accommodation where they reasonably can. Across the day Avanti has reduced self-caused cancellations to 4.2 per cent in early March, but still needs to do more to win back passengers with a reliable and dependable service.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much notice rail companies are required to give before altering the number of coaches on a train service.

Train operating companies plan the formations for their rolling stock deployment, using their available fleet to match expected demand. Planned and unplanned adjustments to this may occur for a range of reasons such as engineering works, special events, faults or failures. When making the decision to alter the number of coaches on a train service, train operating companies provide advice to customer information systems wherever possible, but there is no stipulated requirement for a discrete notice period.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how long before a planned train service is due to go ahead does Avanti West Coast know there will be a shortage of train crew.

Operators aim to understand and mitigate resource availability as far out as possible but circumstances such as training, sickness, other restrictions, and emergency releases as well as other external factors can change the position right up until the day of travel. Disruption is further exacerbated by inflexible working practices and terms and conditions, which is why workforce reforms are vital to build a better, more reliable railway for passengers.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Avanti West Coast trains were delayed in each calendar month of 2022.

This information is publicly available through The Office of Rail and Road's data portal. It can be found at:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/.

Whilst the question refers to calendar months, railway performance information is presented in four-weekly rail periods as standard.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Avanti West Coast trains were cancelled each calendar month of 2022.

This information is publicly available through The Office of Rail and Road's data portal. It can be found at:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/.

Whilst the question refers to calendar months, railway performance information is presented in four-weekly rail periods as standard.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Avanti West Coast trains have been cancelled due to staff shortages since 1 January 2023.

Avanti West Coast has reported a total of 459 full cancelations compared to 11,325 planned services since 1 January 2023 attributed to staff shortages.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Avanti West Coast trains have been delayed for more than 15 minutes since 1 January 2023.

This information is publicly available through The Office of Rail and Road's data portal. It can be found at the following link:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of the changes made to the Highway Code in January 2022.

The changes to The Highway Code aim to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

The percentage of road users reporting to know either a little or a lot about the Highway Code changes increased from 36% in January 2022 to 58% in August 2022, with 83% of road users having heard of the changes by August.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will publish estimates of drink-drive collisions and casualties more frequently than once a year.

There are no plans to increase the frequency of publication at this stage, though this will be reviewed based on any feedback from users of the statistics in future, in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of industrial action by rail workers on the ability of Avanti West Coast to adequately improve their service before their extended contract expires.

On 11 December Avanti West Coast (AWC) implemented major changes to its timetable, increasing services from four trains per hour to seven trains per hour, which is expected to lead to an improvement in reliability. The delivery of the new timetable has been restricted by strike action and, on non-strike days, bad weather and engineering works, which has meant that passengers are yet to see a sustained improvement.

The Department will review AWC’s operational performance over the term of the Emergency Measures contract as one of the important factors when considering the contractual arrangements for train services on the West Coast Main Line beyond 1 April 2023, recognising that not all factors are within AWC’s control. Whether there has been stable industrial relations and cooperation from Trade Unions will be taken into consideration.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
2nd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative assessment he has made of employment opportunities in area’s with and without night time public transport.

The Government recognises the vital role public transport plays in getting people to and from work at all times of the day and night. The National Bus Strategy published last year, recognises the important role buses play in meeting local transport needs. The Strategy is clear that Partnership and franchising arrangements must deliver more comprehensive services, including those which are socially or economically necessary. This includes more services in the evenings and at weekends.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
2nd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of night-time public transport on the night-time economy.

We have been clear through the National Bus Strategy that partnerships and franchising arrangements must deliver more comprehensive services, including those which are socially or economically necessary. As part of the Strategy the Government plans to issue new guidance on ‘socially necessary’ services, expanding the category to include ‘economically necessary’ services such as those supporting the night time economy.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
19th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the anticipated response time is for DVLA queries from hon. Members or their offices regarding constituents' concerns.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to answer 95 per cent of hon. Members correspondence within eight working days. The impact of the pandemic and industrial action taken by the Public and Commercial Services union last year has resulted in delays in processing applications and a subsequent increase in correspondence. Correspondence relating to vehicle or enforcements work are all currently being answered within the timescale. Correspondence relating to drivers or drivers’ medical concerns are outside this target. For example in February 2022, the DVLA answered over 80 per cent of hon. Members correspondence in 20 working days.

The DVLA has allocated extra resource to the teams that deal with these enquiries and this is showing an improving picture. The DVLA also offers hon. Members a dedicated phone line for their use.

Trudy Harrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
9th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the reasons for delays in the return of physical driving licences to applicants by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is to use its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.

However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application and the DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day. The DVLA has been working with a significantly reduced number of staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government requirements. Industrial action between April and the end of August by members of the Public and Commercial Services union and the current increased demand for the DVLA’s services has also contributed to delays with paper applications.

To help reduce waiting times for paper applications, the DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham. The DVLA has reconfigured its accommodation to safely maximise the number of staff on site and is working hard to process paper applications as quickly as possible. The latest information on turnaround times for paper driving licence applications can be found here.

These measures are having a positive impact. The queues are reducing, and customers will continue to see an improving picture in terms of turnaround times.

Trudy Harrison
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the minimum training required for new work coaches is.

All DWP new entrant work coaches undergo a minimum mandatory learning journey compromising of a combination of induction, onboarding, and operational fundamental learning prior to progressing into their work coach technical learning.

The work coach specific learning is a total of 30 days and is a combination of facilitated learning and consolidation, this is followed by a 2-day mental health learning event.

Additionally, all new work coaches undergo mandatory Keeping Safe learning which is for employees who have direct contact with members of the public.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of work coach appointments took place in person in the latest period for which data is available.

The information provided in the table below shows the number and proportion of attended appointments between 14/10/2023 and 14/11/2023.

Appointment Channel

Number

Percent

Phone

548,000

22.9

Video

109,000

4.6

In person

1,736,000

72.5

These figures are derived from DWP’s administrative data and relate to in-person, telephone, and video appointments with Universal Credit claimants. All Universal Credit types are included. Non-Universal Credit appointments are not included. The numbers of appointments have been rounded to the nearest thousand, and the percentages to the nearest 0.1%.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether incentives are included as part of work coach performance management.

Incentives for Work Coaches are not included as part of DWP’s performance management approach, but good performance and achievements are recognised.

Within the Additional Jobcentre Support pilot we did include testing of incentives across 60 jobcentres. Phase 1 of this test concluded on 31 August 2023.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have received Intensive Personalised Employment Support, by local authority area, in each of the last five years.

Statistics on Intensive Personalised Employment Support are planned for future publication and will be formally released, adhering to the Official Statistics guidance. Although MI is available internally, it is important that it remains restricted and is not shared externally prior to release of the Official Statistics.

The publication of official information is a properly planned and managed process, to ensure that the data is accurate once placed into the public domain. It is in the public interest to ensure that the information is available to all members of the public at the same time, and premature publication could undermine this principle.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the next experimental statistics for the Restart Scheme.

The department plans to publish the next experimental statistics for the Restart Scheme in December 2023.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the overall annual cost of the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme is.

Contracted Employment is provided from 2017/18 to 2022/23:

2017/18 Actual

2018/19 Actual

2019/20 Actual

2020/21 Actual

2021/22 Actual

2022/23 Actual

GRAND TOTAL

Total

£200,000

£1,000,000

£3,919,670

£5,722,876

£9,226,277

£9,702,598

£29,771,421

The total includes estimated non-recurrent set up costs of approximately £3m.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to develop employment support pilot programmes in the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The Trailblazer deals were developed alongside the combined authorities to help address local priorities.

Full details of the WMCA deal can be found here: West Midlands Combined Authority: “Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has for monitoring the effectiveness of Trailblazer employment support programmes.

The Trailblazer deals present a genuinely new and different way of approaching employment support. Therefore, we have agreed the impacts and outcomes of the trailblazer approach will be evaluated.

Full details of the WMCA deal can be found here: West Midlands Combined Authority: “Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's Employment Data Lab evaluates (a) jobcentres and (b) his Department's employment services.

The Employment Data Lab is an external-facing service designed to evaluate employment support provided by external organisations and to share the findings publicly. The service does not evaluate jobcentres or the Department’s employment services and DWP’s wider approach to evaluation is set out in its Evaluation Strategy published on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-evaluation-strategy/dwp-evaluation-strategy). Further information can be found on the Employment Data Lab webpages on gov.uk (www.gov.uk/government/collections/employment-data-lab).

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether negative evaluations of employment support programmes made by his Department's Employment Data Lab result in reduced spending on those programmes.

The Employment Data Lab is an external-facing service designed to evaluate employment support provided by external organisations. DWP would not be directly involved in funding decisions for these programmes.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to publish objectives agreed with the West Midlands Combined Authority for (a) purposes, (b) outcomes and (c) monitoring of employment programmes funded by the Department.

The Department for Work and Pensions has agreed a deepened devolution deal with West Midlands Combined Authority and full details of the deal can be found here: West Midlands Combined Authority:“Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to share data from the Trailblazer labour market and skills programmes with its Employment Data Lab.

The details of any data sharing requirements of labour market and skills programmes in the Trailblazer deals will be determined throughout the design process and will follow the usual processes. The DWP Employment Data Lab is a service aimed at organisations that are external to DWP and who work with people to help them into employment. For further information on the data lab, see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-data-lab-information-and-guidance/employment-data-lab-user-guide.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 7 February 2023 to Question 133981, when his Department plans to complete the evaluations.

The next publication is planned for Winter 2023/24, subject to the outcome of quality assurance processes.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to ensure that Jobcentre Plus districts align with the West Midlands Combined Authority area.

An alignment happens naturally within the working arrangements of the DWP and Local Authorities (LA). At present, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and DWP align with 6 of the 7 LA’s within the Birmingham and Solihull and Black Country Districts.

Coventry, as part of Mercia District, is the 7th LA. Whilst Mercia takes in the rural parts of the DWP West Midlands geography (Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin), Coventry is very much an integral part of the WMCA’s area and forms an important part of the wider and inclusive partnership working arrangements.

All parts of the WMCA fall within the wider DWP West Midlands Region and the accountability of the same Leadership Team.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide new learning and development materials for Jobcentre work coaches to help ensure that claimant commitments for lead carers reflect individual circumstances.

DWP new entrant work coaches complete a comprehensive mandatory learning journey enabling them to treat each customer as an individual regardless of their circumstances.

The learning journey includes specific modules on claimant commitments and carers which provide the work coach with the knowledge and skills to tailor the commitment to individuals based on their needs.

We also provide work coaches with access to point of need learning about supporting lead carers, this can be accessed by both new and existing work coaches as and when they require additional support.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to publish new guidance for Jobcentre work coaches on managing claimant commitments for lead carers of children aged between three and 12.

The department has no current plans to publish new guidance for Jobcentre work coaches on managing claimant commitments for lead carers of children aged between 3 and 12.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many specialist Disability Employment Advisers are employed in youth hubs to support participants with a health condition.

Activity

ABM FTE

(UCJC) Disability Employment Adviser

750

Source: Derived from the department’s Activity Based Model (ABM).

  • Data is correct as of the end of October 2023 and has been rounded to the nearest 10.
  • For the purposes of answering this question the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) activity has been used.
  • DEAs support Work Coaches and Jobcentre colleagues in situations where claimants present with complex employment circumstances involving health and disability issues. Support to Work Coaches include upskilling, case conferencing and facilitating three-way conversations with claimants.
  • DEAs are not based in Youth Hubs but support Youth Hub Work Coaches and Youth Employability Coaches.
  • Figures were derived from the department’s Activity Based Model (ABM), which provides full time equivalent (FTE) figures based on point in time estimate by line managers. They cover only FTE staff with paid employment. No overtime FTE is included.
  • The number of DEA Work Coaches is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal department use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics standard. As the department holds the information, we have released it.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department estimates the cost of answering Parliamentary Questions.

There is no formal methodology – each Written Parliamentary Question is judged on its own merits, including whether a response can reasonably be provided within the cost limit.

The department follows the guidance produced by the Cabinet Office in the following documents:

Guide to Parliamentary Work

2022-10-11 - Guide to Parliamentary Work (publishing.service.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)

Guidance on drafting answers to Parliamentary Questions:

drafting-pq-responses.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the first quarterly Customer Satisfaction Measure survey of the Restart Scheme.

The Customer Satisfaction Measure (CSM) results of the Restart Scheme are not currently published; however, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) retains the right to do so in the future.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to use the findings of the customer satisfaction measure survey of the Restart Scheme to improve the (a) experience and (b) outcomes of participants with a health condition.

Department for Work and Pensions review the findings from the Restart Scheme customer satisfaction surveys quarterly and identify key themes or feedback and share these with providers, to improve performance.

If any specific issues are identified, DWP works with the relevant parties to address these at Contract Package Area or national level. Any participants with a health condition receive a tailored action plan which takes into consideration their individual needs. However, DWP has not received any feedback specific to this claimant group.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's employment data lab on the effectiveness of (a) jobcentres and (b) existing employment services.

No formal assessment has been made of the impact of the Employment Data Lab service on the effectiveness of either jobcentres or existing employment services.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of Jobcentre plus offering employment support to unemployed individuals that are not in receipt of out-of-work benefits.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for getting people into work and making work pay.

We are driving forward significant recruitment to deliver on our Labour Market programmes to get more people off benefits and into work, which is fair stewardship of taxpayers money.

At Spring Budget, we introduced a range of measures providing extra support for people to move into work and progress into better-paid jobs, particularly disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, parents, over-50s, unemployed people and people on Universal Credit and working fewer than full-time hours. Along with increased employment support, this includes increased expectations for lead carers of children on Universal Credit, as well as increasing the AET.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the Youth Employment Group's report entitled Young Person's Guarantee published 27 September 2023.

We acknowledge the Youth Employment Group’s report calling for the Government to adopt a Young Person’s Guarantee and note the five recommended policy proposals.

The Government is committed to delivering targeted support for all young people, no matter what their start in life or the challenges they face, to give them the best chance of getting into work.

Within DWP, the Youth Offer provides individually tailored work coach support to young people aged 16-24 who are on the Universal Credit and searching for work. We have recently expanded Youth Offer support to enable more young people on Universal Credit to see a work coach in a Youth Hub or to benefit from the expertise of our Youth Employability Coaches.

By extending the Youth Offer to other Universal Credit claimants we are helping more young people not in education, employment or training who claim Universal Credit to access this essential support. Some Youth Hubs will also offer a drop-in facility where these young people who do not have a UC claim will be able to access support.

Lastly, we recognise that ensuring young people have the most appropriate support, education or training to enable them to enter sustained employment and progress in their careers requires a cross-government approach. In partnership with DfE and DCMS, we have established a new cross Government Forum on Youth Skills for Life and Work. The forum provides an opportunity for departments to identify and act on opportunities to work closer together on crosscutting youth issues and to equip young people with the skills for life and work that they will need to fulfil their potential and drive growth for the country.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the Youth Employment Group's report entitled Young Person's Guarantee published 27 September 2023; and if he will make a statement.

We acknowledge the Youth Employment Group’s report calling for the Government to adopt a Young Person’s Guarantee and note the five recommended policy proposals.

The Government is committed to delivering targeted support for all young people, no matter what their start in life or the challenges they face, to give them the best chance of getting into work.

Within DWP, the Youth Offer provides individually tailored Work Coach support to young people aged 16-24 who are on the Universal Credit and searching for work. As published in PQ 202513, we have expanded Youth Offer support to enable more young people on Universal Credit to see a Work Coach in a Youth Hub or to benefit from the expertise of our Youth Employability Coaches.

By extending the Youth Offer to other Universal Credit claimants we are helping more young people not in education, employment or training who claim Universal Credit to access this essential support. Some Youth Hubs will also offer a drop-in facility where these young people who do not have a UC claim will be able to access support.

Lastly, we recognise that ensuring young people have the most appropriate support, education or training to enable them to enter sustained employment and progress in their careers requires a cross-government approach. In partnership with DfE and DCMS, we have established a new cross Government Forum on Youth Skills for Life and Work. The forum provides an opportunity for departments to identify and act on opportunities to work closer together on crosscutting youth issues and to equip young people with the skills for life and work that they will need to fulfil their potential and drive growth for the country.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has for the long-term role of Youth Hubs in society; and if he will make a statement.

We are fully committed to the delivery of Youth Hubs, which are an integral part of our wider DWP Youth Offer. Youth Hubs bring together Work Coach employment support and place-based services from local partnerships to help young people into work.

The Spring Budget 2023 committed to the extension of the Youth Offer until 2028, with funding beyond 2024/2025 to be determined by a future spending review. We published Youth Hub funding details in PQ 190112. Alongside this, we recently expanded eligibility for the Youth Offer allowing more young people on Universal Credit to see a Work Coach in a Youth Hub, receive intensive support at the start of their claim or to benefit from the expertise of our Youth Employability Coaches.

The Youth Offer, including Youth Hubs, is subject to a Process Evaluation. Early emerging findings are being shared internally and will inform any improvements or future changes to the Youth Offer policy. The process evaluation will continue until Spring 2024. We aim to publish the findings once complete.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to disseminate best practice identified by his Department's Employment Data Lab.

All Employment Data Lab evaluations are published on gov.uk and so are available to all employment support providers and the public. There are currently no further plans to disseminate best practice.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's employment data lab on the effectiveness of (a) job centres and (b) existing employment services.

There are no current plans to assess the potential impact of the Employment Data Lab service on the effectiveness of either jobcentres or existing employment services.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of Jobcentre plus offering employment support to unemployed individuals not in receipt of out-of-work benefits.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for getting people into work and making work pay.

A range of employment support is available to non-claimants, including Access to Work grants; Disability Confident, Intensive Personalised Employment Support; Work and Health Programme Pioneer; and the online information service – Support with Employee Health and Disability. The Government also works in partnership with health systems to deliver support including Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies, and the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme, delivered in health settings.

In addition, non-claimants are able to attend DWP jobs fairs, which connect jobseekers with employers. The enhanced digital Mid-life MOT is also open to everybody and easy to access.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the £3.5 billion over five years to increase workforce participation announced in Budget 2023, how much and what proportion has been spent as of 13 October 2023.

The forecast spend for 2023/24 can be found in the 2023 Spring Budget publication.

Final spend for the year on measures funded at the Spring Statement will be reported in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the £3.5 billion over five years to increase workforce participation announced in Budget 2023, what estimate he has made of how much and what proportion of that investment will be spent by the end of the five years over which that money has been allocated.

The funding for 2023/24 and 2024/25 was confirmed at Spring Budget 2023. Spending beyond 2024/25 is subject to the outcomes of the next Spending Review. As such we have not made an estimate of how much and what proportion of the funding announced to increase Workforce Participation at the Spring Statement will be spent by the end of 2027/28.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average number of children is in couple households where one parent is a benefit claimant and searching for work and one parent has no work requirements.

The requested information is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average number of children is in couple households where both parents are benefit claimants and searching for work.

The requested information is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average number of children is in single-parent households where that parent is a benefit claimant and searching for work.

The requested information is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to advertise Sector-based Work Academy Programmes to employers.

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) are set up in response to local job vacancies and labour-market demand. As such, SWAPs are generally marketed to employers through the Jobcentre Plus network. DWP’s National Employer and Partnership Team also regularly runs employer campaigns focused on different sectors to publicise SWAPs and the other support available to companies looking to recruit.

DWP also works directly with sector stakeholders to develop SWAP opportunities, such as the pilot launched in September, developed alongside UK Hospitality, to help potential employees gain a Hospitality Skills Passport. More widely, there is a guide to SWAPs on GOV.UK for employers, at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sector-based-work-academies-employer-guide.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to approve the budget for the Office for Nuclear Regulation for the financial year 2023-24.

We confirm that the 2023/24 for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) budget has already been approved.

Laura Trott
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to increase employers' engagement with its employment schemes.

The Department regularly engages with individual employers and representative bodies and promotes its schemes. A summary of the help available is on gov.uk: Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Employing people - Help to Grow.

Jobcentre Plus also engages directly with individual employers at national and local level to explain what services are available. Where schemes are delivered by third parties, they will have their own arrangements in place for promoting the help available to employers.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to advertise its employment schemes to employers.

The Department regularly engages with individual employers and representative bodies and promotes its schemes. A summary of the help available is on gov.uk: Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Employing people - Help to Grow.

Jobcentre Plus also engages directly with individual employers at national and local level to explain what services are available. Where schemes are delivered by third parties, they will have their own arrangements in place for promoting the help available to employers.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average number of benefit claimants per work coach is as of September 2023.

The average number of benefit claimants per Work Coach varies across our locations. In December 2019, the average number of claimants per Work Coach was 112 claimants. Whereas, in September 2023, the average number of claimants per Work Coach was 119 claimants.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average number of benefit claimants per work coach was December 2019.

The average number of benefit claimants per Work Coach varies across our locations. In December 2019, the average number of claimants per Work Coach was 112 claimants. Whereas, in September 2023, the average number of claimants per Work Coach was 119 claimants.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to advertise the JCP and DWP Work trial programme to employers.

The Department for Work and Pensions engages with individual employers and representative bodies regularly in the development and promotion of its schemes. A summary of the help available for recruiters is published on Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), which includes information about the Work Trials Scheme. Jobcentre Plus also engages directly with individual employers at national and local level to explain what services are available.

The Department has also developed a range of leaflets, guides and videos to share with employers including the Jobcentre Plus support for employers quick guides, which include information on the Work Trials Scheme.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total budget underspend for the Office for Nuclear Regulation was for the financial year 2022-23.

The total underspend Office of Nuclear Regulation reported for 2022-23 was £4.0m.

Laura Trott
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to identify and assess buildings on its estate that contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

For now, the focus is on bringing together the information we hold about the Government estate into one place. This work is being coordinated by the Office for Government Property. Of the buildings where DWP has direct responsibility, two were found to have RAAC. One is being remedied but is currently unoccupied, one is being monitored annually as per the Institute of Structural Engineers guidance.

DWP also occupies several hundred buildings where it is the minor occupier or does not have responsibility for the fabric of the building however, we have pro-actively contacted these landlords.

One of these buildings has RAAC which is the landlord’s responsibility, and this is being managed by monitoring as per structural engineers’ guidance. The RAAC does not affect the part of the building that DWP occupies.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will take steps to publish information on the number of people moving into employment through the Universal Support scheme on a monthly basis in the period up to September 2024.

Universal Support is in the early stages of development. We have a commitment to transparency and are considering the information that will be published on Universal Support services.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the starting salary for a work coach in a job centre was in December 2020.

The starting salary for an Executive Officer Work Coach would vary dependant on the location of their place of work. DWP has different pay scales that apply in different locations or pay zones.

For employees based within DWP’s National pay zone, the starting salary of an Executive officer Work Coach in December 2020 was £27,565, per annum full time equivalent.

For employees based within DWP’s Outer London pay zone, the starting salary of an Executive officer Work Coach in December 2020 was £29,285, per annum full time equivalent.

For employees based within DWP’s Inner London pay zone, the starting salary of an Executive officer Work Coach in December 2020 was £31,061, per annum full time equivalent.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many hours the training programme for a work coach was in September 2020.

New entrant work coaches into DWP undergo learning which starts with 59 hours of induction, onboarding and operational fundamental learning before moving into their official work coach specific technical learning.

In September 2020 the specific technical learning programme compromised 134 hours and 15 minutes of classroom learning, including Mental Health training. We provided an additional 112 hours and 30 minutes of supported consolidation of the learning in a live environment. In total this was 246 hours and 45 minutes.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many hours the training programme for a work coach took as of September 2023.

New entrant work coaches into DWP undergo learning which starts with 59 hours of induction, onboarding and operational fundamental learning before moving into their official work coach specific technical learning.

Following transformation of our learning approach, the specific technical learning programme now compromises 94 hours and 15 minutes of classroom learning and includes 6 hours 45 minutes of Mental Health training. We provide an additional 45 hours of supported consolidation of the learning in a live environment. In total this is 139 hours and 15 minutes.

As part of our learning transformation, the initial technical learning programme is followed by bespoke individual learning paths. In partnership with their line manager an individual will continue to grow their skills and confidence through a variety of opportunities including self-serve and facilitator led refresher learning sessions.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department takes into account the need to work fewer hours of (a) parents, (b) carers, (c) disabled people and (d) others when imposing conditionality.

The requirements any claimant is asked to meet will be clearly set out in their Claimant Commitment. All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant, tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable.

For lead carers of children, individual circumstances are taken into account when tailoring work-related activity in the claimant commitment. This includes the age of the child, availability of childcare, any health conditions and travel time to and from work.

A part time carer on Universal Credit can receive individualised employment support through their Jobcentre Plus (JCP) work coach who can tailor work related requirements, such as searching for work, to fit their caring responsibilities.

For disabled claimants or claimants with health conditions who are required to look for and/or prepare for work, work coaches must consider the impact of the claimant’s health condition or disability and can limit the number of hours the claimant is required to be available for work, search for work and undertake other work-related requirements. Work coaches can also tailor type and location of work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many hours the training programme for a work coach was in September 2015.

DWP records and archives covering the duration of training for a work coach are not held for 2015.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the average length of a face to face appointment with a work coach at a job centre.

The requested information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Maintaining an effective Work Coach diary is a joint responsibility between a team leader and the Work Coach, and is reached collaboratively through regular discussion and agreement.

The duration of each appointment is determined by the appointment type, and the length of time the appointment is expected to take is recorded by our diary management tool. We do not hold information on the actual duration of an appointment, for example, whether the appointment was longer or shorter than the allocated time.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the accessibility by public transport of established Jobcentres.

The Department explores Jobcentre operational views on site accessibility when reviewing the suitability of its existing Jobcentre sites in the context of considering network improvements. Good public transport links and accessibility also form part of our criteria when seeking new Jobcentre sites.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help work coaches manage the workload from temporary job centres after they have closed.

The Department is committed to reducing its Jobcentre estate back to pre-pandemic levels. Following any decision to close a temporary Jobcentre, local Jobcentre managers work closely with their teams to ensure that the workload is distributed appropriately, and our Work Coach caseloads continue to remain manageable.

The size of a Work Coach caseload will vary as it is dependent on several factors, including the level of customer support required, the needs of the local labour market and the experience and working pattern of each Work Coach.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to deploy work coaches at temporary job centres to established job centres.

The Department is committed to reducing its Jobcentre estate back to pre-pandemic levels by decommissioning Temporary Jobcentres (or the additional space in established Jobcentres) in a phased approach, where the increased capacity is no longer needed.

Phase 4 of this decommissioning was announced in a Written Statement on Wednesday 13 September. Subsequent phases of decommissioning will continue to follow throughout 2023 and 2024, including Temporary Jobcentres in the North West.

MPs will be contacted when a decision regarding the Jobcentre estate is made that could affect their constituents.

All Work Coaches deployed to a Temporary Jobcentre will return to an established local Jobcentre and there will be no reduction in the number of Work Coaches supporting customers as a result of the decommissioning of temporary sites.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to close temporary jobcentres in the North West.

The Department is committed to reducing its Jobcentre estate back to pre-pandemic levels by decommissioning Temporary Jobcentres (or the additional space in established Jobcentres) in a phased approach, where the increased capacity is no longer needed.

Phase 4 of this decommissioning was announced in a Written Statement on Wednesday 13 September. Subsequent phases of decommissioning will continue to follow throughout 2023 and 2024, including Temporary Jobcentres in the North West.

MPs will be contacted when a decision regarding the Jobcentre estate is made that could affect their constituents.

All Work Coaches deployed to a Temporary Jobcentre will return to an established local Jobcentre and there will be no reduction in the number of Work Coaches supporting customers as a result of the decommissioning of temporary sites.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2023 to Question 192305 on Jobcentres: Staff, how many work coaches his Department plans to (a) recruit and (b) train within the next six months.

We continually review our resourcing position and recruitment plans on a quarterly basis.

The number of work coaches being recruited through these plans is based on the absorption capacity into the business, ensuring recruits are effectively trained and supported through consolidation.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work coaches his Department plans to (a) recruit and (b) train in the next 12 months.

The number of work coaches being recruited is based on the absorption capacity into the business, ensuring recruits are effectively trained and supported through consolidation.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to (a) recruit and (b) train extra work coaches.

Yes, we are recruiting and training more work coaches.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 April 2023 to Question 183052 on Social Security Benefits: Disqualification, whether he has considered the potential merits of undertaking such research.

We have no plans to undertake further research on sanctions.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work coaches work for Jobcentre Plus by (a) region and (b) nation.

Region

Total Work Coaches

Central Area

2,870

London and Essex Area

2,910

North East Area

1,060

North West and North Central Area

2,670

Scotland Area

1,210

Southern Area

2,680

Wales Area

670

Other

60

Total

14,130

Nation

Total Work Coaches

England

12,190

Scotland

1,210

Wales

670

Other

60

Total

14,130

Source: DWP’s internal Activity Based Model (ABM)

Notes:

  • Data is correct as of May 2023.
  • Data for Work Coaches does not include Work Coach Team Leaders.
  • Figures were derived from the Department’s Activity Based Model (ABM), which provides Full Time Equivalent (FTE) figures based on point in time estimate by Line Managers. They cover only FTE with paid employment. They have been rounded to the nearest 10.
  • Where the Department’s data does not show a specific site, this has been included in the table as “Other”
  • The number of Work Coaches is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal department use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics standard. As the Department holds the information, we have released it.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has commissioned research on the reasons for jobcentres in northern England having on average higher sanction rates than those elsewhere in England.

There are currently no plans to undertake further research.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Institute for Public Policy Research's paper entitled The Sanctions Surge published March 2023, what estimate he has made of the proportion of adverse decisions against Universal Credit claimants that were made due to a failure to attend or participate in a mandatory interview between August 2021 and October 2022.

The Claimant Commitment is agreed between the claimant and the Work Coach, and it is based on the claimant’s particular circumstances.

People are only sanctioned when they fail, without good reason, to meet the requirements set out in their Claimant Commitment.

Failure to attend or participate in a mandatory interview, as agreed in the Claimant Commitment, accounted for 98.5% of adverse decisions made between August 2021 and October 2022.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what changes there have ben in sanction rate for the over-60s since December 2019.

Monthly Universal Credit (full service) sanction rate statistics are published every three months. The latest statistics are available by age, from April 2019 to November 2022, on Stat-Xplore.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of his Department's staff took a leave of absence for reasons of mental ill health between 1 May 2022 and 11 April 2023 (a) in total and (b) broken down by (i) gender (ii) age (d) UK region.

Total percentage of staff who took a leave of absence for reasons of mental ill health between 01/05/22 and 11/04/23 is 8.1%

Gender

Employees Absent

Female

5.5%

Male

2.6%

Total

8.1%

Ageband

Employees Absent

16-24

0.3%

25-29

0.9%

30-34

0.8%

35-39

0.9%

40-44

0.9%

45-49

0.9%

50-54

1.2%

55-59

1.3%

60-64

0.8%

65+

0.2%

Grand Total

8.1%

UK Region

Employees Absent

EAST MIDLANDS

0.4%

EAST OF ENGLAND

0.4%

LONDON

0.8%

NORTH EAST

0.9%

NORTH WEST

1.5%

NORTHERN IRELAND

0.0%

SCOTLAND

0.8%

SOUTH EAST

0.6%

SOUTH WEST

0.5%

WALES

0.6%

WEST MIDLANDS

0.7%

YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER

0.8%

Grand Total

8.1%

Absence categories used

  • Mental Health – Anxiety and Depression
  • Mental Health – Other
  • Stress
Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department will take steps to align Jobcentre Plus office areas with the region covered by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

As part of the Government's trailblazer deeper devolution deal with West Midlands Combined Authority, the Department of Work and Pensions has committed to strengthened partnership working with new joint governance arrangements.

We have also committed to work together on the design of future contracted employment provision, including co-design and a delegated delivery model, aligned with the Combined Authority’s geographical footprint.

Full details of the West Midlands Combined Authority deal can be found here: West Midlands Combined Authority: West Midlands Combined Authority: “Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will develop employment support pilot programmes in West Midlands Combined Authority, in addition to those in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The trailblazer deals for Greater Manchester and West Midlands were developed alongside the combined authorities to help address local priorities, resulting in partly bespoke offers to each combined authority alongside joint commitments to both, aligned to the priorities of each area.

Full details of the WMCA deal can be found here: West Midlands Combined Authority: “Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish his Department's joint objectives with the West Midlands Combined Authority for employment programmes once they have been agreed.

The Department for Work and Pensions has agreed a deepened devolution deal with West Midlands Combined Authority and full details of the deal can be found here:

West Midlands Combined Authority: “Trailblazer” deeper devolution deal - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to share the data relating to its labour market and skills programmes in the Trailblazer deals with the Department’s Employment Data Lab.

The details of any data sharing requirements of labour market and skills programmes in the Trailblazer deals will be determined throughout the design process and will follow the usual processes.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what role the National Audit Office will play in monitoring the employment support programmes outlined in the Trailblazer deals.

The Trailblazer deals do not set out a specific role for the National Audit Office in monitoring the employment support programmes.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of staff in his Department are over the age of 50.

There are 40,674 staff over the age of 50, this represents 47.5% of the total workforce.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant the Answer of 17 March 2023 to Question 162174 on Employment, whether his Department's review into workforce participation will look into the workforce participation of students.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions was asked to lead work across Government to look in detail at the issue of participation in the labour market. As part of this work, the Department reviewed data to better understand the reasons behind economic inactivity. This included looking at students.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps his Department has taken to share data with banks for the purpose of fraud (a) prevention and (b) protection.

We have interpreted your question as being about the department’s ambition to access greater data from third parties to help tackle fraud and error.

Under current legislation, Authorised Officers from the DWP are able to obtain information from specified persons and organisations (this includes: banks, credit unions, friendly societies, industrial and provident societies) about their customers to help detect benefit fraud. Authorised Officers may use the powers when it is necessary and proportionate and in accordance with relevant legislation, to prevent, detect and secure evidence of benefit fraud.

The Government will legislate, when parliamentary time allows, for additional powers to require access to data from third parties, in particular banks, to enable the department to more proactively identify potential fraud, such as where claimants might have savings above the capital limit.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a target for the reduction of (a) fraud and (b) error overpayments by his Department.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to setting Fraud and Error targets as set out in its response to the Treasury Minutes to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twenty Sixth report of session 2022. This has a target implementation date of Summer 2023.

CP 781 – Treasury Minutes Government Response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twenty-third to the Twenty-sixth reports from Session 2022-23 – January 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the evidential basis is for introducing more conditionality for entitlement to benefits.

The Department has previously published evidence on the impact of Work Coach Support on Claimant outcomes including JSA Weekly Signing (2015) and the Intensive Activity Programme (2015) JSA Weekly Signing(opens in a new tab) (2015): Jobseeker’s Allowance signing trials (publishing.service.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab) Intensive Activity Programme(opens in a new tab) (2015): Intensive Activity Programme trial evaluation: evidence synthesis (publishing.service.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2023 to Question 146951 on Access to Work Programme, how many advisors there are in each region.

There are 303 Case Managers (Advisors) in Access to Work (ATW), out of the 451 currently employed ATW colleagues.

The programme is delivered nationally, so covers all regions and colleagues are based across 5 sites:

  • Barnsley;
  • Bradford;
  • Halifax;
  • Harrow; and
  • Salford.
Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2023 to Question 133981 on Employment Data Lab, when he plans to publish the two further evaluations.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to PQ 142681 on 24 February 2023.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish his Department's review into workforce progression.

The Spring Budget focused on the key groups considered in the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions review into workforce participation, including: disabled people and those with health conditions, the over-50s, parents and carers, people who are on UC and working fewer than full time hours.

The Spring Budget and Health and Disability White Paper set out a significant and wide-ranging package of measures designed to support people to enter work, increase their working hours and extend their working lives.

DWP Budget measures represent an investment of £3.5bn over 5 years to boost workforce participation.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the annual costs are of the Employment Data Lab; and how many people work in that lab.

The Employment Data Lab team consists of three analysts. There are no other ongoing costs associated with the Employment Data Lab.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many advisers are employed by his Department to process and support Access to Work applications.

The total number of colleagues employed by the department to process and support Access to Work applications is 451. A further 50 colleagues have been recruited and will join the team in March and April 2023.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2023 to Question 133981, when his Department plans to complete the evaluations.

By Autumn 2023, subject to complexity and the outcome of quality assurance processes.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data his Department holds on the underspend for the (a) Restart and (b) Kickstart schemes as of 7 February 2023.

The last published / audited figures showing the Restart position are from 21/22.

Budget

Forecast

Overspend

£m

£m

£m

21/22

333.9

343.8

9.9

a) Kickstart

Grants were awarded in response to the economy's demand for the creation of additional jobs. Almost immediately after Kickstart launched, the economic situation changed significantly, lowering immediate demand for the scheme.

The Department spend on Kickstart for 21/22 was £855.9m. Surplus funding of £96.9m was returned to HMT at year end. This is in line with the normal budgeting process.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefits claimants see a work coach each week.

The information not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 21 December 2022 to Question 110674 on Department for Work and Pensions: Flexible Working, if he will publish all internal guidance documentation on flexible working in his Department.

DWP’s flexible working policies are published on its internal Intranet for its employees, managers, and trade union representatives to use. There are currently no plans to publish them externally.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many district level progression leads have been recruited.

The recruitment of District Progression Leads is being completed in line with the roll out of the In Work Progression offer across the country. So far, 10 districts have gone live with the In Work Progression Voluntary offer and have a District Progression Lead in place and the remaining 27 districts will go live and recruit Progression Leads by the end of March 2023.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review on workforce participation will consider students.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Secretary of State to look in detail at the issue of workforce participation, to identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce or resulting in people leaving the workforce early.

The Department is working across government to identify and help address the causes of economic inactivity, building on the Government’s existing package of support to help people start, stay and succeed in work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 19 January 2023 to Question 120945 on Older Workers: Early Retirement, what forecasts his Department has commissioned of the number of older workers who may retire early in future cohorts.

The Department has not commissioned forecasts of the number of future early retirees.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) temporary and (b) permanent job centres there are at the (i) national (ii) regional and (iii) district level.

(a) 194 Temporary Jobcentre REEP (Rapid Estate Expansion Programme), 14 REEP sites are co-sited with permanent (established) Jobcentres.

(b) 639 Permanent (established) Jobcentres

Temporary Jobcentres: Regional level

Region

#

Central & West Scotland

4

East & North Scotland

7

London & Essex

41

North & East Midlands

20

North Central

19

North East

12

North West

20

South East

31

South West

15

Wales

6

West Midlands

19

Grand Total

194

Temporary Jobcentres: District level

District

#

Avon, Somerset & Gloucestershire

4

Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

6

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire

7

Birmingham & Solihull

5

Black Country

6

Cheshire

3

Cumbria & Lancashire

5

Devon & Cornwall

5

Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight

6

Durham & Tees Valley

4

East Anglia

5

East London

11

East Scotland

3

Essex

5

Greater Manchester

11

Kent

8

Leicestershire & Northampton

4

Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland

3

Mercia

8

Merseyside

6

Midland Shires

8

North & Mid Wales

3

North East Scotland

3

North East Yorkshire & Humber

3

North London

6

Northern Scotland

1

Northumberland, Tyne & Wear

5

South East Wales

2

South London

12

South West Scotland

2

South West Wales

1

South Yorkshire

4

Surrey & Sussex

10

West London

7

West Scotland

2

West Yorkshire

10

Grand Total

194

Permanent (established) Jobcentres

Region

#

Central & West Scotland

40

East & North Scotland

44

London & Essex

63

North & East Midlands

87

North Central

54

North East

59

North West

54

South East

61

South West

74

Wales

60

West Midlands

43

Grand Total

639

District

#

Avon, Somerset & Gloucestershire

23

Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

13

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire

14

Birmingham & Solihull

13

Black Country

14

Central Scotland

7

Cheshire

9

Cumbria & Lancashire

22

Devon & Cornwall

22

Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight

29

Durham & Tees Valley

21

East Anglia

26

East London

10

East Scotland

22

Essex

14

Greater Manchester

28

Kent

13

Leicestershire & Northampton

14

Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland

19

Mercia

16

Merseyside

17

Midland Shires

28

North & Mid Wales

21

North East Scotland

10

North East Yorkshire & Humber

18

North London

11

Northern Scotland

12

Northumberland, Tyne & Wear

20

South East Wales

17

South London

14

South West Scotland

11

South West Wales

22

South Yorkshire

13

Surrey & Sussex

21

West London

14

West Scotland

22

West Yorkshire

19

Grand Total

639

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review of workforce participation will consider the role of public transport.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Secretary of State to look in detail at the issue of workforce participation, to identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce or resulting in people leaving the workforce early.

The Department is working across government to identify and help address the causes of economic inactivity, building on the Government’s existing package of support to help people start, stay and succeed in work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review into workforce participation will include the impact of childcare costs on participation in the workforce.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Secretary of State to look in detail at the issue of workforce participation, to identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce or resulting in people leaving the workforce early.

The Department is working across government to identify and help address the causes of economic inactivity, building on the Government’s existing package of support to help people start, stay and succeed in work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review on workforce participation will consider the role of unpaid carers.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Secretary of State to look in detail at the issue of workforce participation, to identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce or resulting in people leaving the workforce early.

The Department is working across government to identify and help address the causes of economic inactivity, building on the Government’s existing package of support to help people start, stay and succeed in work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long on average a work coach meeting with a claimant lasts for.

The Department does not record and then collate the timing of every work coach’s interaction with every claimant. To do so would incur disproportionate cost.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent on delivery of support by (a) job centres and (b) work coaches since 2011.

The department does not account for Job Centre expenditure as a whole. Departmental Estates and IT costs are accounted for centrally and not charged to Job Centres. To provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

The cost of Work Coaches is provided below, where available;

£m

2021/22

951.4

2020/21

689.0

2019/20

570.0

2018/19

564.3

2017/18

542.0

2016/17

542.8

2015/16

533.9

Data for years prior to this is not available.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the capacity for the Employment Data Lab is to carry out evaluations on how many impact assessments are underway or planned.

The Employment Data Lab have completed and published one evaluation to date. Two more evaluations are underway, and the team are actively engaged in on-going discussions with a further eight organisations regarding participation.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's Press release entitled £122 million employment boost for people receiving mental health support, published on 10 October 2022, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of £122 million funding on helping people (a) find and (b) into work.

The £122m funding will enable the expansion of Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies from the current 40% of England to the whole of England by Summer 2024. This joint programme by DWP, DHSC, and NHS England will see the recruitment of around an additional 700 employment advisers to support people with common mental health conditions to improve their mental health, whilst also helping them stay in, or find, work.

As the Employment Advisers programme is rolled out across England, we will be evaluating the impact on health and employment.

Evaluation of the trial of the service (across 40% of England) showed that Employment Advisers had a positive impact on mental health across all Talking Therapy client groups. Those who were out of work at entry to the service were 6 percentage points more likely to be in work at the end of treatment, compared to a matched comparison group which received IAPT support only.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the underspend on the Restart scheme contract exceeded £1.2 billion.

As per the NAO report, the original estimated cost for Restart was £2.58bn, this has been revised to £1.68bn creating a £0.9m underspend.

The underspend is not expected to exceed £1.2bn. The original value of the contracts was £2.6bn. As explained in the accounting officer note in July 2022 and the NAO report, the lower numbers participating in the programme due to the better than anticipated labour market position means the spend is expected to be around £1.7bn – so the underspend is expected to be around £0.9bn. Payment is contingent on performance and that the Department retains options to refer more people and to extend the programme so we cannot yet confirm a final spend figure for the programme.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to publish regular performance data on the Restart scheme.

The department published statistics on the Restart Scheme on 15th December 2022.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review on workforce participation will include an understanding of the potential effect of (a) NHS waiting lists and (b) Long Covid on labour supply.

The review will identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce and/or resulting in people leaving the workforce early. People with health conditions are a key focus of the review.

This review will build on the government’s existing package of support to help people with health conditions to start, stay and succeed in work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review on workforce participation will consider measures that could be taken by the (a) Government and (b) employers to encourage future age cohorts to remain in the workforce.

The government is clear that increasing labour supply is a key priority.

The department is considering a wide range of factors in the review on workforce participation, we will build on the governments existing package of support to do this.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department's review on workforce participation will assess whether future cohorts of older workers will retire earlier in greater numbers.

The review will identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce and/or resulting in people leaving the workforce early. Early retirees are a key focus of the review.

This review will build on the government’s existing package of support to help older workers to start, stay and succeed in work.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department's review of workforce participation will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) different types of pensions systems and (b) the furlough scheme on economic inactivity.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Secretary of State to look in detail at the issue of workforce participation.

We will be looking to identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce and/or resulting in people leaving the workforce early.

The work will focus on four cohorts: early retirees, those with a disability or health condition, unpaid carers, and students.

a) DWP are working with HMT to consider if there are potential links between pensions and economic activity.

b) DWP has worked with a range of government departments to understand the labour market impact of the furlough scheme. The available evidence on the labour impact of the furlough scheme will be reviewed where relevant to the four cohorts being focused on.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report entitled Where have all the workers gone, published on 20 December 2022, whether his Department's review of issues holding back workforce participation, as announced in the Autumn Statement on 17 November 2022, plans to cover (a) whether sectors of the workforce will need to adapt by re-organising the way they produce their output, for example by replacing labour with automation or changes to terms and conditions, (b) in instances where those sectors are unable to adapt, whether they will become smaller than they would have been and (c) whether a Government policy response is necessary on these matters.

The government is clear that increasing labour supply is a key priority.

We will identify and understand the barriers preventing people from joining the workforce and/or resulting in people leaving the workforce early and will be focussing on four cohorts: early retirees, disabled people and people with health conditions, unpaid carers, and students.

How firms adapt to a changing labour market will depend on their type of business, for example, in the case of manufacturing we want more manufacturers to adopt technology that will improve productivity and stimulate growth, including robotics and automation and we have programmes that support them to do this. This includes the Made Smarter programme which has committed almost £200m in funding to large manufacturers and SMEs to develop new technology solutions and adopt existing tech, including robotics and autonomous systems.

We will work with other government departments and engage with a wide network of stakeholders, including economists, academics, charities, industry/business representatives and research organisations, to gather insight and develop new ideas to tackle the issue.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Autumn Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17 November, Official Report column 848, what estimate he has made of when his Department's review of issues holding back workforce participation will be published.

The Department is examining workforce participation and economic inactivity. This work is ongoing.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy is on flexible working for its employees.

All colleagues have access to a flexi time scheme, with the exception of those in Senior Civil Service roles. Those in certain roles may also work some of their time at home as ‘hybrid workers’. In addition, eligible employees can also apply for flexible working and in compliance with the Employment Rights Act 1996, each application would be considered on its merits taking account of all the relevant circumstances. Most commonly this would be applications to work part-time or part-year hours.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department plans to reallocate the underspend from the Plan for Jobs in the 2020-21 financial year.

DWP drew-down £1.2billion in additional funding at Supplementary Estimates in February 2021 to fund the Plan for Jobs. The Department’s budget for 2021/22, including the funding available for the Plan for Jobs in that year, was set as part of the Spending Review (SR) 2020.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people claiming Universal Credit are subject to third party deductions as of 12 December 2022; and what the median deduction was.

Figures for the period to 12 December 2022 are not yet available.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2022 to Question 58983 on Universal Credit, if he will provide that information for the period to 12 December 2022.

Figures for the period to 12 December 2022 are not yet available.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2022 on Question 86672 on Restart Scheme: Disclosure of Information, when he expects the Department to complete its plan to publish official statistics on the Restart Scheme.

The department plans to release an ad hoc publication of official statistics for the Restart Scheme today.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his oral evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee on 30 November 2022, HC 549, if he will publish the outcomes of research on the definitions of economically inactive groups.

The independent ONS publish data on economic inactivity taken from the Labour Force Survey. The Department is examining workforce participation and economic inactivity.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
25th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 22 November to Question 87831, for what reason no assessment has been made.

The Department is examining workforce participation and economic inactivity. This work is ongoing.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Autumn Statement 2022, CP 751, published on 17 November 2022, whether contribution based benefits will increase in line with inflation.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has completed his annual up-rating review and announced that State Pension and benefits rates will increase in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for the year to September 2022. This means they will increase by 10.1% from 10 April 2023. This includes the contribution-based benefits: Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance.

A full table of rates will be published in the House libraries and on gov.uk in due course.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential causes of increases in economic inactivity.

No such assessment has been made.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2022 to Question 15187 on Kickstart Scheme, what the total number of work placements provided by the Kickstart Scheme was as of 15 November 2022.

As of 15 November 2022, over 163,000 Kickstart jobs had been started by young people.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to publish its response to the independent review of the In-Work Progression Commission.

The Government recognises the importance of supporting people to progress in work and welcomes Baroness McGregor-Smith’s report. We have considered her recommendations carefully and a response setting out the government’s approach to progression will be published in due course.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what job outcomes have been achieved each month since the Restart programme started.

The department is continuing to develop its plan to publish official statistics on the Restart Scheme.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many starts there have been since the Restart programme started, by month.

The department is continuing to develop its plan to publish official statistics on the Restart Scheme.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to publish regular performance data on the Restart programme, including the number of people (a) starting on the programme and (b) securing a job outcome.

The department is continuing to develop its plan to publish official statistics on the Restart Scheme.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long her Department takes on average to process a complaint referred to the Independent Case Examiner.

The Independent Case Examiner (ICE) service standards set out how long it should take the office to deal with complaints. These service standards are published on gov.uk. The ICE Annual Report for 2021-22 will be published shortly.

The ICE process has a number of stages. Once a referral has been accepted as a complaint, the ICE office initially considers whether, without undertaking a detailed examination of the evidence, a resolution can be brokered with the relevant department or its supplier. If resolution cannot be achieved, the case awaits allocation to an investigator who, following a review of the evidence, will first consider if settlement is appropriate. This requires the relevant department or its supplier to agree action with the complainant. Full investigation reports of detailing findings and any recommendations for redress are based on a thorough examination of case evidence. (Cases are currently brought into investigation according to the date on which the complaint was accepted.)

The office aims to resolve complaints within 8 weeks of the complaint being accepted for examination, settle complaints within 15 weeks of the complaint being allocated to an investigator and complete a full investigation within 20 weeks of the complaint being allocated to an investigator.

Details of the ICE office performance from 1 April 2022 – 31 October 2022 (YTD) are below:

Resolution:

The average clearance time in those cases that were resolved was 8.31 weeks from the point the complaint was accepted for examination.

Settlement:

The average clearance time in those cases that were settled was 6.19 weeks from the point the complaint was allocated to an Investigation Case Manager.

Investigation Reports:

The average clearance time in those cases that resulted in an ICE investigation report was 27.4 weeks from the point the complaint was allocated to an investigator.

There is no service standard for the time a complaint awaits allocation to an investigator, as allocation is dependent on multiple factors, including the volume and complexity of complaints received, as well as available investigative resource.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work coaches were employed by her Department as of 11 November 2022.

We have dedicated work coaches across the country providing tailored support to help people, in all circumstances, into work and to increase their hours. Staff numbers are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the staffing level is of the Independent Complaint Examiner's office; and how and what proportion of staff vacancies it has in relation to the Office’s complement as of 9 November 2022.

The office of the Independent Case Examiner currently has a headcount of 97 (93.11 FTE) and is aiming to recruit up to 99 FTE by March 2023.

An internal recruitment campaign is underway for up to eight more investigators, which takes account of likely short-term turnover.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to take steps to offer services to replace the support offered to young people by Youth Employment Hubs in areas where they have closed down.

We understand the significance local knowledge can play in providing tailored support. Our DWP Youth Hubs provide a range of services adapted to local needs and are a starting place for young people.

Partnership working is central to the DWP Youth Offer. Through our partnership network we are engaging with a broad spectrum of providers including colleges, charities, and local authorities to develop place-based responses that support youth employment, including where appropriate, through Youth Hubs.

Our locally formed and locally led Hubs bring together partner organisations and offer skills, training, and employment provisions. We empower our DWP Work Coaches within each Hub to maintain a youth friendly environment and support our young Universal Credit claimants looking to move in to work.

As part of the DWP Youth Offer we provide intensive support during the first 13 weeks of a claim to help young people access the right opportunities for them and Youth Employability Coaches (YECs) who are helping young people overcome complex barriers to employment, as well as offering 6 weeks of in-work support once they move into work. YECs work closely alongside Disability Employment Advisors to support those with disabilities and health conditions, and partner organisations who can provide specialist advice.

There were over 160 locally lead Youth Hubs open in January 2022. As of 8 November 2022, there are over 150 open Youth Hubs. Youth Hubs and their services are based in external partner owned premises. Local DWP teams and external partners delivering Youth Hubs jointly discuss the ongoing need for hubs in particular areas and take account of a range of factors, notably the number of young Universal Credit claimants searching for employment in that local area.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many youth employment hubs there were in January 2022; and how many and what proportion of those hubs have not been told they are closing and remain open as of 8 November 2022.

We understand the significance local knowledge can play in providing tailored support. Our DWP Youth Hubs provide a range of services adapted to local needs and are a starting place for young people.

Partnership working is central to the DWP Youth Offer. Through our partnership network we are engaging with a broad spectrum of providers including colleges, charities, and local authorities to develop place-based responses that support youth employment, including where appropriate, through Youth Hubs.

Our locally formed and locally led Hubs bring together partner organisations and offer skills, training, and employment provisions. We empower our DWP Work Coaches within each Hub to maintain a youth friendly environment and support our young Universal Credit claimants looking to move in to work.

As part of the DWP Youth Offer we provide intensive support during the first 13 weeks of a claim to help young people access the right opportunities for them and Youth Employability Coaches (YECs) who are helping young people overcome complex barriers to employment, as well as offering 6 weeks of in-work support once they move into work. YECs work closely alongside Disability Employment Advisors to support those with disabilities and health conditions, and partner organisations who can provide specialist advice.

There were over 160 locally lead Youth Hubs open in January 2022. As of 8 November 2022, there are over 150 open Youth Hubs. Youth Hubs and their services are based in external partner owned premises. Local DWP teams and external partners delivering Youth Hubs jointly discuss the ongoing need for hubs in particular areas and take account of a range of factors, notably the number of young Universal Credit claimants searching for employment in that local area.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what processes his Department has in place to help (a) support the operation of and (b) keep open youth employment hubs.

We understand the significance local knowledge can play in providing tailored support. Our DWP Youth Hubs provide a range of services adapted to local needs and are a starting place for young people.

Partnership working is central to the DWP Youth Offer. Through our partnership network we are engaging with a broad spectrum of providers including colleges, charities, and local authorities to develop place-based responses that support youth employment, including where appropriate, through Youth Hubs.

Our locally formed and locally led Hubs bring together partner organisations and offer skills, training, and employment provisions. We empower our DWP Work Coaches within each Hub to maintain a youth friendly environment and support our young Universal Credit claimants looking to move in to work.

As part of the DWP Youth Offer we provide intensive support during the first 13 weeks of a claim to help young people access the right opportunities for them and Youth Employability Coaches (YECs) who are helping young people overcome complex barriers to employment, as well as offering 6 weeks of in-work support once they move into work. YECs work closely alongside Disability Employment Advisors to support those with disabilities and health conditions, and partner organisations who can provide specialist advice.

There were over 160 locally lead Youth Hubs open in January 2022. As of 8 November 2022, there are over 150 open Youth Hubs. Youth Hubs and their services are based in external partner owned premises. Local DWP teams and external partners delivering Youth Hubs jointly discuss the ongoing need for hubs in particular areas and take account of a range of factors, notably the number of young Universal Credit claimants searching for employment in that local area.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken modelling of the expected impact of raising the administrative earnings threshold on levels of sanctions imposed on Universal credit claimants.

All requirements are set following discussion with the claimant, tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable. They take account of health, caring responsibilities, ongoing work or volunteering and any earnings.

It is not possible to do modelling for the claimants who have been affected by the changes to the Administrative Earnings Threshold. This is because we cannot determine in advance if a claimant does not meet their requirements.

People are only sanctioned if they fail to meet their agreed requirements without good reason.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
2nd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on the timely and sufficient payment of child maintenance to resident parents; and what steps she is taking to ensure resident parents receive those payments.

In the quarter to June 22, 32,000 new applications were made which is a 64% increase in applications compared to December 2021 (Child Maintenance Service statistics: data to June 2022 (experimental)). The impact of the cost-of-living crisis may be influencing parents with care to apply in higher volumes as they seek more formal arrangements to receive regular child maintenance.

We recognise the increasing cost of living may impact upon the affordability of child maintenance payments and we will continue to develop referral pathways to forms of support such as mediation, financial support and debt advice.

Where a parent can pay, but chooses not to, we will continue to take robust action. Since 2012, when CMS began, we have collected and arranged 92% of all maintenance due to be paid.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2022 to Question 23742 on Jobcentres: Standards, whether his Department has published the service delivery framework.

The Service Delivery Framework was previously published on the 'what do they know' website in December 2021 in response to a Freedom of Information request.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/817173/response/1947859/attach/4/Service%20Delivery%20Framework%20Jobcentre.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1.

The department intends to publish an updated version on the House of Commons library in the coming weeks.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 30 June to Question 23741, what breakdowns they have of those on out of work benefits; and what plans her Department has to review this data.

Statistics on the number of individuals in receipt of Universal Credit broken down by employment status are published every three months, with the latest data available to August 2022, on Stat-Xplore. The statistics can be broken down by age, gender, conditionality group, duration on UC and geography.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has set a target for the number of staff to be re-deployed to other roles as a result of job centre closures.

The Department’s Written Statement on 20 July 2022 set out plans to gradually improve the Jobcentre estate. When the Department closes a poor quality site and relocates to better-quality accommodation it is anticipated, due to the close proximity of the better sites, that all public facing Jobcentre staff will be able to move to the new site. There is therefore no target for the redeployment of staff when an established Jobcentre closes.

If a member of staff is unable to relocate to the alternative Jobcentre location in their current job role, then every effort is made to redeploy them to another role within the Department.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work coaches were employed in job centres as of 31 October 2022; and how many such coaches were employed in job centres on the same date in each of the previous five years.

Please find the data and number in relation to Work Coaches as listed below. For clarity these are Full time equivalents (FTE) and not individual staff members.

Work Coach ABM FTE

Oct-22

15,249.07

Oct-21

21,469.57

Oct-20

16,427.89

Oct-19

12,324.98

Oct-18

12,493.22

Oct-17

13,008.98

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff have left his Department since June 2022.

4453 staff left the DWP June 2022 to September 2022, of which, 1379 staff were Fixed Term Appointments (FTA).

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10 May 2022 to Question 234 on Restart Scheme, when the National Audit Office plans to release its findings of their review of the Restart Scheme.

The National Audit Office have advised us that the report on the Restart Scheme is due for publication on 2 December 2022.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of the people who stopped claiming unemployment related benefits (a) moved to other benefits, (b) moved to other conditionality groups and (c) stopped receiving benefits altogether in the period between September 2021 and February 2022; and if she will make an estimate of the number of people who (i) stopped claiming unemployment related benefits in that period and (ii) moved from benefits into work during her Department's Way to Work campaign.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Alternative Claimant Count (ACC) provides a measure of the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits, and off-flows from the ACC are available here.

Between September 2021 and February 2022 there were just under 2 million off-flows from the ACC. This represents a count of off-flows, not individual people, as it is possible to flow on / off benefit multiple times within this period.

As of 25 July, 539,200 unemployed Universal Credit claimants and Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants have moved into work during the Way to Work Campaign between 31 January and 30 June 2022. This includes claimants who remained on benefits after starting work.

Julie Marson
Assistant Whip
21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long on average people who are claiming Universal Credit are having to wait to be reimbursed for childcare costs as of 21 July 2022.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Where childcare is delivered during an assessment period, the cost paid for that childcare will be reimbursed at the end of the assessment period in which it is delivered. In order to be reimbursed, childcare costs can be reported to DWP up to the end of the assessment period following the assessment period in which they were paid.

The exact waiting time for reimbursement, therefore, depends on how far in advance a claimant pays their childcare provider and how soon the claimant reports those costs to DWP.

UC claimants who need help with upfront childcare costs to enter employment or significantly increase their working hours can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund (FSF). This is non-repayable and will pay their initial childcare costs directly to the provider up to the first salary received.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate the Government has made of the number of women in England who are unable to take on more paid work as a result of the cost of childcare.

No assessment has been made.

The Department is aware that for some UC claimants' childcare costs presents challenges to entering employment. To support parents to become financially resilient by moving into work and progressing in work, eligible UC claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month regardless of the number of hours they work, compared to 70% in Tax Credits. This is up to the maximum amount of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 per month for two or more children. For families with two children, this could be worth over £13,000 a year.

This support is available to all lone parents and couples, regardless of the number of hours they work. For couples, both parents need to be in paid work to be eligible unless one of the allowable exceptions is met.

The UC childcare policy aligns with the wider government childcare offer in England and there are similar funded early learning offers in devolved nations. The Free Childcare offer provides 15 hours a week of free childcare in England for all 3- and 4-year old's and disadvantaged 2-year old's, doubling for working parents of 3 and 4 year old's to 30 hours a week.

The UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant's eligible free childcare hours if more hours are worked and childcare required. This offer means that for some claimants' childcare costs should not present any barriers to entering work.

UC claimants who need help with upfront childcare costs to enter employment or significantly increase their working hours can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund (FSF). This is non-repayable and will pay their initial childcare costs directly to the provider up to the first salary received.

Through a staged rollout from April 2022 onwards, 2.1m low paid Universal Credit claimants will be eligible for support to progress into higher paid work. This will be provided by work coaches and focus on career progression advice, such as considering skills gaps, identifying training opportunities, or looking for opportunities for the claimant to progress in their current role or in a new role. Jobcentres will be supported in this new role by a network of 37 Progression Champions across Great Britain who will spearhead the scheme. They will work with partners to address local barriers that limit progression, such as transport and childcare.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
20th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants found work through the Way to Work campaign between (a) July and December 2021 and (b) January and June 2021.

The Way to Work campaign was launched on 26 January 2022 so there was no Way to Work campaign relating to the periods in question.

Julie Marson
Assistant Whip
20th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which benefit (a) categories and (b) conditionality groups were included in her Department's Way to Work campaign.

Way to Work was aimed at all job-ready claimants on Universal Credit and New Style Jobseekers Allowance in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Julie Marson
Assistant Whip
20th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the number of people who left the Universal Credit searching for work conditionality group in the period from January to June 2022; and whether their reason for leaving was to (a) join another conditionality group or (b) leave benefits altogether.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Alternative Claimant Count (ACC) provides a measure of the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits. The number of off-flows from the ACC, and for the Universal Credit Searching for Work conditionality group component of the ACC, are available here.

Between January 2022 and May 2022 there were 1.36 million off-flows from this group. This represents a count of off-flows, not individual people, as it is possible to flow in and out of this group multiple times within this period.

Julie Marson
Assistant Whip
18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the impact of increases in the cost of living on payments made by non-resident parents.

Child maintenance payments made by the non-resident parent are designed to be fair and affordable whilst ensuring they contribute a significant amount of their income to support any children they no longer live with.

A banding system ensures that the very lowest earners pay a flat rate of £7 per week, and those with no income pay nothing. Those that can afford to make a bigger contribution do so at a rate that reflects what they earn.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the current amount of unpaid payments by non-resident parents is; and what steps the Child Maintenance Service is taking to recoup outstanding monies.

The Child Maintenance Service actively pursues all outstanding child maintenance using a variety of enforcement options including deductions from earnings, deductions from benefits and identifying and securing cash balances and assets through its enforcement actions. If non compliance persists then sanctions including commitment to prison or the disqualification of a driving licence and removal of passport is considered.

The Child Maintenance Service has focussed efforts to influence and enforce payment where a paying parent refuses to pay but has an ability to pay. The department has reduced its unpaid debt through the collect and pay service to an all time low of 8.3% of the total liabilities raised as at March 2022 compared to 9.9% in March 2020.

(Child Maintenance Service statistics: data to March 2022, National tables: Child Maintenance Service statistics, date to March 2022 table six).

Link attached showing the unpaid child maintenance through Collect and Pay from March 2015 to March 22 for your convenience.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-statistics-data-to-march-2022-experimental

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to publish its response to the independent review of the In-Work Progression Commission.

We aim to publish our response to the In-work Progression Commission's report in due course.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, has the opportunity to start, stay in and progress in work. That is why we are extending the support Jobcentres provide to people in work and on low incomes to help them to increase their earnings and move into better paid quality jobs.

Through a staged roll-out which started in April 2022, around 2.1m low-paid benefit claimants will be eligible for support to progress into higher-paid or better quality work. This support is being provided by Work Coaches and focuses on removing barriers to progression and providing advice, such as considering skills gaps and identifying training, or looking for progression opportunities for individuals in their current role or supporting them into a new role.  Jobcentres will be supported in this new role by a new network of 37 Progression Champions across Great Britain who will spearhead the scheme.  Progression Champions will work with key partners, including local government, employers, and skills providers to identify and develop local progression opportunities. They will also work with partners to address local barriers that limit progression such as childcare and transport.

Julie Marson
Assistant Whip
23rd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the performance management framework for (a) work coaches and (b) managers of Jobcentre Plus districts includes an assessment of the number of people in their caseloads who find work.

Our Jobcentre teams are committed to delivering a quality service to ensure all claimants receive the best possible support to meet their individual circumstances. Our service delivery framework sets out the service expectations for our Jobcentre network and the requirements for how they deliver their services. The framework doesn't include an assessment of the number of people who move into work. Line managers coach their teams to ensure Work Coaches are skilled and empowered to manage their caseloads and are focussed on helping claimants move into or closer to work.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) data sources and (b) management information her Department uses to assess how many people on out of work benefits move into work.

The Department uses internal Universal Credit (UC) Management Information and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Real Time Information data, to assess the number of people entering work.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many refugees have been interviewed at job centres in each year since 2017.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the data her Department holds on the referrals of benefit claimants for digital skills training by Job Centre Plus to providers in 2021.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer given to PQ15249

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the data her Department holds on the referrals of benefit claimants for numeracy training by Job Centre Plus to providers in 2021.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer given to PQ15249

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the data her Department holds on the referrals of benefit claimants for literacy training by Job Centre Plus to providers in 2021.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer given to PQ15249

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 17 June to Question 15255, how long the audit will take.

The 2021-22 ARA will be published on the 7 July. This year’s reported expenditure will include a breakdown of our Employment programmes expenditure.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer received on 17 June to Question 15254, how long the audit will take.

The 2021-22 ARA will be published on the 7 July. This year’s reported expenditure will include a breakdown of our Employment programmes expenditure.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 17 June to Question 15252, if his Department will publish the guidance produced in support of performance measures and delivery of the Way to Work campaign.

Way to Work is a campaign to move 500,000 job-ready Universal Credit and Job Seekers Allowance claimants into work by the end of June 2022, it is not a new policy and we have not produced specific guidance in relation to Way to Work. The focus is to support people into work swiftly by using the strength of the jobs market and we are working closely with employers to help claimants into jobs quicker, as well as strengthening our core support for jobseekers.

Universal Credit guidance is deposited in the House of Commons library twice a year, the latest published guidance was deposited on 26 April 2022 and can be found here.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Department for Work and Pensions staff are in receipt of universal credit.

Employees claiming Universal Credit have no obligation to inform DWP they are receiving benefits.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department provides to Universal Credit claimants on (a) payment of childcare and (b) support in accessing free childcare when appropriate.

Through Universal Credit, eligible parents can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month up to the maximum amount of £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children each month, regardless of the number of hours they work. For those who need extra financial support for their first set of childcare costs when moving in to work, or when they are significantly increasing their work hours, they can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund. Importantly, the UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible 15 or 30 hours of free childcare if further childcare is required to support a working parent.

We also have products in place to ensure Work Coaches are able to explain the free childcare offer to parents. Work coaches signpost to the Childcare Choices website for more information about the wider Government childcare offers available.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available for Universal Credit claimants to access a registered or approved childcare provider.

Through Universal Credit, eligible parents can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month up to the maximum amount of £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children each month, regardless of the number of hours they work. For those who need extra financial support for their first set of childcare costs when moving in to work, or when they are significantly increasing their work hours, they can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund. Importantly, the UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible 15 or 30 hours of free childcare if further childcare is required to support a working parent.

We also have products in place to ensure Work Coaches are able to explain the free childcare offer to parents. Work coaches signpost to the Childcare Choices website for more information about the wider Government childcare offers available.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data her Department collects via the Universal Credit journal on claimants' skill (a) levels and (b) needs; and whether data collected is used to identify (i) potential barriers to work and (ii) the support, including training, needed to overcome those barriers.

The Universal Credit journal is not intended to collect data on claimant’s skills, levels and needs. It is a service used by claimants and staff to communicate and is one of several channels for claimants to notify of changes, ask for help or update the work coach on job search activities.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants were referred by Jobcentre Plus to providers for digital skills training in 2021, broken down by UK region, London and mayoral combined authority, age, ethnicity, gender and disability.

The information requested is not readily available. Jobcentre Plus works in partnership with local training providers to ensure/facilitate delivery of essential communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy skills and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training to unemployed benefit claimants in England, Scotland and Wales. Wider adult education and skills policy is the responsibility of the Department for Education in England and devolved to the Scottish and Welsh Governments in Scotland and Wales.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants were referred by Jobcentre Plus to providers for numeracy training in 2021, broken down by UK region, London and mayoral combined authority, age, ethnicity, gender and disability.

The information requested is not readily available. Jobcentre Plus works in partnership with local training providers to ensure/facilitate delivery of essential communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy skills and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training to unemployed benefit claimants in England, Scotland and Wales. Wider adult education and skills policy is the responsibility of the Department for Education in England and devolved to the Scottish and Welsh Governments in Scotland and Wales.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants were referred by Jobcentre Plus to providers for training literacy in 2021, broken down by UK region, London and mayoral combined authority, age, ethnicity, gender and disability.

The information requested is not readily available. Jobcentre Plus works in partnership with local training providers to ensure/facilitate delivery of essential communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy skills and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training to unemployed benefit claimants in England, Scotland and Wales. Wider adult education and skills policy is the responsibility of the Department for Education in England and devolved to the Scottish and Welsh Governments in Scotland and Wales.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2022 to Question 4563 on Kickstart Scheme: Finance, what total amount of Kickstart Scheme funding from her Department was handed back to the Treasury at the end of the financial year 2020-21.

In the financial year 2020-21, DWP obtained £25m ring-fenced funding for the Kickstart Scheme. None of the £25m was subsequently returned to HM Treasury.

DWP’s 2021-22 financial accounts are currently being audited, so we are unable to provide this information.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2022 to Question 4563 on Kickstart Scheme: Finance, how much and what proportion of Kickstart Scheme funding from the her Department was handed back at the end of the financial year 2021-22.

In the financial year 2020-21, DWP obtained £25m ring-fenced funding for the Kickstart Scheme. None of the £25m was subsequently returned to HM Treasury.

DWP’s 2021-22 financial accounts are currently being audited, so we are unable to provide this information.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 25 May 2022 to Question 5651, on Way to Work Scheme, if his Department will publish the modelling referred to in that answer and any forecasts generated.

The Way to Work campaign is scheduled to conclude at the end of June, after which, we aim to publish details of the movements into work achieved during the campaign.

The data we are using to measure performance through Way to Work is experimental and was developed to support delivery. We will use the insights of this data, as well as wider learning from the preparation, delivery and outcomes of the campaign to inform ongoing policy development at the Department. As this process is ongoing, we have no plans to publish any modelling prepared for Way to Work.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to publish its response to Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith’s review into in-work progression.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, has the opportunity to start, stay and progress in work. We aim to publish our response to the In-work Progression Commission's report as soon as possible, where we will set out our new approach to supporting people on low pay and helping them to progress in work.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the data underlying Table 4 in her Department's recent paper entitled Completing the Move to Universal Credit: Our 2022-24 strategy for implementing the final phase of Universal Credit, published in April 2022.

The requested information is provided in the attached methodology document ‘Universal Credit Full-Service employment impact evaluation’.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Universal Credit Statistics Release Strategy published on 23 March 2022, when her Department plans to start publishing experimental statistics on flows between conditionality groups, including flows on and off Universal Credit.

Universal Credit statistics, with respect to conditionality regimes and flows, are still under development, as detailed in section 4 of the Department’s statistical work programme. The production of these statistics is dependent on further data development. Progress on these developments will be provided through the Universal Credit Statistics bulletin and the Statistical Work Programme and then pre-announced in the statistics release calendar.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people claiming Universal Credit and in the searching for work conditionality group as at January 2021 found a job within (a) six and (b) 12 months of being placed in the searching for work group; and how for how long those people held that job.

The Information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost because the required information is not all readily available to analysts in a format that would enable them to undertake the analysis and quality assure the figures, to answer this PQ in the timescales.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of whether the economic and fiscal benefits outlined in the Universal Credit Full Business Case Summary, published on 7 June 2018, have been delivered.

The performance of Universal Credit (UC) continues to be monitored as we proceed to complete the move to Universal Credit. As implementation of UC is not yet complete, it is not possible to carry out a full assessment of the 2018 Business Case.

Since first being introduced in 2013, Universal Credit (UC) has streamlined and simplified the benefits system to better support those in work on low incomes, as well as those who are unemployed or who cannot work. By improving work incentives and support, Universal Credit helped deliver the highest ever level of employment seen in this country just before COVID hit. A dynamic benefit that reflects people’s needs from month to month, Universal Credit successfully supported millions of people and processed a ten-fold surge in claims during the pandemic, when legacy systems would have collapsed.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
24th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he would make an assessment of how long it would take to implement an uplift to (a) Universal Credit and (b) legacy benefits.

There are no plans to make an assessment of how long it would take to implement an uplift to Universal Credit and Legacy Benefits.

The government is providing over £15bn in further support, targeted particularly on those with the greatest need. This package is in addition to the over £22bn announced previously, with government support for the cost of living now totalling over £37bn this year. This means that millions of the most vulnerable households will get £1,200 of one-off support in total this year to help with the cost of living, with all domestic electricity customers receiving at least £400.

This additional support means that eight million households on means-tested benefits will get £650 paid directly into their bank accounts in two lump sums - one in July, the other this autumn. There will also be separate one-off payments of £300 to pensioner households and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits.

To support people who need additional help later in the year, the Government is providing, from October, an extra £500 million of funding. In England, £421m will be used to extend the Household Support Fund. The Devolved Administrations will receive £79m. This is in addition to the £1bn already provided for this support.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
20th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled, New jobs mission to get 500,000 into work, dated 27 January 2022, what targets her Department has put in place for the Way to work campaign; in what way she is measuring the performance of that campaign; what the evidential basis was for proceeding with the design of that campaign; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the honourable member to the answer given to PQ4709 for the number of movements into work during the Way to Work campaign as of 15 May.

On the 26 January 2022, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions launched ‘Way to Work’, a campaign across Great Britain to help 500,000 people into employment by the end of June 2022.

We are building on the infrastructure established through our Kickstart Scheme to work more closely with employers, to bring them into Jobcentres and move claimants into work more quickly. We are providing more time for new claimants with their Work Coach and delivering a renewed focus on moving claimants into work through more rigorously applying agreements made in claimant commitments. We are also using data to ensure that we are flexible and adaptable in our delivery. This means that we are collecting data that is relevant, effective and that allows us to monitor performance in a timely way so as to assess what is working.

Our ambition for 500,000 movements into work was developed in recognition of the 1.2 million vacancies in the wider economy (now 1.3 million vacancies), as well as the 1.6 million people searching for work within the Universal Credit caseload. It was based on historical performance in previous years over the same period covered by the Way to Work campaign (February to June) and included modelling based on enhanced delivery once Way to Work improvements have been applied.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the overall cost of the Kickstart scheme has been since its inception.

The National Audit Office (NAO) report on the Kickstart Scheme was published in November 2021. This report contains details on spend as of the end of September 2021. You can access the NAO report here.

Information relating to Kickstart grants will be published by the Cabinet Office on the Government website in due course, as is standard practice for all Government general grants. This can be viewed here. To note, this information is normally published approximately a year after the financial year end and includes grant value and recipients.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, where the first quarterly Customer Satisfaction Measure survey of the Restart Scheme is published; and how that result of that survey are being used to improve the future delivery of the Restart Scheme.

The Customer Satisfaction Measure (CSM) results are not published. Although DWP has not undertaken to publish the CSM results, it retains the right to do so in the future.

The purpose of the CSM is to give DWP independent evidence, at national and contract level, regarding customer satisfaction, which can be used to inform:

  • current Restart Scheme provider performance improvement,
  • any changes that could be made to any potential successor programme, and
  • the DWP’s long term evidence base for how to best run similar programmes in the future.

The results of the first quarterly survey, and future surveys, will form a key part of Restart Scheme providers’ monthly discussions with their DWP performance managers.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants were referred by Jobcentre Plus to providers for training in literacy, numeracy or digital skills in each of the last five years, broken down by UK regions, London and mayoral combined authorities and age, ethnicity, gender, disability and region.

The information requested is not readily available. Jobcentre Plus works in partnership with local training providers to ensure/facilitate delivery of essential communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy skills and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training to unemployed benefit claimants in England, Scotland and Wales. Wider adult education and skills policy is the responsibility of the Department for Education in England and devolved to the Scottish and Welsh Governments in Scotland and Wales.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people claiming Universal Credit and in the Searching for Work conditionality group as at January 2021 found a job within (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months and (d) 12 months of being placed in the searching for work group, broken down by UK regions, London and mayoral combined authorities; and for how long those people held that job.

The Information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost because the required information is not all readily available to analysts in a format that would enable them to undertake the analysis and quality assure the figures, to answer this PQ in the timescales.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the eligibility criteria for the Restart Scheme; and whether the eligibility criteria has been changed since the commencement of that scheme.

The eligibility criteria for the Restart Scheme is published in the Restart Scheme Provider Guidance and is available via the following link, in paragraph 1.28.

Chapter 1: Introduction and overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data her Department holds on the extent of underspend of the Kickstart Scheme in the financial year 2021-22; and what discussions she has had with Chancellor of the Exchequer on returning that funding to her departmental budgets.

As of 8 May 2022, over 162,600 Kickstart jobs had been started by young people. We are delighted that the Kickstart Scheme has provided opportunities for so many young people to gain experience in the workplace that will improve their chances of progressing to find long-term sustainable work.

In the financial year 2021-22, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was provided with £1,617.5m new funding specifically to deliver Kickstart. As this funding was ringfenced, any underspend had to be returned to HMT, as per the normal budgeting process. At Supplementary Estimates, DWP handed back £664.7m of this funding, with any balance on the residual £952.8m funding also due to be returned to HMT at year end.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which organisations have received funding as part of the Restart Scheme; and how much funding each organisation has received since commencement of that scheme to 18 May 2022.

The Value of the Contracts for Restart (£2.5billion) is detailed on Contracts Finder. This covers the three-year referral period and service delivery. A review of the Restart Programme is being undertaken following the first full year of delivery. Any changes will be published on Contracts Finder in Autumn 2022.

The following Prime organisations were awarded Contracts to deliver the Restart Scheme.

G4S Facilities Management (UK) Ltd.

MAXIMUS UK Services Limited

Reed in Partnership

Serco Group

Jobs 22 Ltd

Ingeus UK Ltd

Fedcap Employment Limited

Seetec Pluss Ltd

The Restart contracts are accessible on Contracts Finder using the following link Restart Scheme - Contracts Finder. In relation to funding, under the Governments Transparency agenda, all spend data over £25,000 is published and can be found at GOV.UK. Spend is updated on a quarterly basis with the latest update published in March 2022.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the cost of operating the Restart Scheme in each year of its expected operation.

The Value of the Contracts for Restart (£2.5billion) is detailed on Contracts Finder. This covers the three-year referral period and service delivery. A review of the Restart Programme is being undertaken following the first full year of delivery. Any changes will be published on Contracts Finder in Autumn 2022.

The following Prime organisations were awarded Contracts to deliver the Restart Scheme.

G4S Facilities Management (UK) Ltd.

MAXIMUS UK Services Limited

Reed in Partnership

Serco Group

Jobs 22 Ltd

Ingeus UK Ltd

Fedcap Employment Limited

Seetec Pluss Ltd

The Restart contracts are accessible on Contracts Finder using the following link Restart Scheme - Contracts Finder. In relation to funding, under the Governments Transparency agenda, all spend data over £25,000 is published and can be found at GOV.UK. Spend is updated on a quarterly basis with the latest update published in March 2022.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to publish the performance measures that will be used for the Restart Scheme.

Details of the required Minimum Performance Expectation and Customer Service Standards are published within Schedule 2 of the contract and are available to view on Contracts Finder Restart Scheme - Contracts Finder.

In addition, details of Performance Management can be found in Chapter 14 of the Restart Provider Guidance.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the process of re-interviewing Work Coaches employed by her Department on fixed-term contracts for permanent positions, whether her Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment that assessed whether any protected groups were being disadvantaged by this process.

DWP EO fixed-term colleagues across all Service Delivery areas were invited to apply for permanence at their current grade via ring-fenced internal district campaigns which did not include a requirement for interviews.

A full equality impact assessment of the approach was completed in advance of the campaigns commencing. It was concluded that, with mitigations in place, to reduce any negative impact, colleagues would not be disproportionately impacted because of their protected characteristics.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the cost per participant of the Restart Scheme.

The original estimate of the average cost per participant on the Restart Scheme is approximately £2,000.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the National Audit Office will conduct a review of the performance of the Restart Scheme.

The National Audit Office is independent of government and carries out reviews at the discretion of the Comptroller and Auditor General. They have started a review of the Restart Scheme which they have told us they intend to publish in the autumn. Details of this are available on the National Audit Office website.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the average length of time that a person who gets a job through the Kickstart Scheme stays in that job.

The Department for Work and Pensions will be monitoring and evaluating the Kickstart scheme throughout its implementation and will continue to evaluate the longer-term outcomes for Kickstart participants after they have completed their six-month Kickstart jobs. This will include an estimate of the young people that remained employed following the conclusion of the six-month Kickstart job (either with their Kickstart employer or moving into a job with a different employer), as well as the number of young people no longer in employment upon leaving a Kickstart role. We aim to publish the findings of the evaluation once complete.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have (a) started and (b) remain in the Restart Scheme by (i) region, (ii) constituency, (iii) age, (iv) gender, (v) ethnicity, (vi) disability and (vii) highest level of education.

The Restart Scheme began in July 2021, providing up to 12 months of support to help people who have been unemployed for more than nine months, into sustained employment.

The tables below show the following data on the Restart Scheme for up to and including 30 April 2022:

  • Starts - the number of individuals with a start date on provision
  • Leavers - the number of individuals with both a start date and an end date recorded on provision (reasons for leaving the Restart Scheme include a participant starting work, moving off Universal Credit or moving out of the Universal Credit Intensive Work Search regime)
  • Caseload - the number of individuals with a start date recorded but without an end date recorded

Data is not currently available by ethnicity, disability, and highest education level or by constituency.

Table 1 – Starts, leavers, and caseload by Contract Package Area (CPA)

CPA

Starts

Leavers

Caseload

1a West Central

20,825

1,425

19,400

1b East Central

18,345

1,605

16,740

2a North East and Humberside

16,500

1,405

15,095

2b South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

24,275

2,095

22,180

3a North West

15,070

600

14,470

3b Greater Manchester

14,650

770

13,875

4a South West

14,630

880

13,755

4b South Central

14,665

985

13,675

5a Central and West London

30,350

1,585

28,765

5b South and East London

19,635

1,540

18,095

5c Home Counties

28,265

2,505

25,760

6 Wales

9,575

785

8,790

National

226,785

16,180

210,605

Table 2 – Starts, leavers, and caseload by Sex

Sex

Starts

Leavers

Caseload

Female

92,530

5,965

86,570

Male

134,235

10,210

124,020

Unknown

20

5

15

Total

226,785

16,180

210,605

Table 3 – Starts, leavers, and caseload by Age

Age

Starts

Leavers

Caseload

18 to 24

12,780

665

12,115

25 to 49

148,080

10,840

137,245

Over 49

65,485

4,665

60,820

Unknown

445

15

430

Total

226,785

16,180

210,605

Data Source: Provider Referrals and Payment System (PRaP) and DWP administrative datasets.

A breakdown of the CPAs can be found in the following link.

Restart Scheme: Contract Package Areas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

All values rounded to nearest 5 - total numbers may not sum perfectly due to rounding.

The management information above has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with Official Statistics but is provided in the interests of transparency.

There are some unknown values (less than 1%) recorded in the system for both gender and age. Some are recorded as such while others are due to a mismatch between Provider Referrals, Payment System, and DWP administrative datasets.

The numbers of leavers and caseload depends on accurate recording of the end date and so there maybe inaccuracy in these numbers.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have left the Restart Scheme since its establishment by (a) region, (b) constituency, (c) age, (d) gender, (e) ethnicity, (f) disability and (g) highest level of education.

The Restart Scheme began in July 2021, providing up to 12 months of support to help people who have been unemployed for more than nine months, into sustained employment.

The tables below show the following data on the Restart Scheme for up to and including 30 April 2022:

  • Starts - the number of individuals with a start date on provision
  • Leavers - the number of individuals with both a start date and an end date recorded on provision (reasons for leaving the Restart Scheme include a participant starting work, moving off Universal Credit or moving out of the Universal Credit Intensive Work Search regime)
  • Caseload - the number of individuals with a start date recorded but without an end date recorded

Data is not currently available by ethnicity, disability, and highest education level or by constituency.

Table 1 – Starts, leavers, and caseload by Contract Package Area (CPA)

CPA

Starts

Leavers

Caseload

1a West Central

20,825

1,425

19,400

1b East Central

18,345

1,605

16,740

2a North East and Humberside

16,500

1,405

15,095

2b South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

24,275

2,095

22,180

3a North West

15,070

600

14,470

3b Greater Manchester

14,650

770

13,875

4a South West

14,630

880

13,755

4b South Central

14,665

985

13,675

5a Central and West London

30,350

1,585

28,765

5b South and East London

19,635

1,540

18,095

5c Home Counties

28,265

2,505

25,760

6 Wales

9,575

785

8,790

National

226,785

16,180

210,605

Table 2 – Starts, leavers, and caseload by Sex

Sex

Starts

Leavers

Caseload

Female

92,530

5,965

86,570

Male

134,235

10,210

124,020

Unknown

20

5

15

Total

226,785

16,180

210,605

Table 3 – Starts, leavers, and caseload by Age

Age

Starts

Leavers

Caseload

18 to 24

12,780

665

12,115

25 to 49

148,080

10,840

137,245

Over 49

65,485

4,665

60,820

Unknown

445

15

430

Total

226,785

16,180

210,605

Data Source: Provider Referrals and Payment System (PRaP) and DWP administrative datasets.

A breakdown of the CPAs can be found in the following link.

Restart Scheme: Contract Package Areas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

All values rounded to nearest 5 - total numbers may not sum perfectly due to rounding.

The management information above has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with Official Statistics but is provided in the interests of transparency.

There are some unknown values (less than 1%) recorded in the system for both gender and age. Some are recorded as such while others are due to a mismatch between Provider Referrals, Payment System, and DWP administrative datasets.

The numbers of leavers and caseload depends on accurate recording of the end date and so there maybe inaccuracy in these numbers.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
31st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she provide details of each Jobcentre Plus in the UK, broken down by (a) permanent and (b) temporary job centres.

Please see the attached spreadsheet for details of the permanent and temporary DWP sites.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many sector-based work academy programme starts there were up to the latest date for which information is available.

Sector-Based Work Academies were first launched in August 2011 in England and January 2012 in Scotland. Regular statistical releases on Sector-Based Work Academies, covering participation by those on legacy unemployment benefits, began in 2011 and ended in 2017. These statistics can be found here.

The scheme was relaunched as the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) in July 2020 as part of the government’s Plan for Jobs. Data for the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22 shows that as of 27th March 2022, there was a total of 149,980 starts to a SWAP. The breakdown of these starts by financial year is displayed in the following table:

Table 1: SWAP starts

Starts FY 2020/21

Starts FY 2021/22 – to 27th March

Total Starts

Total SWAP Starts

64,500

85,480

149,980

Note on above: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; components may not sum due to rounding. These figures reflect the number of starts by claimants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support (IS).

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart places have been taken up by residents in each parliamentary constituency.

I refer the Honourable Member to DEP2021-0996 for a breakdown of Kickstart jobs by each parliamentary constituency.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people who have been affected by the underpayment of benefits after transitioning from incapacity benefit to employment support allowance in Wirral South constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19th January to question number 104377.

17th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been affected by the underpayment of benefits after transitioning from incapacity benefit to employment support allowance, by parliamentary constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19th January to question number 104377.

5th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many sector based work academies have taken place in each (a) country and (b) region of the UK since that programme began.

Sector-based work academies were first launched in August 2011 in England and January 2012 in Scotland. Regular statistical releases on sector-based work academies, covering participation by those on legacy unemployment benefits, began in 2011 and ended in 2017. These statistics can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/employment-schemes-work-experience-sector-based-work-academy-and-skills-conditionality-starts-to-november-2017

The scheme was relaunched as ‘SWAP’ in July 2020 as part of the government’s Plan for Jobs. Data for the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22 shows that as of 2nd January 2022, there was a total of 127,360 starts to a Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP). The breakdown of these starts by nation and region is displayed in the following tables:

Table 1: SWAP starts by nation

Nation

Starts FY 2020/21

Starts FY 2021/22

Total Starts

England

58,310

56,760

115,070

Scotland

6,120

5,750

11,880

Unknown

60

350

410

Total

64,500

62,860

127,360

Table 2: SWAP starts by region

Region

Starts FY 2020/21

Starts FY 2021/22

Total Starts

West Midlands

5,000

4,960

9,960

Central, East & North Scotland

4,340

3,990

8,330

South & West Scotland

1,780

1,770

3,550

London & Essex

12,950

15,380

28,340

North & East Midlands

7,800

7,120

14,920

North Central

6,960

7,060

14,020

North East

5,550

4,570

10,110

North West

5,340

4,550

9,890

South East

8,200

8,190

16,390

South West

6,510

4,940

11,450

Unknown

60

350

410

Total

64,500

62,860

127,360

Note on above: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; components may not sum due to rounding. These figures reflect the number of starts by claimants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support (IS).

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work coaches there are at each job centre in the UK, broken down by job centre.

The total Staff in Post (SIP) for all Work Coach activity has been provided broken down by district. As of January 2022, the total number of Work Coaches in our Jobcentres is 27,049 SIP. It is not possible to give an exact number for each Jobcentre because Work Coaches work across whole of their district and sometimes beyond.

The standard DWP definition of Work Coach activity includes Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) activity. Also included here are a number of staff carrying out related activities including those in temporary Work Coach Team Leader roles.

JCP District

SIP

Avon Somerset and Gloucestershire

836

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

654

Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

637

Birmingham and Solihull

946

Black Country

761

Central Scotland

343

Cheshire

359

Cumbria and Lancashire

840

Devon and Cornwall

691

Dorset Wiltshire Hampshire and Isle of Wight

1024

Durham and Tees Valley

626

East Anglia

814

East London

1257

East Scotland

467

Essex

738

Greater Manchester

1384

Kent

631

Leicestershire and Northamptonshire

612

Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire and Rutland

767

Mercia

717

Merseyside

874

National

111

North and Mid Wales

347

North East Scotland

483

North East Yorkshire and Humber

582

North London

1026

Northern Scotland

150

Northumberland Tyne and Wear

699

South East Wales

547

South London

1314

South West Scotland

395

South West Wales

518

South Yorkshire

651

Staffordshire and Derbyshire

749

Surrey and Sussex

877

West London

1152

West Scotland

404

West Yorkshire

1066

Grand Total

27049

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to respond to the In-work Progression Commission's report entitled Supporting progression out of low pay: a call to action.

The Government is committed to ensuring everyone, no matter their background, has the opportunity to start, stay and progress in work. We will publish our response to the In-work Progression Commission's report shortly, setting out our approach to supporting people on low pay and helping them to progress in work.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart scheme jobs have been (a) approved and (b) started in each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK.

As of the 30th June there were over 243,000 jobs approved for funding by the Kickstart Scheme. We are unable at present to provide data on the number of approved jobs by region, as at that stage in the process we do not hold information about the exact location of a job, only the head office of the employer.

Over 145,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply for and over 40,000 young people have started Kickstart jobs.

The table below shows the number of Kickstart jobs which have been offered and started by young people to date by geographical area of Great Britain. The figures used are correct as of the 30th June and these figures have been rounded according to departmental standards.

Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system, which has been developed quickly.

The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme.

Location

Jobs Advertised

Total Jobs Started

East Midlands

9,710

2,380

East of England

11,410

2,890

London

28,160

8,880

North East

5,680

1,910

North West

18,570

5,170

Scotland

10,560

3,560

South East

16,850

4,480

South West

10,800

2,770

Wales

8,200

2,120

West Midlands

13,680

3,590

Yorkshire and The Humber

11,360

3,070

*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals. Jobs Advertised include 1,000 non-grant funded vacancies and around 900 starts to non-grant funded jobs

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department's Restart scheme has started; and when referrals will be made to employers under that scheme.

Conversations with claimants about the Restart Scheme have begun as of the 28th June, and referrals to providers are expected to start from 12th July.

Restart Scheme providers will deliver an intensive and tailored support offer to participants, aimed at helping them to get into sustained work. With each participant having a unique set of needs and aspirations, we can expect transitions to employment to happen at different points in their journeys.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart scheme jobs have been (a) approved and (b) started in each nation and region of the UK.

As of the 16th June there were over 230,000 jobs approved for funding by the Kickstart Scheme. We are unable at present to provide data on the number of approved jobs by region, as at that stage in the process we do not hold information about the exact location of a job, only the head office of the employer.

Over 138,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply for and over 36,000 young people have started Kickstart jobs. On average more than 500 young people started a Kickstart job a day between 22/04/2021 and 27/05/2021.

Below are tables listing the number of Kickstart jobs which have been offered and started by young people to date by geographical area of Great Britain and work sector. The figures in these tables are correct as of 16/06/2021 and these figures have been rounded according to departmental standards.

Location

Jobs Advertised

Total Jobs Started

East Midlands

9,320

2,060

East of England

11,050

2,520

London

27,020

7,780

North East

5,420

1,650

North West

17,490

4,650

Scotland

10,190

3,090

South East

16,060

3,960

South West

10,240

2,450

Wales

7,820

1,890

West Midlands

12,910

3,170

Yorkshire and The Humber

10,720

2,680

Rounded Totals

138,290

36,000

*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals. Jobs Advertised include 1,000 non-grant funded vacancies and around 900 starts to non-grant funded jobs

Sector

Jobs Advertised

Total Jobs Started

Administration

34,940

9,230

Animal Care

620

290

Beauty & Wellbeing

1,000

280

Business & Finance

4,990

1,260

Computing, Technology & Digital

10,510

3,360

Construction & Trades

4,420

1,210

Creative & Media

10,610

3,760

Delivery & Storage

4,080

1,090

Emergency & Uniform Services

330

40

Engineering & Maintenance

4,970

1,040

Environment & Land

2,550

700

Government Services

450

70

Healthcare

4,470

940

Home Services

1,040

150

Hospitality & Food

12,630

2,320

Law & Legal

310

130

Managerial

930

200

Manufacturing

3,340

990

Retail & Sales

21,390

5,840

Science & Research

690

150

Social Care

3,390

530

Sports & Leisure

3,210

790

Teaching & Education

6,430

1,350

Transport

510

80

Travel & Tourism

480

100

Totals

138,290

36,000

*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals. Jobs Advertised include 1,000 non-grant funded vacancies and around 900 starts to non-grant funded jobs

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of trends in the level of youth unemployment in each region across the UK.

The most reliable data on youth unemployment in each region / nation of the UK is drawn from the Annual Population Survey. This is publicly available from the nomis website, at:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/aps170

The ONS also produce experimental statistics on ‘Regional labour market: Estimates of unemployment by age’, which is available at:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment/datasets/regionalunemploymentbyagex02

This latter source is less reliable, as it is based on the Labour Force Survey which has a smaller sample size. However, its results are more timely.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with political leaders in devolved administrations in regions across the UK on improving labour market outcomes in their areas.

The Department is supporting people across Great Britain who are most in need wherever they live. The Secretary of State, Ministers and Officials meet regularly with stakeholders to discuss a range of policy issues.

The Department engages regularly with local leaders, including the Mayoral Combined Authorities established in England, centrally and through the Work and Health Service network which has a strong operational presence in all regions. Policy and operational teams in DWP value local leaders’ insight and knowledge of their local labour markets. Local engagement has played an important role in our collaborative response to the pandemic and to support our economic recovery.

Policy teams frequently engage on a range of labour market initiatives, for example, on the Plan for Jobs. We have actively promoted the Kickstart Scheme and my officials have worked with local leaders to ensure the scheme can help as many young people as possible. Engagement with local leaders has also played a key part in the appointment of providers for the Restart employment scheme, which will start receiving referrals from 12th July. The Government will continue to engage local leaders as we develop the UKSPF’s investment framework and in advance of its publication.

Officials continue to keep their Scottish and Welsh Government counterparts updated on key labour market developments. DWP does not operate in Northern Ireland, but my Department has regular and frequent discussions with the Department for Communities on both policy and operational matters.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the proportion of organisations offering kickstart placements that are SMEs.

We are unable to provide an estimate of the proportion of SME employers participating in the Kickstart Scheme. However, we know that many small businesses have applied through approved gateway organisations. In February, the department removed the 30 job minimum requirement for applications to Kickstart to make the scheme more accessible to small businesses and sole traders giving them choice to apply direct or via one of over 900 Kickstart gateways organisations.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to provide data on the next destination of people who have completed their Kickstart scheme placement.

The Department for Work and Pensions will be monitoring and evaluating the Kickstart Scheme throughout and after its implementation. This will include a longer term evaluation of the outcomes and impact on young people after they have completed their six month Kickstart job placement.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the average number of kickstart places made available by each employer participating in the scheme.

Employers wishing to participate in the Kickstart scheme can apply direct or with the support of a Gateway organisation – a Gateway application will usually include jobs from a number of employers. As of 6th May (since the beginning of the Scheme) the average number of vacancies per approved Kickstart application is 15 for Employers, 41 for Gateways, and an average of 28 for both Employers and Gateways combined.

*the above figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system, which has been developed quickly.

The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much and what proportion of the £2 billion of funding for the Kickstart scheme announced by the Government in A Plan for Jobs in July 2020 has been (a) allocated and (b) spent.

£2bn has been allocated to Kickstart to create hundreds of thousands of 6-month job placements for young people aged 16-24, to improve their long term employability. Kickstart placements commenced in October 2020 and eligible young people will be able to start new Kickstart jobs until December 2021, with the final cohort of six-month jobs coming to an end in Summer 2022. Kickstart funding is not capped and we expect to use all funding to provide jobs for young people by the end of the scheme. Details of spend is unavailable at this time but will become available following the completion of the audited accounts.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the projected number of universal credit claimants aged 16-24 in each year for which that data has been projected.

The Department does not have a projection.

Actual data on the number of people on UC is available at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/login.xhtml

Total UC caseload forecast can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2021

12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart jobs have been (a) approved and (b) started in each region of the UK.

As of the 6th May 2021, over 108,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply for through the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Kickstart Scheme. This includes over 20,000 jobs started by young people.

There have been over 200,000 jobs approved by the scheme.

We are unable at present to provide data on the number of approved jobs by region, as at that stage in the process we do not hold information about the exact location of a job, only the head office of the employer. We do hold regional information on jobs made available for young people to apply for and for placements started, which is provided below.

The tables below show these figures split by location and sector, the data presented has been rounded according to DWP statistical rounding convention. Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system which has been developed quickly. The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency. Work is ongoing to improve the quality of information available for the programme.

Location

Jobs Advertised

Total Jobs Started

East Midlands

7,270

1,120

East of England

8,240

1,320

London

22,740

4,500

North East

4,560

960

North West

13,560

2,840

Scotland

7,540

1,770

South East

12,320

2,350

South West

7,670

1,440

Wales

6,020

1,000

West Midlands

10,030

1,850

Yorkshire and The Humber

8,310

1,580

Figures may not add up to provided totals due to rounding. 1,000 non-grant funded jobs are included in Jobs Advertised but not included under Jobs Started. Total jobs started includes those which have been completed or ended early.

Sector

Jobs Advertised

Total Jobs Started

Administration

27,950

5,370

Animal Care

480

160

Beauty & Wellbeing

740

150

Business & Finance

4,040

750

Computing, Technology & Digital

8,490

2,110

Construction & Trades

3,600

700

Creative & Media

8,420

2,180

Delivery & Storage

3,320

670

Emergency & Uniform Services

230

10

Engineering & Maintenance

3,900

470

Environment & Land

2,140

360

Government Services

290

30

Healthcare

4,360

570

Home Services

800

80

Hospitality & Food

7,530

1,030

Law & Legal

260

90

Managerial

830

120

Manufacturing

2,650

600

Retail & Sales

17,120

3,680

Science & Research

450

80

Social Care

2,880

270

Sports & Leisure

2,350

410

Teaching & Education

4,720

760

Transport

400

40

Travel & Tourism

310

40

Figures may not add up to provided totals due to rounding. 1,000 non-grant funded jobs are included in Jobs Advertised but not included under Jobs Started. Total jobs started includes those which have been completed or ended early.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart placements have been (a) approved and (b) started in each parliamentary constituency.

The Department for Work and Pensions collects data on the uptake of the Kickstart Scheme. We have published information on the number of young people who have started in each region, here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-04-12/179100, but we are unable to break this down below the regional level at present.

The need to deliver and operate the Kickstart scheme at pace has led to a current limited clerical data set which, in turn, makes it harder to accurately present a snapshot of a smaller geographical area, such as a Parliamentary constituency. Information is contained across multiple systems as more than one Jobcentre could cover a single constituency. Conversely, Kickstart placements and vacancies are not allocated to one JCP, so we have many vacancies which may be connected to a company based or headquartered in one area, but the vacancies can be filled from a wider geographical area.

As such, it is not currently possible to provide the data below the regional level. We are, however, continuing to develop our management information tools and data collection system which may help in sharing more localised information at a local authority level in due course.

The Government is monitoring and evaluating the Kickstart Scheme throughout its implementation, and will continue to evaluate the longer term outcomes and impact for Kickstart participants.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of extending the Kickstart scheme beyond December 2021.

Our focus is on delivering Kickstart jobs for young people as soon as we can. Eligible young people will be able to start new Kickstart jobs until December 2021, meaning the final cohort of six-month jobs will end in Summer 2022. There are currently no plans to extend the Kickstart Scheme.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications to the Kickstart Scheme have been (a) received and (b) approved to date; and how many young people have started a job on that scheme.

As of 8th April 2021 there have been 18,900 applications received from gateway organisations and employers, of which 5,300 have been approved. These approved applications represent over 180,000 jobs. Over 11,800 young people have started in their Kickstart job.

Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system which has been developed quickly. The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart scheme jobs have been (a) approved and (b) started in each region.

As of the 8th of April, over 11,800 young people had started jobs created by the Department of Work and Pensions’ Kickstart Scheme.

We are unable to provide a breakdown of the approved jobs by region as at the approval stage a company provides their registered address which will often not reflect the location of associated jobs.

The table below shows the number of starts broken down by region. The data in the table has been rounded. Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system which has been developed quickly.

The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency.

Region

Starts

East Midlands

660

East of England

780

London

2600

North East

490

North West

1700

Scotland

1100

South East

1200

South West

780

Wales

540

West Midlands

1200

Yorkshire and The Humber

890

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of young people employed under the Kickstart scheme in each region of the UK.

I refer the honourable member to the answer given for PQ 147859.

We are not able to publish a breakdown of this data by nation or region at this time.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of young people employed under the Kickstart scheme in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland.

I refer the honourable member to the answer given for PQ 147859.

We are not able to publish a breakdown of this data by nation or region at this time.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what date her Department estimates the number of employees on the Restart programme will reach its peak number.

The delivery of the Restart programme is dependent on an ongoing commercial exercise, on a robust approval process and on intensive readiness preparations. Should these prove successful, referrals to Restart should peak in winter 2021/22 and provider employment should track referral levels.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what expected start-date of the first recruits joining the Restart programme her Department is using for internal planning purposes.

The delivery of the Restart programme is dependent on an ongoing commercial exercise, on a robust approval process and on intensive readiness preparations. Should these prove successful, referrals to Restart should peak in winter 2021/22 and provider employment should track referral levels.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of (a) jobs created by, (b) placements started under and (c) applications made to the Kickstart scheme.

From the launch of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart Scheme until 04/02/21, there have been:

a. Over 120,000 jobs approved;

b. Over 2,000 jobs started;

c. Over 8,000 applications made. An employer or organisation can make multiple applications to the scheme.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what requests the Government has made to (a) local authorities and (b) combined authorities for data on the uptake of the Kickstart scheme.

As of 04/02/2021 there were over 120,000 approved jobs on the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart Scheme.

Data regarding the uptake of the Kickstart Scheme is collected by the DWP. Local and Combined Authorities are welcome to apply for funding through the scheme and some already have.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart gateways have been set up by (a) region and (b) local authority area.

The table below shows the number of gateway organisations approved as part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart scheme, broken down by region as of 11/01/2021. We are currently unable to break this data down by Local Authority, this data reflects the location of an organisation’s registered address and not necessarily the location where the gateway will be supporting Kickstart job placements.

Region

Number of unique Gateways Approved

London

143

North West

95

South East

78

West Midlands

54

Scotland

51

East of England

45

East Midlands

43

Yorkshire and The Humber

42

Wales

31

South West

26

North East

26

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new job placements are being funded by the Kickstart programme.

As of 22/01/2021, there have been over 110,000 new job placements approved for funding by the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart scheme. We are actively seeking more Kickstart job placements that can start before December 2021 and would welcome further applications from employers.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of (a) jobs created by, (b) placement started at and (c) applications made to the Kickstart scheme.

As of 19/01/2021, there have been (a) over 110,000 job placements created, (b) 1,916 young people starting job placements and (c) 6,530 applications to, the Department for Work and Pensions’ Kickstart Scheme.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish her Department's projections for business planning purposes of the universal credit claimant count (a) in each year for which it has been projected and (b) aged 16 - 24 in each year for which it has been projected.

The Department published its latest benefit expenditure and caseload tables, including Universal Credit caseload over the next 5 financial years, which is available here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2020]. This was published in December.

Estimates by age-group are not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on local authorities making applications to the Kickstart scheme.

We are pleased to see the significant interest in the Kickstart Scheme from local authorities and recognise the excellent position they are in to support local opportunities.

We regularly meet with ministerial colleagues and our officials have engaged with local authorities, local enterprise partnerships and the mayoral combined authorities throughout the Kickstart Scheme development process.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of applications to the Kickstart scheme have come from the private sector, to date.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications have been made to the Kickstart scheme from the charity sector, to date.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications have been made to the Kickstart scheme from public sector organisations.

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when details of the Government's Restart programme announced in the Spending Review 2020 will be published.

The chancellor announced at Spending Review £2.9bn for three years of referrals to Restart.

Restart will provide intensive, tailored employment support to help over 1 million people back towards sustained employment.

The commercial process will start in December, contracts will be awarded in Spring 2021, with go live Summer 2021. Further detail on the scheme will be announced in due course.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the £2.9 billion for the Government's Restart programme will be allocated.

The chancellor announced at Spending Review £2.9bn for three years of referrals to Restart.

Restart will provide intensive, tailored employment support to help over 1 million people back towards sustained employment.

The commercial process will start in December, contracts will be awarded in Spring 2021, with go live Summer 2021. Further detail on the scheme will be announced in due course.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of unemployed people who will receive funding from the Government's Restart programme, announced in the Spending Review 2020.

The chancellor announced at Spending Review £2.9bn for three years of referrals to Restart.

Restart will provide intensive, tailored employment support to help over 1 million people back towards sustained employment.

The commercial process will start in December, contracts will be awarded in Spring 2021, with go live Summer 2021. Further detail on the scheme will be announced in due course.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications have been received for the Kickstart scheme to date.

As of 26/11 there have been 5040 applications for funding through the DWP’s Kickstart Scheme. So far, applications from Gateways and employers covering 23’934 vacancies have been approved.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been spent on the Kickstart scheme to date; and what her projection is of expenditure on that scheme up until Spring 2021.

The Kickstart scheme is a £2bn programme to create thousands of 6-month job placements for young people aged 16-24, to improve their long term employability. Kickstart placements commenced in November 2020.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
3rd Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what cost-benefit analysis the Government has undertaken on maintaining the suspension of the Minimum Income Floor in universal credit.

The information requested is not yet available.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of the Self Employed Income Support Scheme on the income of claimants of universal credit.

Universal Credit takes into account income in the assessment period (AP) it is received. Payments from the Self-employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is treated as self-employed earnings in UC and we will take them into account when they are received. We will not therefore need to readjust previous months’ awards.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
1st Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the income effect of the Self Employed Income Support Scheme on people who are also claiming universal credit.

We treat the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payments as self-employed earnings and take them into account in the month in which it is received.

The Department has not made an assessment of the income effect of the SEISS on people who are also claiming universal credit.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
1st Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of suspending the Universal Credit (Miscellaneous Amendments, Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2018 for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Universal Credit (Miscellaneous Amendments, Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2018 introduced a package of positive measures announced in the Autumn Budget on 22 November 2017 and the SSWP’s oral statement the following day. It also introduced additional measures that are very technical by nature, which had been highlighted as part of the learning process of Universal Credit and ensured the legislation reflected the intended policy.

We cannot see any merit in suspending these regulations. For example, we have no plans to re-introduce waiting days to Universal Credit during the Covid period, as this would reduce financial support for claimants and delay the initial payment, nor do we have any plans to suspend the Transition to UC Housing Payment (the two-week run on of Housing Benefit), as this would remove vital financial support for people moving to UC.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is his Department's policy that a patient's GP practice be informed if that patient visits different hospitals in the same NHS trust with similar illnesses or injuries.

A patient’s general practice (GP) would usually be informed when they attended hospital, either via a discharge letter, or via a notification on an electronic patient record system. This is dependent on the National Health Service trust knowing the patient’s registered GP. A patient may object to the sharing of their information with their GP when visiting a trust, for example when attending accident and emergency, and the trust will need to follow data protection legislation and guidance to determine whether it is in its best interests to still share this with the patient’s GP.

18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2023 to Question 197773 on Defibrillators: Public Places, if he will provide breakdown of those defibrillators registered with the Circuit in England by (a) community centres, (b) public parks, (c) sports centres, (d) work spaces, (e) schools and (f) universities.

The Circuit is operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in partnership with the Resuscitation Council UK, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and the National Health Service. The Department does not have access to the information held on the Circuit and it is therefore not possible to provide information as requested.

12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of families were (a) eligible for and (b) claimed Healthy Start Scheme vouchers by 12 September 2023.

The NHS Business Services Authority operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly uptake figures for the Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The latest uptake figures were published on 31 August 2023. In August 2023, uptake for the NHS Healthy Start scheme was 66.0%, with 557,460 eligible beneficiaries.

5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many defibrillators have been installed in public spaces in England as of August 2023.

The British Heart Foundation, in partnership with the Resuscitation Council UK, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and the National Health Service, has set up The Circuit, which is a national database of where defibrillators can be found so that ambulance services can identify the nearest defibrillator at the time of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The Circuit is live in all ambulance services across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As of August 2023, there were 54,976 defibrillators registered with the Circuit in England.

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time is for a person to have an initial appointment at a memory clinic in each region.

The information requested is not held centrally.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2023 to Question 193134 on Mental Health Services: Children and Young People, when she plans that the national access and waiting times standards for these services in England will be (a) defined and (b) set.

NHS England plans to publish data on community mental health longest waits in autumn 2023 using their proxy measure of how long to receive one or more contacts for children and young people, or two or more contacts for adults. NHS England plans to publish the full community mental health waiting times proposed in spring 2024. This will start to move away from only measuring contacts and will broaden focus on meaningful activities and improved outcomes.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2023 to Question 193607 on Health Services: Wirral South, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for treatment on the Wirral.

The Government has committed more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25 to drive up and protect elective activity across England including the Wirral. This is supported further by £5.9 billion investment in capital for new beds, equipment, and technology.

In July 2022 we met our target to virtually eliminate long waits of two years or more for elective procedures, and significantly reduced the number of patients waiting 18 months or more by April 2023 by over 91% from the peak in September 2021. We have now moved our focus to cutting waits of 65 weeks or more to as near zero as possible by March 2024; this includes patients waiting for treatment in the Wirral. Capacity is being sought across the National Health Service and the independent sector locally, regionally and across the country to support efforts in hitting this target.

From October 2023, all patients waiting over 40 weeks where a decision to treat a patient has been made but the patient does not have a date for their treatment will be able to initiate a request to transfer to another provider and receive treatment more quickly via the Patient Initiated Digital Mutual Aid System.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2023 to Question 192573 on Health Services: Waiting Lists, what the average waiting list time for specialist clinical (a) care and (b) surgery was in (i) February, (ii) April and (iii) June 2023 for people in Wirral South constituency.

As detailed in the answer to Question 192573, this data is not available in the format requested for a breakdown between specialist clinical care and surgery. The average waiting time nationally for referral to treatment for elective care was 14.5 weeks in February 2023 and 13.8 weeks in April 2023. Official NHS England figures for this statistic in June 2023 are not yet available, however the most recent published statistic for May 2023 was 14.1 weeks on average. These figures relate to the average time a patient is still waiting for their treatment to begin, at the end of the given month.

Average waiting times are not available per constituency. However, as of 28 May, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had 41,375 people waiting for treatment, with over 58% waiting under 18 weeks.

10th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2023 to Question 191564 on Mental Health Services: Children and Young People, what the average waiting time is for a young person to access mental health services in Wirral South constituency.

This information is not collected centrally at present as national access and waiting times standards for these services in England has not yet been defined or set.

We are working with NHS England on the introduction of new waiting time standards for both children and young people’s community-based mental health services and urgent referrals across all ages to community-based mental health crisis services, as part of its clinically-led review of National Health Service access standards. A date for their introduction has not yet been set.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
10th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health support teams are in (a) schools and (b) colleges, broken down by region.

Department for Education analysis shows that 398 mental health support teams are now operational, covering 3.4 million pupils and learners in England in 6,800 schools and colleges. A further 100 teams are in training, taking the total number of operational teams to approximately 500 by spring 2024.

The current number of such teams in schools and colleges broken down by type of educational setting and by region is not available.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of doctors who have revoked their medical register status since December 2022.

The Department does not hold this data centrally. The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of all medical doctors practising in the United Kingdom which sets and enforces the standards all doctors must adhere to. The GMC is responsible for operational matters, including holding data on the number of doctors on the medical register, as well as the number of doctors who have revoked their status on the medical register.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many doctors were on the medical register in (a) December 2019 and (b) September 2022.

The Department does not hold this data centrally. The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator of all medical doctors practising in the United Kingdom which sets and enforces the standards all doctors must adhere to. The GMC is responsible for operational matters, including holding data on the number of doctors on the medical register, as well as the number of doctors who have revoked their status on the medical register.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support intensive care unit workers (a) with their mental health and (b) generally.

It is a priority for the Government to support the health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff.

NHS planning guidance for 2023/24 emphasises the need to support staff, asking systems to refresh their workforce plans to improve staff experience and retention through a systematic focus on all elements of the NHS People Promise.

NHS England have developed a range of health and wellbeing initiatives which include a wellbeing guardian role, a focus on healthy working environments, empowering line managers to hold meaningful conversations with staff to discuss their wellbeing, and a comprehensive emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support package.

NHS staff can also access NHS Practitioner Health, a national support service for staff with more complex mental health needs brought about by serious issues such as trauma or addiction.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published on 30 June 2023, sets out how we will improve culture, leadership, wellbeing and staff retention over the next 15 years. The plan focuses on implementing actions from the NHS People Plan, improving flexible working opportunities and supporting the health and wellbeing of the NHS workforce.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GPs have left the NHS since June 2022.

The table below shows the number of fully qualified general practitioners (GPs) who left the National Health Service between March 2022 and March 2023, the latest month for which the data is available:

Full-time equivalent

Headcount

Fully Qualified GPs (excludes GPs in Training Grade)

2,407

3,681

While GPs leave the NHS, new doctors join general practice and there are 1,900 more than in 2019. Measures to refine pension tax will help to retain experienced GPs.

Notes:

- Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) refers to the proportion of full-time contracted hours that the post holder is contracted to work. 1 would indicate they work a full set of hours (37.5), 0.5 that they worked half time. In GPs in Training Grades’ contracts 1 FTE = 40 hours and in this table these FTEs have been converted to the standard wMDS measure of 1 FTE = 37.5 hours for consistency.

- Figures shown do not include staff working in prisons, army bases, educational establishments, specialist care centres including drug rehabilitation centres, walk-in centres and other alternative settings outside of traditional general practice such as urgent treatment centres and minor injury units.

- It is not recommended that comparisons be made between quarterly or monthly figures (e.g. Mar 2016 to Sept 2016) due to the unknown effect of seasonality on workforce numbers. Any such comparisons should therefore be treated with extreme caution.

- The data shows GPs who joined and/or left the cohort workforce between the beginning and end of each specified time period.

- A leaver is a GP whose identifying information was present in the relevant dataset at the beginning but not at the end of the specified time period.

- Please note that these figures do not capture GP migration between practices during this period.

- In addition, due to data quality, a GP recorded as a leaver in these figures may have left one practice and joined another practice with poor data completion. In instances such as this, a GP will be incorrectly recorded as a leaver due to the identifying information no longer being present in the dataset. Conversely, a GP could appear in the practice cohort as a joiner but may have joined from a practice with poor data completion rather than being a new addition to the GP workforce.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people were employed as health care workers in the NHS in (a) January and (b) June 2023.

Every month, NHS England publish data on staff working in the National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) setting and staff working in the general practice (GP) setting in England.

The table below shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in HCHS and GP settings in January 2023 and April 2023. June 2023 data is not yet available.

Setting Type January 2023 April 2023

HCHS 1,269,228 1,280,377

GP 143,012 143,948

Source: NHS Workforce Statistics

Monthly data timeseries for HCHS settings can be found at the following link: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/C1/85E8AA/NHS%20Workforce%20Statistics%2C%20April%202023%20England%20Provisional%20statistics.xlsx

Monthly data timeseries for GP settings can be found at the following link: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/FE/661126/GPW%20Bulletin%20Tables%20-%20May%202023.xlsx

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health workers were employed by the NHS in (a) January and (b) June 2023.

Every quarter, NHS England publish data on the National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) mental health workforce. The data shows that as of March 2023 (the latest data), there were 142,754 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the mental health workforce working in the HCHS setting. In December 2022, there were 138,610 FTE staff in the mental health workforce

The definition of the HCHS mental health workforce includes those who are providing or supporting the provision of mental health services. Staff are included if they have either an NHS Occupation Code or Area of Work that is related to mental health services.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been on a waiting list for an appointment for (a) special care and (b) surgery treatments for more than one year.

This data is not available in the format requested.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting list time for specialist clinical (a) care and (b) surgery was in (a) February, (b) April and (c) June 2023.

This data is not available in the format requested. Average waiting times for referral to treatment for elective care were 14.5 weeks in February 2023, and 13.8 weeks in April 2023. These figures relate to the average time a patient is still waiting for their treatment to begin, at the end of the given month. Official NHS England figures for June 2023 have not yet been published.

5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of mental health specialists in Wirral South constituency in June 2023.

The NHS has published a Long Term Workforce Plan which outlines the steps the Government has taken to support the recruitment and retention of mental health specialists, including in Wirral South.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to increase the (a) recruitment to and (b) retention of healthcare professionals in the NHS in June 2023.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the NHS People Plan and the NHS People Promise set out a comprehensive range of actions to improve staff retention. They provide a strong focus on creating a more modern, compassionate and inclusive National Health Service culture by strengthening health and wellbeing, equality and diversity, culture and leadership and flexible working. In addition, the NHS Retention Programme is continuously seeking to understand why staff leave, resulting in targeted interventions to support staff to stay whilst keeping them well.

Specifically, June 2023 saw a number of actions to improve recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in the NHS.

NHS England held several events, including: seven regional communities of practice workshops to support recruitment and retention of early career nurses, midwives and Allied Health Professionals; an event focused on international recruits; and a series of roundtables with representatives from the 23 retention exemplar trusts, which are working to implement the People Promise. These events focused on sharing best practice on strategies to improve recruitment and retention and supporting staff in career development.

Additionally, NHS England launched the ‘Retaining doctors in late-stage career guidance’ in collaboration with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/retaining-doctors-in-late-stage-career-guidance/