Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
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 the impact of excluding pitch fees from pension credit applications on park home residents.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
No such discussions have taken place.
Pitch fees can usually be met through Housing Benefit. In cases where there is a tenancy of over 21 years, then the pitch fees are not eligible for Housing Benefit but instead may be met by the housing cost element in Pension Credit, subject to the usual Pension Credit eligibility rules.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with which countries she is negotiating a reciprocal agreement on uprating state pensions.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
My department is not negotiating any reciprocal social security agreements.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of Park Home Residents who are unable to take up Pension Credit due to pitch fees not being treated equivalently to ground rent in the application process.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
An award of Pension Credit can include certain housing costs where the dwelling occupied as the home is not owned by the claimant and if these costs cannot be covered by Housing Benefit. Examples of housing costs covered by Pension Credit include:
It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the number of Park Homes residents whose Pension Credit applications were unsuccessful due to pitch fees not being included in the assessment.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce levels of fraud and error in universal credit.
Answered by David Rutley
We take any case of fraud and error extremely seriously and actively pursue fraudsters, using a wide range of powers to bring them to justice.
Last Autumn we announced a significant increase in our investment in Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt operations by 75%, up to £1.4bn over the next three years. We are using this to scale up our existing operations, enhance our approach to data and intelligence and set up a new targeted review of the Universal Credit (UC) caseload. This will generate billions of savings over the scorecard period.
We published figures in the DWP Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21 that showed the estimated rate of fraud and error in Universal Credit was 14.5%, up from 9.4% in 2019/20.
These estimates are based on in depth reviews of a random sample of around 3,000 Universal Credit cases (taken between February and November 2020) to establish the extent of Fraud and Error. The level of fraud and error found in this sample is then applied to the 2020-21 Universal Credit expenditure to give our overall estimate. During the early months of the pandemic we faced unprecedented levels of claims, with 2.4 million new UC claims between 1 March and 26 May 2020. We took a decision to implement easements to ensure we could prioritise payments to those who needed help during this difficult time. This meant that although the overall level of fraud and error in Universal Credit across the year was 14.5%, the subset of claims made after the pandemic started had a level of 25.6%. Claims prior to the pandemic remained at a level of 9.4%. This detailed analysis indicates that the total overpayment for fraud and error for claims from the start of the pandemic (in 2020/21) was £3.1 billion, of which £1.1billion being overpaid due to incorrect information about self-employed income.
It is regrettable that people may have sought to exploit the extraordinary circumstances of a global pandemic for gain by not reporting changes in circumstances or even making false claims. This is particularly true for bogus claims orchestrated by organised criminals.
During the pandemic, we were able to detect and shut down systematic attacks on the benefit system, including preventing £1.9bn from an attack from Organised Criminals in May 2020. We removed the easements as early as possible from June 2020 and introduced new processes, including a new Enhanced Checking Service created in April 2020, comprising a team of trained investigators who review claims and contact claimants in order to obtain further information or evidence where there is suspected fraud. In total we estimate that we have prevented nearly £3bn of additional fraud and error.
Our rigorous checks to prevent fraud are now back in place and the new targeted UC case reviews funded as part of the £1.4bn investment will be focused on relentlessly pursuing and finding incorrect claims and driving out the Fraud and Error. We are determined to combat all attempts at fraud and will not hesitate to pursue those who exploit the system when benefits are there to support those most in need.
Fraud and error in the benefit system: financial year 2020 to 2021 estimates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that personal independence payment claims and reviews are processed in a timely manner.
Answered by Chloe Smith
We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner.
We have seen increasing levels of demand for PIP and are constantly making improvements to our service to ensure claimants get a timely decision.
We introduced a blend of phone, video and face-to-face assessments to deliver a more efficient and user-centred service. We are also increasing case manager and Assessment Provider health professional resource to deal with the increased demand.
We are sending new claims to Assessment Providers ahead of award reviews for existing claims, to ensure newly entitled claimants get the support they need.
Where possible, decisions on award reviews are made by DWP decision makers without a new referral to an Assessment Provider. Those who do require an assessment are put into a queue until our Assessment Providers have capacity to assess them, and their existing awards are extended where necessary until the review is completed. This ensures that they get the right decision, and that there is no risk of their award ending before they are assessed.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart Scheme placements have been (a) approved, (b) advertised and (c) started by young people by (i) nation, (ii) region and (iii) sector as of 31 January 2022.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
As of the 31st January 2022, over 130,000 Kickstart jobs have been started by young people and over 235,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply to through the scheme. Over 305,000 jobs have been approved for funding.
Below are tables listing the number of Kickstart jobs which have been made available and started by young people to date by geographical area of Great Britain and work sector. The figures used are correct as of the 31st January and these figures have been rounded according to departmental standards.
Jobs made available and starts quoted here include some unfunded Kickstart jobs. Over time, some previously approved jobs have been removed where the employer chose not to follow up the application. Included in the Great Britain total are a small number of jobs made available (less than 100 in total) that have an unrecorded job location. Data on approved jobs is taken from a snapshot of the Kickstart system at a point in time. This figure can be affected by retrospective changes resulting from previously approved grant applications being rescinded.
The number of approved jobs is defined as the number of jobs associated with approved applications recorded on the Kickstart application system on the date above. This total excludes approved jobs that have been withdrawn from the Kickstart Scheme by agreement with employers and gateways.
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.
Table 1: Number of Kickstart total available jobs and job starts to 31st January 2022, Great Britain, by nation and region
| Total jobs made available | Total jobs started |
Total, Great Britain | 235,000 | 130,000 |
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England | 204,000 | 113,000 |
East Midlands | 14,000 | 8,000 |
East of England | 18,000 | 9,000 |
London | 51,000 | 28,000 |
North East | 11,000 | 6,000 |
North West | 30,000 | 17,000 |
South East | 26,000 | 14,000 |
South West | 14,000 | 8,000 |
West Midlands | 21,000 | 12,000 |
Yorkshire and The Humber | 19,000 | 11,000 |
Scotland | 19,000 | 11,000 |
Wales | 12,000 | 6,000 |
Table 2: Number of Kickstart total available jobs and job starts to 31st January 2022, Great Britain, by Sector
Sector | Total jobs made available | Total jobs started |
Administration | 57,350 | 32,660 |
Animal Care | 1,610 | 1,060 |
Beauty & Wellbeing | 1,720 | 1,080 |
Business & Finance | 8,500 | 4,820 |
Computing Technology & Digital | 15,840 | 10,490 |
Construction & Trades | 7,230 | 4,200 |
Creative & Media | 20,990 | 13,110 |
Delivery & Storage | 6,380 | 3,710 |
Emergency & Uniform Services | 520 | 290 |
Engineering & Maintenance | 7,080 | 3,980 |
Environment & Land | 4,620 | 2,710 |
Government Services | 1,000 | 460 |
Healthcare | 6,140 | 2,770 |
Home Services | 1,560 | 730 |
Hospitality & Food | 26,380 | 11,210 |
Law & Legal | 650 | 410 |
Managerial | 960 | 570 |
Manufacturing | 6,430 | 3,600 |
Retail & Sales | 34,970 | 20,450 |
Science & Research | 990 | 650 |
Social Care | 4,740 | 2,140 |
Sports & Leisure | 5,920 | 3,200 |
Teaching & Education | 11,000 | 5,410 |
Transport | 900 | 330 |
Travel & Tourism | 1,110 | 390 |
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has been taking to support Operation Warm Welcome.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
The Department has played a key role in Operation Warm Welcome including legislating to exempt those arriving from Afghanistan from the usual residency tests which restrict access to certain benefits for new arrivals to the UK, including Universal Credit.
We recognise those arriving may require immediate help. Therefore, DWP work coaches are now working in bridging hotels to take claims for Universal Credit and other support, with over 2,900 claims already taken which covers 4,500 claimants (couples are treated as a single claim). The Department has also provided other assistance including help to set up bank accounts, access medical prescriptions, distribute essential items, arranging events to support wellbeing and providing reassurance and a contact point for individuals.
Moreover, employment is an important part of integration. That is why those arriving under the relocation and resettlement schemes have the right to work from day one. We are providing tailored support to those who are ready to start looking for work. Employment fairs are being run to highlight employment and training opportunities and online courses are available in bridging hotels. DWP are using our National Employment and Partnership Team to identify employment opportunities for those who are ready to work, and are working with the Refugee Employment Network to ensure we provide tailored support to this cohort.
DWP are also working with individuals to prepare them for work, looking at work experience opportunities, help with CV and practice interviews. As well as supporting the setup of English language classes either at hotels or the Department has arranged transport to locations so people can attend.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Kickstart scheme placements have been (a) approved, (b) advertised and (c) started by young people, by (i) nation, (ii) region and (iii) sector.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
As of the 2nd November, 98,000 young people have started a Kickstart job. Over 215,000 jobs have been made available for young people to apply to through the scheme and over 304,000 jobs have been approved for funding.
From 28/09/2021 to 25/10/2021, on average over 6,700 Kickstart jobs were made available each week, and on average over 3,400 young people started a Kickstart job each week.
Below are tables listing the number of Kickstart jobs which have been made available and started by young people to date by geographical area of Great Britain and work sector. The figures used are correct as of the 2nd November and these figures have been rounded according to departmental standards.
Jobs made available and starts quoted here include some unfunded Kickstart jobs. Over time, some previously approved jobs have been removed where the employer chose not to follow up the application.
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.
Table 1- Kickstart jobs made available and started by location.
Location | Jobs Made Available | Cumulative Jobs Started |
East Midlands | 13,020 | 6,030 |
East of England | 17,130 | 6,900 |
London | 46,790 | 20,990 |
North East | 8,660 | 4,600 |
North West | 26,720 | 12,460 |
Scotland | 16,040 | 8,400 |
South East | 24,310 | 10,580 |
South West | 15,080 | 6,230 |
Wales | 11,100 | 4,730 |
West Midlands | 19,270 | 9,070 |
Yorkshire and The Humber | 16,830 | 7,830 |
*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals. |
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Table 2- Kickstart jobs made available and started by sector.
Sector | Jobs Made Available | Cumulative Jobs Started |
Administration | 53,230 | 24,440 |
Animal Care | 1,250 | 760 |
Beauty & Wellbeing | 1,600 | 780 |
Business & Finance | 7,770 | 3,570 |
Computing Technology & Digital | 14,950 | 8,070 |
Construction & Trades | 6,500 | 3,010 |
Creative & Media | 17,550 | 9,750 |
Delivery & Storage | 6,190 | 2,780 |
Emergency & Uniform Services | 520 | 220 |
Engineering & Maintenance | 6,680 | 3,000 |
Environment & Land | 3,990 | 1,930 |
Government Services | 780 | 280 |
Healthcare | 5,330 | 2,060 |
Home Services | 1,560 | 520 |
Hospitality & Food | 25,080 | 8,110 |
Law & Legal | 450 | 310 |
Managerial | 1,070 | 460 |
Manufacturing | 5,820 | 2,590 |
Retail & Sales | 32,510 | 16,340 |
Science & Research | 840 | 490 |
Social Care | 4,750 | 1,590 |
Sports & Leisure | 5,150 | 2,400 |
Teaching & Education | 10,010 | 3,870 |
Transport | 730 | 210 |
Travel & Tourism | 700 | 280 |
*These numbers are rounded and so may not match provided totals. |
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