Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will formally respond to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s 2021 report into the impact of State Pension Age equalisation on women.
Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
It would not be appropriate to comment on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's Stage one report published on 20 July 2021. The Ombudsman’s investigation is ongoing and section 7(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 states that Ombudsman investigations “shall be conducted in private”.
This is a multi-staged process, and the Ombudsman has not given his final findings on the investigation. We are cooperating with the Ombudsman’s investigation.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
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 help tackle child poverty in (a) England and (b) Enfield North constituency.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This Government is committed to reducing child poverty and supporting low-income families, and believes work is the best route out of poverty. With a record 1.3 million vacancies across the UK, our focus is firmly on supporting people to move into and progress in work. This approach is based on clear evidence about the importance of parental employment - particularly where it is full-time – in substantially reducing the risks of child poverty and in improving long-term outcomes for families and children.
The latest available data on in-work poverty shows that in 2019/20, children in households where all adults were in work were around six times less likely to be in absolute poverty (before housing costs) than children in a household where nobody works. Compared with 2010, there are nearly 1 million fewer workless households and almost 540,000 fewer children living in workless households in the UK. In 2020/21, there were 200,000 fewer children in absolute poverty before housing costs than in 2009/10.
To help parents into work, our Plan for Jobs is providing broad ranging support for all jobseekers with our Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAP), Job Entry Targeted Support and Restart scheme. Our plan for jobs is providing results. As of 6 July, we estimate that at least 520,400 unemployed Universal Credit claimants and Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants have moved into work during the Way to Work Campaign between 31 January and the end of 30 June 2022.
We are also extending the support Jobcentres provide to people in work and on low incomes. 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 work. This is on top of the support we have already provided by increasing the National Living Wage to £9.50 per hour and giving nearly 1.7 million families an extra £1,000 (on average) a year through our changes to the Universal Credit taper and work allowances.
To further support parents to move into and progress in work, eligible UC claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month up to a maximum of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 per month for two or more children. This is on top of the free childcare offer in England which provides 15 hours a week of free childcare for all 3- and 4-year-olds and disadvantaged 2-year-olds, doubling for working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds to 30 hours a week.
Around 1.9 million of the most disadvantaged pupils are eligible for and claiming a free school meal, saving families around £450 per year. In addition, around 1.25 million more infants enjoy a free, healthy and nutritious meal at lunchtime as well as over 90,000 disadvantaged further education students. We are also investing £200 million a year to continue the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, which benefitted over 600,000 children last summer, and we have increased the value of the Healthy Start Vouchers by a third to £4.25 a week.
On top of this, the government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living. These are global challenges, that is why 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 includes an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England, the current Household Support Fund is already providing £421m of support for the period 1 April – 30 September 2022, at least a third (£140m) will be spent on families with children. Enfield Council has been allocated £9,436,542.83.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report from Cystic Fibrosis UK entitled The cost of cystic fibrosis 2022, what support her Department is providing to people with long-term conditions whose finances are impacted by their condition.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is committed to supporting people living with long term health conditions, including cystic fibrosis.
Currently, no specific assessment has been made of the impact of cystic fibrosis on employment for people. However a range of Government initiatives are supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include the Work and Health Programme, the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident and support in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. We will be investing £1.3bn in employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next three years.
The Government continues to recognise the difficulties carers have in maintaining links to paid work whilst undertaking caring responsibilities. The Government is committed to supporting all individuals and businesses to work flexibly and recently consulted on measures to strengthen the existing right to request flexible working framework. The consultation ran from September to December 2021.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently analysing over 1,600 consultation responses received and will be publishing the next steps in due course.
The Government wants to help carers combine their caring responsibilities with work where they can. Jobcentres can provide support to those carers looking for employment. This will be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances and could range from simply sign-posting them to local vacancies to more intensive employment and training support.
Alongside employment measures such as flexible working, the Government gives carers access to financial support when they need it, by ensuring the benefit systems (including Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit) meet the needs of eligible carers and support employment for those carers who are able to do some work.
The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living which is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. People with cystic fibrosis who receive a qualifying means-tested benefit may be eligible for the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households. In addition, if they receive a disability-related benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, they may also be eligible for a disability Cost of Living Payment of £150.
All domestic electricity customers will also benefit from the £400 support being provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. We are also providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England, the current Household Support Fund is already providing £421m of support for the period 1 April – 30 September 2022 and will be extended until March 2023 with a further £421m.
People with cystic fibrosis may be entitled to support of up to £156.90 a week, tax free, from the extra costs benefits: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; and Personal Independence Payment.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report from Cystic Fibrosis UK entitled The cost of cystic fibrosis 2022, what additional support her Department is providing to those with long term conditions who’s employment opportunities are impacted by their condition.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is committed to supporting people living with long term health conditions, including cystic fibrosis.
Currently, no specific assessment has been made of the impact of cystic fibrosis on employment for people. However a range of Government initiatives are supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include the Work and Health Programme, the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident and support in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. We will be investing £1.3bn in employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next three years.
The Government continues to recognise the difficulties carers have in maintaining links to paid work whilst undertaking caring responsibilities. The Government is committed to supporting all individuals and businesses to work flexibly and recently consulted on measures to strengthen the existing right to request flexible working framework. The consultation ran from September to December 2021.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently analysing over 1,600 consultation responses received and will be publishing the next steps in due course.
The Government wants to help carers combine their caring responsibilities with work where they can. Jobcentres can provide support to those carers looking for employment. This will be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances and could range from simply sign-posting them to local vacancies to more intensive employment and training support.
Alongside employment measures such as flexible working, the Government gives carers access to financial support when they need it, by ensuring the benefit systems (including Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit) meet the needs of eligible carers and support employment for those carers who are able to do some work.
The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living which is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. People with cystic fibrosis who receive a qualifying means-tested benefit may be eligible for the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households. In addition, if they receive a disability-related benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, they may also be eligible for a disability Cost of Living Payment of £150.
All domestic electricity customers will also benefit from the £400 support being provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. We are also providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England, the current Household Support Fund is already providing £421m of support for the period 1 April – 30 September 2022 and will be extended until March 2023 with a further £421m.
People with cystic fibrosis may be entitled to support of up to £156.90 a week, tax free, from the extra costs benefits: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; and Personal Independence Payment.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report from Cystic Fibrosis UK entitled The cost of cystic fibrosis 2022, what steps her Department is taking to support people with cystic fibrosis during the cost of living crisis.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is committed to supporting people living with long term health conditions, including cystic fibrosis.
Currently, no specific assessment has been made of the impact of cystic fibrosis on employment for people. However a range of Government initiatives are supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include the Work and Health Programme, the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident and support in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. We will be investing £1.3bn in employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next three years.
The Government continues to recognise the difficulties carers have in maintaining links to paid work whilst undertaking caring responsibilities. The Government is committed to supporting all individuals and businesses to work flexibly and recently consulted on measures to strengthen the existing right to request flexible working framework. The consultation ran from September to December 2021.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently analysing over 1,600 consultation responses received and will be publishing the next steps in due course.
The Government wants to help carers combine their caring responsibilities with work where they can. Jobcentres can provide support to those carers looking for employment. This will be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances and could range from simply sign-posting them to local vacancies to more intensive employment and training support.
Alongside employment measures such as flexible working, the Government gives carers access to financial support when they need it, by ensuring the benefit systems (including Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit) meet the needs of eligible carers and support employment for those carers who are able to do some work.
The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living which is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. People with cystic fibrosis who receive a qualifying means-tested benefit may be eligible for the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households. In addition, if they receive a disability-related benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, they may also be eligible for a disability Cost of Living Payment of £150.
All domestic electricity customers will also benefit from the £400 support being provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. We are also providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England, the current Household Support Fund is already providing £421m of support for the period 1 April – 30 September 2022 and will be extended until March 2023 with a further £421m.
People with cystic fibrosis may be entitled to support of up to £156.90 a week, tax free, from the extra costs benefits: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; and Personal Independence Payment.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report from Cystic Fibrosis UK entitled The cost of cystic fibrosis 2022, what steps her Department is taking to support people (a) with cystic fibrosis and (b) caring for someone with cystic fibrosis with employment.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is committed to supporting people living with long term health conditions, including cystic fibrosis.
Currently, no specific assessment has been made of the impact of cystic fibrosis on employment for people. However a range of Government initiatives are supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include the Work and Health Programme, the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident and support in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. We will be investing £1.3bn in employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next three years.
The Government continues to recognise the difficulties carers have in maintaining links to paid work whilst undertaking caring responsibilities. The Government is committed to supporting all individuals and businesses to work flexibly and recently consulted on measures to strengthen the existing right to request flexible working framework. The consultation ran from September to December 2021.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently analysing over 1,600 consultation responses received and will be publishing the next steps in due course.
The Government wants to help carers combine their caring responsibilities with work where they can. Jobcentres can provide support to those carers looking for employment. This will be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances and could range from simply sign-posting them to local vacancies to more intensive employment and training support.
Alongside employment measures such as flexible working, the Government gives carers access to financial support when they need it, by ensuring the benefit systems (including Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit) meet the needs of eligible carers and support employment for those carers who are able to do some work.
The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living which is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. People with cystic fibrosis who receive a qualifying means-tested benefit may be eligible for the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households. In addition, if they receive a disability-related benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, they may also be eligible for a disability Cost of Living Payment of £150.
All domestic electricity customers will also benefit from the £400 support being provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. We are also providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England, the current Household Support Fund is already providing £421m of support for the period 1 April – 30 September 2022 and will be extended until March 2023 with a further £421m.
People with cystic fibrosis may be entitled to support of up to £156.90 a week, tax free, from the extra costs benefits: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; and Personal Independence Payment.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report from Cystic Fibrosis UK entitled The cost of cystic fibrosis 2022, what assessment she has made of the impact of cystic fibrosis on employment for people (a) with cystic fibrosis and (b) caring for someone with cystic fibrosis.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The Government is committed to supporting people living with long term health conditions, including cystic fibrosis.
Currently, no specific assessment has been made of the impact of cystic fibrosis on employment for people. However a range of Government initiatives are supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include the Work and Health Programme, the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident and support in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services. We will be investing £1.3bn in employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next three years.
The Government continues to recognise the difficulties carers have in maintaining links to paid work whilst undertaking caring responsibilities. The Government is committed to supporting all individuals and businesses to work flexibly and recently consulted on measures to strengthen the existing right to request flexible working framework. The consultation ran from September to December 2021.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently analysing over 1,600 consultation responses received and will be publishing the next steps in due course.
The Government wants to help carers combine their caring responsibilities with work where they can. Jobcentres can provide support to those carers looking for employment. This will be tailored to their individual needs and circumstances and could range from simply sign-posting them to local vacancies to more intensive employment and training support.
Alongside employment measures such as flexible working, the Government gives carers access to financial support when they need it, by ensuring the benefit systems (including Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit) meet the needs of eligible carers and support employment for those carers who are able to do some work.
The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living which is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. People with cystic fibrosis who receive a qualifying means-tested benefit may be eligible for the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households. In addition, if they receive a disability-related benefit such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, they may also be eligible for a disability Cost of Living Payment of £150.
All domestic electricity customers will also benefit from the £400 support being provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. We are also providing an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing the total funding for this support to £1.5 billion. In England, the current Household Support Fund is already providing £421m of support for the period 1 April – 30 September 2022 and will be extended until March 2023 with a further £421m.
People with cystic fibrosis may be entitled to support of up to £156.90 a week, tax free, from the extra costs benefits: Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; and Personal Independence Payment.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what procedure her Department followed to convert the temporary, fixed term contracts of work coaches who were hired during the covid-19 outbreak, to permanent contracts.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
DWP EO fixed-term colleagues, which included colleagues in Work Coach roles, were invited to apply for permanence via ring-fenced internal campaigns.
To manage overall volumes, we split the overall exercise into 37 campaigns, one per District, using the same standards. As context, in considering where subsequent offers could be made, we did also consider roles in the wider geographic vicinity and where appropriate across nearby Districts.
Colleagues were invited to submit written examples of their work and achievements against Civil Service behaviours with an additional online work-based judgement test. This provided opportunity for colleagues to provide evidence of their knowledge and experience that were assessed, using DWP agreed standards, by our recruitment partner and audited by our own trained DWP business assessors from across the Department throughout to ensure standards aligned and were consistent.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many temporary, fixed term contract work coaches were hired during the covid-19 outbreak; and how many of those were subsequently made permanent.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
From March 2020 and the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Department delivered on our commitment under the Government’s Plan for Jobs to recruit an additional 13,500 EO Work Coaches. This recruitment was a blend of both permanent and fixed term appointments.
As at March 2022, we had 12,000 fixed term EOs across DWP Service Delivery which included 9,950 in Jobcentres. To date, we have made permanence offers to c8,800 DWP EO fixed-term colleagues, which includes 6,400 into Work Coach roles. As we are continuing to consider where we may be able to make any further permanence offers, where further opportunities become available, we are currently unable to give a final number.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the ending of the temporary contracts of temporary work coaches on 30 June 2022 on the level of customer service her Department will provide; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer the honourable member to the answer given to PQ1133.