Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to tackle (a) workforce sickness and (b) reduced productivity due to air pollution.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Joint DWP and DHSC Work & Health Directorate was set up in 2015 in recognition of the significant link between work and health and to reflect the shared agenda of boosting employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions. This not only benefits people’s health and wealth, but also the UK economy through increased productivity and reduced economic inactivity.
The Government therefore has an ambitious programme of initiatives to support disabled people and people with health conditions, including conditions linked to air pollution, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include: the Work and Health Programme; Access to Work grants; Disability Confident; a digital information service for employers; Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres; and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.
Building on existing provision and the £2 billion investment announced at the Spring Budget, we announced a new package of support in Autumn Statement 2023 to: double the number of places on the Universal Support employment programme; launch WorkWell in approximately 15 pilot areas; and explore new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to support, alongside a newly established occupational health taskforce.
The Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) was established as a joint venture between Defra and the DfT to deliver the Government’s NO2 reduction strategies and they have provided this Department with the following information.
The UK is compliant with all its current domestic and international emission reduction commitments. This includes emissions of ammonia (with the inclusion of an approved adjustment), non-methane volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide.
However, the Government recognises there is more to do to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution, which is why we are taking the significant and wide-ranging action to drive improvements to air quality as set out in our Environmental Improvement Plan 2023.
This action is supported by the Environment Act 2021, through which we set two ambitious new targets for PM2.5, the pollutant most damaging to human health. Our innovative dual-target approach will improve public health by tackling areas where concentrations are highest as well as driving action to reduce exposure for all, maximising public health benefit.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what position the Government is taking in the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals on EU proposals for new hazard classes for (a) endocrine disruptors, persistent, mobile and toxic and very persistent, very mobile substances and (b) persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic and very persistent, very bioaccumulative substances.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has lead responsibility across Government for classification and labelling of chemicals, including the implementation of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (UN GHS) into domestic chemicals regulation. In Great Britain (GB), this is the GB Classification Labelling and Packaging Regulation (known as the GB CLP Regulation).
At the December meeting of the UN GHS, the formulation of a new informal working group ‘potential hazard issues’ was agreed. This group will consider the most appropriate way to take forward the EU’s proposed new ‘hazard classes’ on endocrine disruptors (EDCs), persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile substances (vPvM) and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent, very bioaccumulative substances (vPvB) at the UN GHS level. It is likely this work will take several years to resolve and will need to involve scientific experts from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to ensure the most relevant and up-to-date science is considered in the development of any criteria for classification at the UN GHS.
The UK attended the inaugural meeting of this working group and will continue to be involved, working cooperatively with other delegations in GHS to move towards a consensus position. In order to respond appropriately and engage fully within this working group, HSE will consult with a range of policy and technical experts, from both within HSE and a number of other UK government departments and agencies, to assist in the development of UK views on the issues as they are raised at the UN GHS forum. There are no plans to establish additional hazard classes in the GB CLP Regulation without consensus at the UN GHS.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to include (a) endocrine disruptors, (b) persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substances, (c) very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) substances, (d) persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances and (e) very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances within regulations on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has lead responsibility across Government for classification and labelling of chemicals, including the implementation of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (UN GHS) into domestic chemicals regulation. In Great Britain (GB), this is the GB Classification Labelling and Packaging Regulation (known as the GB CLP Regulation).
At the December meeting of the UN GHS, the formulation of a new informal working group ‘potential hazard issues’ was agreed. This group will consider the most appropriate way to take forward the EU’s proposed new ‘hazard classes’ on endocrine disruptors (EDCs), persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile substances (vPvM) and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent, very bioaccumulative substances (vPvB) at the UN GHS level. It is likely this work will take several years to resolve and will need to involve scientific experts from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to ensure the most relevant and up-to-date science is considered in the development of any criteria for classification at the UN GHS.
The UK attended the inaugural meeting of this working group and will continue to be involved, working cooperatively with other delegations in GHS to move towards a consensus position. In order to respond appropriately and engage fully within this working group, HSE will consult with a range of policy and technical experts, from both within HSE and a number of other UK government departments and agencies, to assist in the development of UK views on the issues as they are raised at the UN GHS forum. There are no plans to establish additional hazard classes in the GB CLP Regulation without consensus at the UN GHS.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential merits of automatic tests for (a) carbon monoxide and (b) other toxins for people who have died of unexplained causes.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions has not held any discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on automatic tests as gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue.
There is a Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which has members from several government departments such as the UK Health Security Agency, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Health and Safety Executive. The Group ensures a joined-up approach to reduce carbon monoxide poisoning and improve gas safety, whilst maintaining an overview of incidents and trends, and publishing an Annual Report to explain the collective work of government.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with representatives of the gas industry on training for operatives to reconnect, relight and test gas appliances for carbon monoxide.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Regulating the safety of gas work is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Standards of training in gas work are overseen by the Gas Safe Register as the Standard Setting Body, and EU Skills who facilitate the Strategic Management Board (SMB). The SMB is deemed to be the scheme owner for the nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for individual gas fitting operatives training in gas work. HSE have a standing invitation to attend all SMB meetings as an observer.
As part of a core training module, all Gas Safe registered engineers are given an awareness of carbon monoxide risks and are trained to carry out the safety checks required by law after work has been carried out. Testing of gas appliances for carbon monoxide is covered in an optional module and businesses should ensure engineers are trained and assessed in this module if they are to carry out such work.
HSE is also a panel member on the industry-led approving committee of metering / ESP Natural Gas Training specification.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the representatives of the fuel industry on the potential merits of awareness campaigns on the dangers of (a) carbon monoxide poisoning and (b) other fuel related dangers.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue. Whilst the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) holds the government lead on domestic gas safety, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for public health; including to advise and raise public awareness of CO. HSE, UKHSA and others contribute to the work of the Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which publishes an Annual Report.
The Gas Safe Register (GSR) run the approved registration scheme for gas engineers on behalf of HSE and, as part of their remit, have responsibility for raising awareness of gas safety and the risks of CO exposure. GSR publish a range of gas safety information and guidance on their website, and regularly run media campaigns to promote key gas safety messages to the general public. This includes promoting and delivering the annual national safety campaign “Gas Safety Week” which has wide ranging coverage.
Further information for gas consumers and landlords relating to domestic gas health and safety is also published on HSE’s website.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the fuel industry on publishing research into toxins from the products of combustion from broken appliances.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue. Whilst the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) holds the government lead on domestic gas safety, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for public health; including to advise and raise public awareness of CO. HSE, UKHSA and others contribute to the work of the Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which publishes an Annual Report.
The Gas Safe Register (GSR) run the approved registration scheme for gas engineers on behalf of HSE and, as part of their remit, have responsibility for raising awareness of gas safety and the risks of CO exposure. GSR publish a range of gas safety information and guidance on their website, and regularly run media campaigns to promote key gas safety messages to the general public. This includes promoting and delivering the annual national safety campaign “Gas Safety Week” which has wide ranging coverage.
Further information for gas consumers and landlords relating to domestic gas health and safety is also published on HSE’s website.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will amend legislation on gas safety checks undertaken by landlords to ensure that the person making the check must either (a) undertake a service according to manufacturer’s instructions or (b) follow the procedures in part four of BS7967 to use Flue Gas Analysers meeting EN50379 to measure the combustion gases for (i) parts per million of CO and (ii) the ratio of CO to CO2 and keep a record of those measurements.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR), which include landlord gas safety duties.
There are no plans to amend the legislation because, under Regulation 36(2) of GSIUR, landlords are already required to ensure that relevant fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition. The Approved Code of Practice states effective maintenance of appliances usually involves an ongoing programme of regular/periodic inspections together with necessary remedial work. In the absence of specific manufacturers’ instructions, it explains what minimum effective maintenance should include.
The Regulations also require landlord gas safety checks to include examinations of a gas appliance, including its operation so as to ensure its safe functioning. This can be achieved in a number of ways including by use of a flue gas analyser. The Landlord Gas Safety Record should include confirmation that the checks undertaken comply with these requirements.
Prescribing the use of flue gas analysers could have an unintended consequence of narrowing the scope of the checks as they cannot be used on all types of appliances.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's press release entitled £7.6 million to help 2,000 adults with autism into work, published on 18 August 2022, whether he plans to increase funding to help support adults with developmental language disorder into work.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The press release refers to our new Local Supported Employment (LSE) service, which aims to help people with learning difficulties and/or autism find and retain work. We are working with 29 local authorities across England and Wales to deliver LSE up until March 2025. Adults with developmental language disorder (DLD) living in those local authority areas will be able to benefit.
There are also other DWP services that can assist adults with DLD. Additional Work Coach support for health journey claimants is a new Work Coach led support offer, which aims to help more disabled people and claimants with a health condition into, and towards, work. This trial of additional Work Coach support is initially available across a third of Jobcentres in England, Scotland and Wales, with plans for the support to be rolled out wider from 2023.
Our Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) role delivers direct support to claimants who require additional work-related support and advice above our core Work Coach offer. DEAs continue to support all Work Coaches to deliver tailored, personalised support to all claimants with a disability or health condition.
Access to Work is a demand-led discretionary grant scheme that provides funding for the extra disability-related costs people have when starting work or maintaining employment, which go beyond the employer’s duty to make reasonable adjustments. It can also support disabled people on an apprenticeship, traineeship, or Supported Internship.
People in particular disadvantaged groups continue to benefit from support through the increased Flexible Support Fund and priority early access to the Work and Health Programme. Intensive Personalised Employment Support provision provides highly personalised packages of employment support for disabled people who want to work but have complex needs or barriers and require specialist support to achieve sustained employment.
We are working with employers to encourage them to become Disability Confident. The Disability Confident scheme encourages employers to think differently about disability and health and to take positive action to address the issues disabled employees face in the workplace.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
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 prevalence of speech, language and communication needs among the long-term unemployed in the latest period for which figures are available.
Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer the honourable Member to the answer given to PQ15249.