Oral Answers to Questions

Jeff Smith Excerpts

Monday 21st November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

First, I should say that 90% of out-of-work benefits are paid on time; of course, we always strive to make that better. On the question of whether the Jobcentre Plus network is willing to work with food banks, as I said, there is discretion locally to do that when it makes sense and if the food bank is happy to do so. There are plenty of examples of that happening around the country in terms of both signposting from Jobcentre Plus and work coaches going to food banks.

[Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)]

14. What steps his Department is taking to ensure that personal independence payment assessments are undertaken fairly and appropriately.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Penny Mordaunt)]

Our policy is designed by service-user panels, provision is strictly monitored and measured by independent audit, and the provider is held to account through our contract with it.

[Jeff Smith]

Citizens Advice and the mental health charity Mind told the Public Accounts Committee in March that private contractor assessors were comprehensively failing claimants with mental health issues, so what progress has been made since in the recruitment of registered mental health nurses by healthcare assessment providers to ensure that claimants with mental health issues get the support they need?

[Penny Mordaunt]

Since then we have introduced a number of new measures, including improved training and additional recruitment. We are also monitoring to ensure those doing assessments are referring to mental health services if they feel that that is required.