Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2019 to Question 278405 on Universal Credit: Terminal Illnesses and with reference to the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, if she will extend the review of the universal credit six month rule on terminal illness to Northern Ireland.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The in-depth evaluation announced by the Secretary of State on 11 July refers not only to Universal Credit, but across the range of benefits. My officials are in regular discussion with their counterparts in the Department for Communities, and this will continue during the evaluation.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
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 permanent secretary of the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland on the extension of the review of the universal credit six month rule on terminal illness to Northern Ireland.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Through extensive work at both ministerial and official level, the UK government and devolved administrations continue to work closely together.
With regard the Secretary of State’s announcement of an in depth evaluation of how the benefits system supports people nearing the end of their life and those with the most severe conditions, as the Honourable lady is aware, the Social Security system in Northern Ireland is wholly the responsibility of the Northern Ireland administration. However, I can confirm that my officials have been in touch with officials from the Department for Communities. Furthermore, I can assure the Honourable lady that we will remain in contact with colleagues in Northern Ireland as the evaluation progresses.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the effect of the continued absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly on the welfare system in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
Social security matters are the responsibility of the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland. However, in the absence of the Northern Ireland Assembly, DWP continues to make certain social security legislation at Westminster on behalf of the Department for Communities to ensure parity is maintained.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what preparations her Department has made for the the roll-out of universal credit in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The roll out of Universal Credit in Northern Ireland was successfully completed in December 2018 at the same time as the remainder of the United Kingdom.
As benefit issues are devolved in Northern Ireland the Department for Communities have responsibility for the delivery of Universal Credit with the support of DWP and the Universal Credit Programme. The implementation of Universal Credit was agreed by Northern Ireland Ministers prior to the dissolution of the Northern Ireland assembly and as part of the Fresh Start agreement.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) EU and (b) Irish citizens that have worked in the UK will continue to have their pensions uprated in line with UK pensioners in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As the Government set out in its Policy Paper ‘Citizens’ Rights – EU citizens in the UK and UK Nationals in the EU’ we wish to secure continued reciprocal arrangements covering the up-rating of State Pensions even in the event of a no deal exit. UK State Pensions will be uprated, as they are currently, for those recipients living in EU countries including Ireland for 2019/2020.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the implementation in parts of Northern Ireland of universal credit; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland has responsibility for the delivery of Universal Credit in Northern Ireland, which it does with the support of DWP and the Universal Credit Programme.
Universal Credit has been introduced in Northern Ireland for new claims on a phased geographical basis by post code groups aligned to front office locations. This process started from September 2017.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the progress of the roll-out of universal credit in Northern Ireland in the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly and responsible ministers to oversee that roll-out; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
As benefit issues are devolved in Northern Ireland the Department for Communities (DfC) have responsibility for the delivery of Universal Credit with the support of DWP and the Universal Credit Programme. The implementation of Universal Credit was agreed by NI Ministers prior to the dissolution of the NI assembly and as part of the Fresh Start agreement. As such we continue to deliver as per the agreed plans. Universal Credit has been introduced in Northern Ireland for new claims, on a phased geographical basis by post code groups aligned to front office locations, which started from September 2017 to September 2018.
Asked by: Lady Hermon (Independent - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 25 January 2017, column 295, what extra money the Government has put into reducing the changes in women's pensions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
During the passage of the Pensions Bill 2011, the Government has made a concession worth £1.1 billion to limit the impact of State Pension age increases for those women most affected by them. As a consequence, no women will experience increases of more than 18 months compared to the previous timetable.