Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the decision to reduce support for disabled people through the Energy Company Obligation scheme, whether an assessment has been made of the impact on the finances of disabled people affected by that change.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The current Energy Company Obligation scheme, ECO4, has been designed to focus support on households with the lowest incomes and alleviate fuel poverty. This will include households with disabled people on the lowest incomes. The scheme is designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes, through the installation of insulation or heating measures. Households benefitting from improvements could save an average of £300 per annum.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's Zero Tolerance policy published on 30 March 2022, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that those policy changes apply to those convicted of sexual offences historically.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The policy is not intended to apply retrospectively, in keeping with the general principle that policy changes are not made retrospective to ensure fairness and the integrity of decisions made under previous policies. In relation to historic cases, those individuals will have been considered for Administrative Action (including discharge) in line with the policy in place in the relevant Service at the time.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's Zero Tolerance policy published on 30 March 2022, whether the policy of ensuring that those found guilty of sexual offences will be administratively discharged from service with no option to serve elsewhere will apply to historic charges of sexual offence.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The policy is not intended to apply retrospectively, in keeping with the general principle that policy changes are not made retrospective to ensure fairness and the integrity of decisions made under previous policies. In relation to historic cases, those individuals will have been considered for Administrative Action (including discharge) in line with the policy in place in the relevant Service at the time.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has taken to work with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to ensure that the Equality Act 2010 is enforced in the benefits system.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Since March 2021, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been corresponding with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about the Department’s duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.
The Department is committed to continuously improving services and delivering in a way that is compassionate and responsive to claimant needs. However, DWP considers it complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and has not identified any systemic unlawful action.
For that reason, DWP has not reached or entered into a legal agreement with the EHRC and therefore there is no timetable planned for publishing a legally binding commitment.
The Department will continue to work collaboratively with the Commission towards fulfilling shared goals and addressing any of their concerns.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her planned timetable is for publishing a legally binding commitment with the Equality and Human Rights Commission that commits her Department to an action plan to meet the needs of benefit recipients with mental health impairments and learning disabilities.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Since March 2021, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been corresponding with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about the Department’s duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.
The Department is committed to continuously improving services and delivering in a way that is compassionate and responsive to claimant needs. However, DWP considers it complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and has not identified any systemic unlawful action.
For that reason, DWP has not reached or entered into a legal agreement with the EHRC and therefore there is no timetable planned for publishing a legally binding commitment.
The Department will continue to work collaboratively with the Commission towards fulfilling shared goals and addressing any of their concerns.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to draw up a legally binding agreement to commit to an action plan that meets the needs of benefit recipients with mental health impairments and learning disabilities.
Answered by Chloe Smith
Since March 2021, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been corresponding with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about the Department’s duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people pursuant to the Equality Act 2010.
The Department is committed to continuously improving services and delivering in a way that is compassionate and responsive to claimant needs. However, DWP considers it complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and has not identified any systemic unlawful action.
For that reason, DWP has not reached or entered into a legal agreement with the EHRC and therefore there is no timetable planned for publishing a legally binding commitment.
The Department will continue to work collaboratively with the Commission towards fulfilling shared goals and addressing any of their concerns.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason the Post Office Ltd Annual Reports and Accounts 2020-21 have not yet been published.
Answered by Paul Scully
Post Office secured an extension for the filing of its Annual Report and Accounts for FY20/21 to 31 March 2022. I understand Post Office expect to publish their Accounts shortly.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Post Office Annual Reports and Accounts for 2020-21 will be published.
Answered by Paul Scully
Post Office secured an extension for the filing of its Annual Report and Accounts for FY20/21 to 31 March 2022. I understand Post Office expect to publish their Accounts shortly.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department's domestic abuse champion provides to (a) civilians who are victims of domestic violence perpetrated by serving military personnel and (b) serving or ex-serving military personnel who are victims of domestic violence perpetrated by serving personnel. .
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Since 2018, we have engaged extensively on the issue of domestic violence, including with survivors' networks, and will shortly publish a revised version of our domestic abuse policy, further making it clear that domestic abuse is incompatible with military and civilian values. Wide ranging support for those impacted by domestic abuse is delivered through the single Services' specialist welfare teams, Unit Welfare Officers, medical staff and through pastoral care. This often involves emotional and practical support, safety and safeguarding planning, multi-agency working and signposting to external resources.
The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Domestic Abuse Champion (DAC) acts as a critical friend to the Defence Domestic Abuse Working Group and promotes our initiatives aimed at tackling domestic abuse for all Defence personnel (serving and civilian). The MOD DAC is working to build an environment in which preventing and responding to domestic abuse and support is an everyday part of our conversations and where both victims and survivors feel confident to speak about their experiences and know where to get support.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to support victims of domestic violence where the perpetrators are serving military personnel.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Since 2018, we have engaged extensively on the issue of domestic violence, including with survivors' networks, and will shortly publish a revised version of our domestic abuse policy, further making it clear that domestic abuse is incompatible with military and civilian values. Wide ranging support for those impacted by domestic abuse is delivered through the single Services' specialist welfare teams, Unit Welfare Officers, medical staff and through pastoral care. This often involves emotional and practical support, safety and safeguarding planning, multi-agency working and signposting to external resources.
The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Domestic Abuse Champion (DAC) acts as a critical friend to the Defence Domestic Abuse Working Group and promotes our initiatives aimed at tackling domestic abuse for all Defence personnel (serving and civilian). The MOD DAC is working to build an environment in which preventing and responding to domestic abuse and support is an everyday part of our conversations and where both victims and survivors feel confident to speak about their experiences and know where to get support.