Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the average contribution of (a) save as you earn and (b) share incentive plan schemes to the lifetime savings of people that use those schemes.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Save As You Earn (SAYE) and Share Incentive Plan (SIP) schemes are tax-advantaged employee share schemes offered by the Government.
On point (b) of UIN 119250, the value of gain for the whole of the UK for SAYE schemes is provided in the Employee Share Scheme national statistics. A breakdown by country could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. The data for the past three years (whole UK) is provided in the table below:
Year | Value of gain on exercised options (£m) |
2018/19 | 420 |
2017/18 | 350 |
2016/17 | 360 |
On UIN 119249, point (a) of UIN 119250, and UIN 119251, the information requested is not readily available and would require analysis of multiple data sources and therefore could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
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 effect on disabled claimants of legislation to convert the severe disability premium transitional payment into a transitional element.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Severe Disability Premium transitional payments are part of the wider transitional protection framework and it has always been the intention to convert Severe Disability Premium transitional payments into a transitional element as soon as we had developed the capability to do so safely and effectively. This ensures fair and equal treatment for all people receiving a transitional element. When the Severe Disability Premium transitional payment is converted to a transitional element the flat rate payment will be the same amount and will be included in the Universal Credit award.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2020 to Question 84635 on Social Security Benefits, what recent assessment she has made of the accessibility of telephone assessments for claimants of (a) personal independence payment and (b) other welfare benefits during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
All of our assessment providers are advised to consider the needs of claimants when arranging assessment appointments. If a claimant believes they may have difficulties attending their appointment or that they need additional support, the claimant should discuss this with their provider as soon as possible, using the contact details on their appointment letter.
We are aware that for some claimants, particularly those with certain health conditions or disabilities, it may not be possible or appropriate to carry out assessments over the telephone. Where it is not possible to carry out a Personal Independence Payment telephone assessment, a decision will be made based on all the evidence available to ensure any payment is not delayed. For Work Capability Assessments, claimants will remain on their current award until we gather the evidence needed to make a recommendation or are able to conduct a face to face assessment, or until their benefit is due to end (new-style ESA).
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of claimants have been kept on the assessment rate of new style employment and support allowance because they cannot access a telephone assessment; and what conditions those claimants have.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not held.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
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 resume the universal credit managed migration pilot in Harrogate.
Answered by Will Quince
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, and the significant increase in the Universal Credit caseload to 5.7 million, the decision was taken to temporarily suspend the Move to UC pilot in the area served by Harrogate Jobcentre, as part of the Government’s wider and ongoing response to the pandemic.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
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 effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the timeline for the rollout of universal credit.
Answered by Will Quince
The Department successfully completed the rollout of Universal Credit in December 2018 and it is available in every Jobcentre across the country.
Universal Credit has stood up to the challenge of the COVID-19, whereas the previous legacy benefit system would have buckled under the pressure, with millions of people able to access welfare which is fairer and more generous. The application process is deliberately designed to be as quick and easy as possible, so that claimants receive money at the earliest opportunity. Universal Credit is a predominantly digital service, ensuring we make best use of technology to deliver a modern and effective working-age welfare system, allowing our staff to concentrate on those people who require additional support
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of additional disabled claimants she plans to naturally migrate to universal credit as a result of delays to managed migration.
Answered by Will Quince
Natural migrations to Universal Credit occur when a legacy benefit claimant has a change of circumstances that means that they need to make a new claim for support. In these cases, they will claim Universal Credit rather than a legacy benefit. As natural migrations only occur when a claimant’s circumstances change, the Department cannot and does not plan such moves.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
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 Government’s proposed reform to the Retail Prices Index methodology on pension schemes.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As you will be aware, at the Budget in March the Government published, jointly with the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), a consultation on reform to Retail Prices Index (RPI) Methodology. The consultation sought views on whether UKSA’s proposal to reform RPI should be implemented at a date other than 2030, and if so, when between 2025 and 2030. As part of the consultation, the Government invited views on matters including how the holders of the Government’s issues of index-linked gilts, all of which use RPI as their reference rate, will be affected by the implementation of reform.
The consultation closed on 21 August, since when the Government has been considering the responses to the consultation. The potential effect of the proposed reform is a matter for HMT, which is the lead government department. The Government and UKSA’s response to the consultation will be published alongside the Spending Review on 25 November.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to maximise uptake of the Warm Home Scheme among pensioners eligible for Pension Credit but not yet claiming that benefit.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
Under the Warm Home Discount, obligated energy suppliers can spend a maximum of £40 million on Industry Initiatives. This includes a range of activities that offer support to customers who are at greater risk of fuel poverty, particularly those not on benefits who may not be eligible for a £140 rebate. Support provided under Industry Initiatives includes benefit entitlement checks and referrals for rebates, as well as energy saving advice, energy debt assistance and fuel vouchers.
The Government’s Warm Home Discount website is widely signposted and used by consumer groups, charities and energy comparison websites to raise awareness of the benefits of signing up for Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and maximise uptake of the Warm Home Scheme.
Asked by: Neil Gray (Scottish National Party - Airdrie and Shotts)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effect of low pension credit uptake on (a) pensioner poverty and (b) fuel poverty.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
No assessments have been made.