Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts
Monday 18th March 2019

(5 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alok Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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We are starting on this work; I made reference to the speech that the Secretary of State made earlier this month. However, if my right hon. Friend has a specific case to raise, we will be very happy to take it up.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)
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6. How many people in Kettering constituency receive (a) personal independence payment, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) universal credit.

Amber Rudd Portrait The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Amber Rudd)
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I am pleased to say that since 2013 the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits in Kettering has decreased by over a third. The latest published statistics show that there are 3,520 people on PIP in Kettering, 35% of whom are getting the highest rates, compared with 14% of working-age disability living allowance recipients in the area when PIP was introduced.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Hollobone
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It is taking too long for those who are refused PIP to successfully appeal against the decision. Across the country, it takes 190 days, and the worst 10% of cases in the east midlands now take 300 days. What percentage of PIP refusals are successfully overturned on appeal?

Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd
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I share my hon. Friend’s concern that it is taking too long, and that too many appeals are indeed overturned. That is why I committed in my most recent statement to making sure that we look again at mandatory considerations to make them more effective, so that we can start to reverse this. I share his concerns and I am addressing the issue.