Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her planned timetable is for responding to the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report into changes to women's State Pension age, published on 21 March 2024.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We are actively considering this complex matter and aim to resolve it as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
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 impact of changing eligibility requirements for the winter fuel payment on people with disabilities.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government is committed to pensioners. Everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement.
Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.
Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households that need it most, that is those receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
An equality analysis was produced as part of Ministerial decision making in line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty. This was published on 13 September and can be found here. By convention, such analyses are not published alongside secondary legislation. However, in view of the close public interest in this issue Ministers decided, exceptionally, to publish in this case.
For those with long-term illnesses, the “extra costs” disability benefits (namely Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) in England and Wales; and equivalent benefits in Scotland) provide a tax free, non-income-related contribution towards the extra costs people with a long-term health condition can face, such as additional heating costs. They are paid monthly throughout the year. AA can be worth up to £5,600 a year and recipients are free to use their benefit according to their own priorities.
Receipt of disability benefits can provide a passport to additional amounts in means-tested benefits (notably Pension Credit and Housing Benefit) for those on low incomes providing they meet the other eligibility criteria.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what specific consideration is given to the effect of (a) PTSD and (b) other mental health issues when assessing the needs of veterans.
Answered by Sarah Newton
My Department takes its responsibilities to veterans under the Armed Forces Covenant very seriously and has put in place appropriate arrangements to support veterans, including those with PTSD and other mental health issues.
For example, when a veteran makes a claim for Employment and Support Allowance we use Service Medical Board evidence wherever possible so that the veterans, including those who may be suffering from PTSD or other mental health issues, do not have to undergo additional examinations. In addition, working with the Ministry of Defence we introduced a specific benefit, the Armed Forces Independence Payment, to provide financial support to service personnel and veterans seriously injured as a result of service to cover the extra costs they may have as a result of their injury.
We have also recognised the need for improved training and awareness amongst DWP staff and Providers of such issues, particularly amongst the veteran community. So training on the Armed Forces Covenant and more widely on mental health issues is available to DWP staff. Providers also ensure their health professionals have suitable training. For example, we worked with the Royal British Legion (RBL) to increase awareness of PTSD amongst veterans with Personal Independence Payment assessors and each provider has introduced guidance developed in collaboration with RBL.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-resident parents are in maintenance arrears through the Child Maintenance Service; and what amount of money is outstanding in such arrears in North East Fife constituency.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The department does hold data on the number of non-resident parents who are in maintenance arrears through the Child Maintenance Service and the amount of money which is outstanding in such cases. However this information is not routinely collated at constituency level and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
You may be interested in the Child Maintenance Service Statistics: Regional Tables which are published quarterly. These tables contain the number of parents using the service and measures of compliance for the Collect and Pay service at local authority level.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-aug-2013-to-mar-2018-experimental
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on his Department spending more UK-wide expenditure outwith the Barnett formula in Scotland over the last twelve months.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions meets with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a regular basis to discuss a range of matters of mutual interest.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to prepare for the outcome of the EU referendum.
Answered by Priti Patel - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
The Government is fighting hard to fix the aspects of our EU membership that cause so much frustration in Britain - so we get a better deal for Britain and secure our future. The Government is focused on delivering a successful renegotiation: it believes it can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what further public information campaigns his Department plans to undertake on changes to the pension age.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
DWP has written to individuals affected by State Pension age change and due to reach State Pension age by 2026, using the address details recorded by HMRC at the time.
DWP also makes information on State Pension age changes and who they affect available on Gov.uk, including the option to calculate State Pension age.
We have committed to completing a review of the State Pension age by May 2017. This is an important opportunity to ensure that State Pension age changes are fully considered by Government and well understood by those they affect.
Asked by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what direct notifications pensioners will receive of changes to the pension age.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
DWP has written to individuals affected by State Pension age change and due to reach State Pension age by 2026, using the address details recorded by HMRC at the time.
DWP also makes information on State Pension age changes and who they affect available on Gov.uk, including the option to calculate State Pension age.
We have committed to completing a review of the State Pension age by May 2017. This is an important opportunity to ensure that State Pension age changes are fully considered by Government and well understood by those they affect.