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 that the closure of Phoenix House on those seeking to claim (a) Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, (b) Pneumoconiosis compensation, and (c) the Mesothelioma Scheme due to asbestos-related illnesses.

Plans to close Phoenix House were announced in 2017. Capability is being built in both Bradford and Barnsley to ensure the Department can continue to process claims for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit when Barrow closes, to the same high quality. This includes those customers who claim with asbestos related diseases, or under schemes such as the “Workers’ Compensation Scheme, Pneumoconiosis (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 and the 2008 Mesothelioma Scheme.