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  • Andrew Bridgen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Andrew Bridgen – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) the Access to Work scheme and (b) its administration.

    Penny Mordaunt

    Access to Work continues to support over 36,000 people per year take up or retain employment. Last year the scheme helped people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and young people in larger numbers than ever before.

    On 2 September 2016 we launched the Access to Work Digital Service in response to customer feedback requesting a more convenient, accessible and quicker process. This transformation will also enable staff to administer the scheme more efficiently as we look to increase the number of disabled people who could be helped into or remain in work as part of the Government’s ambition to halve the disability employment gap.

    The Spending Review announcement confirmed we’re increasing the capacity of Access to Work through a real term increase in spending starting in 16/17. Funding will reflect the numbers of applicants and their needs, and recognises expected increases in demand of around 25,000 extra customers by the end of the Parliament.

    To support this we have been working with jobcentres, businesses and local organisations to promote the Access to Work Scheme. We have also promoted Access to Work as part of the Disability Confident Campaign and are currently looking at further marketing and promotion of the Access to Work programme.

  • John Healey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    John Healey – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Healey on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 16 February 2016 to Question 26142, if he will publish the names of the successful bidders to become trusted partner pilots for the purposes of universal credit alternative payment arrangements.

    Damian Hinds

    The landlords selected give a representative sample and consist of stock owning Local Authorities, Arm’s length managed organisations (ALMOs) and Housing Associations.

    The six Housing Associations below form the original proof of concept landlords who have continued to pilot Trusted Partner since it began in March 2015.

    • Magenta Living
    • First Choice Homes Oldham
    • Places for People
    • Community Gateway
    • Your Housing Group
    • New Charter

    The individual landlords below form the second phase of the Trusted Partner Pilot:

    • A2Dominion Group
    • Aster Group
    • Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils
    • Catalyst Housing Ltd
    • Eildon Housing Association
    • Highland Council
    • Home Group Ltd
    • Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing
    • London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
    • NPT Homes
    • Riverside
    • Sanctuary Housing Association Ltd
    • Shoreline Housing
    • Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing
    • Southampton City Council
    • Together Housing Group
    • Wheatley Housing Group
    • Your Homes Newcastle
    • Cardiff consortium

    This is a group of social landlords piloting a collaborative working approach where they are building on an existing partnership working approach towards housing in Cardiff. The members of the group are:

    • Cardiff Council
    • Wales & West Housing Association
    • United Welsh Housing Association
    • Linc Cymru
    • Cardiff Community Housing Association
    • Hafod Housing Association
    • Taff Housing Association
    • Cadwyn Housing Association
  • Rosie Cooper – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Rosie Cooper – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Atos and the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments are required to refund costs incurred by people in supplying the medical information to those bodies required by his Department.

    Penny Mordaunt

    Claimants are not required to obtain further medical evidence for which they may be charged. Health and disability assessment providers will contact the individual’s GP should they feel additional evidence is required. No refund will be provided to a claimant should they choose to obtain additional evidence.

  • Alex Chalk – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Alex Chalk – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Chalk on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will amend the eligibility criteria for bereavement benefits to enable unmarried couples who have cohabited for many years to claim the same bereavement benefits as married couples and civil partners.

    Caroline Nokes

    A key principle of the National Insurance system is that all rights to benefits derived from another person’s contributions are based on the concept of legal marriage or civil partnership. This is a long-standing position in bereavement benefits and will continue under the new Bereavement Support Payment, the provisions of which were debated during the passage of the Pensions Act 2014.

    Marriage and civil partnerships are legal contracts that are associated with certain rights, including inheritance, recognition in the tax system and entitlement to certain benefits. Given this legal position, the Government has no plans to extend eligibility for bereavement benefits to cohabitees.

    However, cohabitees do have access to income-related benefits. They may also qualify for help with funeral costs from the Social Fund and may of course choose to provide security for their families by way of private pension or life insurance arrangements.

  • Holly Lynch – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Holly Lynch – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Holly Lynch on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the efficacy of maximum workplace temperature regulations in protecting workers’ health and well-being.

    Penny Mordaunt

    A review of maximum workplace temperatures took place in 2010 and concluded that the legislation and supporting guidance is sufficient.

    The existing law on workplace temperature, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, places a legal obligation on employers to provide a ‘reasonable’ temperature in the workplace. A meaningful figure is not set out in regulations due to the factors, other than air temperature, which determine thermal comfort (for example, the radiant temperature, humidity and air velocity). These factors become more significant and the interplay between them more complex as the temperature rises.

    Detailed guidance on workplace temperature and thermal comfort is available on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website (http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/). This includes how to undertake a thermal comfort assessment and measures that can be taken to improve thermal comfort.

    “

  • Andrew Stephenson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    Andrew Stephenson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) benefits and (b) risks of using electrical socket safety covers or inserts.

    Margot James

    The Department has not made an assessment of the benefits and risks of using electrical socket covers or inserts.

    Under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 all products placed on the UK market must be safe and any products that do not comply can be removed from sale by Trading Standards.

    There are no reports of death or injury as a result of the use of socket covers.

  • Andrew Stephenson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    Andrew Stephenson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Stephenson on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has received on the potential introduction of a ban on electrical socket safety covers or inserts.

    Margot James

    The Department has received representations from FatallyFlawed.org.uk putting forward their view that socket covers should be banned as they believe them to be unnecessary and dangerous due to the safety shutter system installed as standard in UK electrical sockets.

    Under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, all products placed on the UK market must be safe and any products that do not comply can already be removed from sale by Trading Standards. There are no reports of injuries or death as a result of the use of socket covers.

  • Deidre Brock – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Trade

    Deidre Brock – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Trade

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Deidre Brock on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support the Government offers to UK-based companies involved in investor-state disputes with other nations.

    Mark Garnier

    The Government does not provide legal advice to UK investors involved in investor-state disputes. Ministers or officials may raise them with the relevant authorities, but the decision on whether or not do so is made on a case by case basis.

    Her Majesty’s Government posts overseas offer investment and political information to UK businesses; provide assistance where necessary to resolve problems such as customs or port clearance or those arising from any local practices that are potentially discriminatory against British business; and information to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.

  • Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the response of the then Minister of State in the Department for Energy and Climate Change to the Oral Question of 14 July 2016, Official Report, column 411, what assessment he has made of the effect of the publication of the National Grid’s four plausible and credible pathways for the UK’s energy sector between now and 2020 on the likelihood of the UK meeting the EU-mandated target to increase renewables to 15 per cent of energy consumption by 2020.

    Mr Nick Hurd

    We have considered the National Grid’s report but this is one assessment from one organisation. In 2015 25% of electricity generated came from wind farms, solar panels and other renewable power sources.

    On the UK’s progress towards meeting the 2020 target we are currently progressing in line with the trajectory set out in the Renewable Energy Directive, having met the Directive’s interim targets.

  • Richard Graham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Richard Graham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Graham on 2016-09-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of the introduction of the apprenticeship levy on companies which pay into other industry levy schemes.

    Robert Halfon

    The apprenticeship levy will enable us to improve the technical and professional skills of the workforce. It will encourage employers to invest in their apprentices and take on more, by putting apprenticeship funding in their hands. The apprenticeship levy is economy wide. It will apply to all employers with a pay bill over £3,000,000 including those who already pay into an existing levy.

    We are aware that industry is concerned about the potential impact of paying two levies. We are working with the relevant Industry Training Boards for the construction, engineering construction and film industries. They will consult their members on potential future changes to their existing arrangements.