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  • Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of single people who will be claiming universal credit in the first year of the roll-out of universal credit in the six boroughs of the Merseyside Jobcentre Plus district.

    Esther McVey

    [Holding answer 1 May 2014]

    The Department announced on 5th December 2013 that Universal Credit would roll out in the North West in Summer 2014. The Department confirmed on 30 April that it is now in discussion with relevant Local Authorities in the North West on the detailed planning to make that happen.

    As with Jobseeker’s Allowance, the Department does not hold forecasts of UC claimant numbers split by both borough, and then by marital status within that borough. Claimant numbers at this degree of detail will be influenced by a range of factors; these include likely local demographics and likely economic conditions within each borough. It is not possible to combine these in any meaningful way, and any such estimates might prove to be unreliable.

  • Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Frank Field – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Frank Field on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many short-term benefit advances were made between April 2013 and March 2014.

    Esther McVey

    The total number of Short Term Benefit Advances made between April 2013 and March 2014 was 78,021.

  • Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Kate Green – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kate Green on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether all staff employed by Atos Healthcare to perform the company’s contract with his Department for the conduct of work capability assessments will receive full protection under TUPE provisions.

    Mike Penning

    When Atos Healthcare withdraws from the delivery of work capability assessments in February 2015, a new national provider will be brought in. It is expected that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations will apply and most of the Atos Healthcare employees will transfer to the new provider.

  • Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Stephen Timms – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobseeker’s allowance claimants have been made subject to a benefit sanction since 26 June 2013 because they have not been prepared to learn English.

    Esther McVey

    The information requested is not available.

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support people with the rising cost of funerals.

    Steve Webb

    The Social Fund Funeral Payment scheme continues to provide help towards a simple, respectful, low-cost funeral. In 2012/13, over 35,000 awards were made worth £42.7 million, with an average award of £1,225.

    Social Fund Budgeting Loans are also available to those on income related benefits to cover costs relating to funeral expenses.

    In addition, any arrears of benefit which were due to the deceased at date of death are disregarded. This means that such arrears are no longer deducted from the funeral payment award.

  • Alun Cairns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Alun Cairns – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alun Cairns on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to improve broadband coverage in rural areas.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    Phase one of the superfast roll-out programme is making good progress with all 44 projects in delivery.

    Two thirds of projects (29 out of 44) have live superfast cabinets making superfast broadband available to thousands of homes and businesses across the country.

    We are now investing the additional £250 million to take coverage of superfast broadband to 95% of UK premises

  • Barry Sheerman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Barry Sheerman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that women’s rights are not undermined by the use of Sharia law.

    Mr Shailesh Vara

    The Government is committed to the protection and promotion of women’s rights. Sharia law has no jurisdiction in England and Wales and the Government has no intention of changing this position. Everyone is equal before the law.

  • Meg Hillier – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Meg Hillier – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Meg Hillier on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effects of betting shops located in areas with high levels of deprivation on those areas.

    Mrs Helen Grant

    The Health Surveys for England and Scotland show that the relationship between gambling related harm and deprivation is mixed. The proposals I announced yesterday will ensure that betting shop customers are subject to greater protections wherever they are based – whether that be areas of deprivation or otherwise.

  • Andrew Bridgen – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Andrew Bridgen – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Bridgen on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that superfast broadband is available in remote areas of the UK.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    A new £10 million competitive fund opened on 21 March to market test innovative solutions to deliver superfast broadband services to the most difficult to reach remaining areas of the UK.

    The pilot projects will explore how to reach these areas; and we’ll use learning from the pilots to inform future government investment decisions

  • Julie Hilling – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    Julie Hilling – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture Media and Sport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Hilling on 2014-04-28.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to take steps to bring music video ratings into line with BBFC standards.

    Mr Edward Vaizey

    Parents tell us they want age ratings on music videos which are unsuitable for younger children.

    We recently consulted on legislation to introduce BBFC age ratings for music DVDs unsuitable for children under 12. We expect to introduce the legislation to Parliament within the coming months and will bring the new age rating requirements into force as soon as possible.

    I also welcome the commitment the music industry has made to pilot BBFC age ratings for online music videos.