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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Tom Greatrex on Energy and Climate Change.

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Michael Fallon

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 June 2014, Official Report, Column 235-6W.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Valerie Vaz on Work and Pensions.

1

Esther McVey

(a) Number of customer helplines with a prefix of 0845 is 139

(b) The Department does not operate any 0844 numbers

(c) The Department does not operate any 0843 numbers

Data sources and metric definitions will be placed in the library.

All numbers currently owned by Network Services relate to calls either managed entirely within the Department or split between DWP and outsourcing partners. If the Department sponsors any numbers on behalf of third parties data is not included within Network Services reporting.

During 2014 DWP are introducing 0345 numbers to run alongside existing 0845 numbers to provide a choice for the caller based on the arrangement they have with their telephony provider. Using 0345 numbers allows DWP to use the same last 7 digits as its 0845 range.

Charges for calls to 0345/0845 numbers vary and depend on the person’s contract with their provider. When charges apply the costs are shown on the following web page for the Gov.uk site (www.gov.uk/call-charges)

If a customer raises concerns over the cost of a call we will offer to call them back from our enquiry lines. The Department also provides controlled access to telephones for claimants who require one in support of their jobsearch or benefit enquiry.

The department does not operate any prefixes that begin with 0844 or 0843 therefore no alternative numbers are available.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Rehman Chishti on Business, Innovation and Skills.

1

Jenny Willott

Our main labour market policy to improve the position of the low paid is the National Minimum Wage. We have asked the Low Pay Commission to review and recommend minimum wage rates for 2015 that maximise wages without damaging employment.

We have also increased the focus on compliance and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage in order to ensure that those entitled to it, receive it.

In addition to the National Minimum Wage we are raising the personal tax allowance so that people take home more of what they earn.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Iain McKenzie on Business, Innovation and Skills.

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Jenny Willott

The Government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have 173 staff dedicated to the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage.

The Government is already taking tougher action on employers that break minimum wage law. We have made it simpler to name and shame employers that don’t pay the national minimum wage and increased the financial penalty that employers pay for breaking the law.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Kelvin Hopkins on Home Office.

1

Norman Baker

The Advisory Board is a strategic sounding board for the Alcohol Impact pilot, providing NUS with advice to enable it to:
• maximise the impact and success of the pilot;
• identify, and react to, strategic barriers and opportunities in the short,
medium and long-term;
• identify, and develop, influential and effective strategic partnerships for
the Programme;
• develop a strong legacy plan beyond the pilot.

Representatives for the board were selected by the NUS, in consultation with the Home Office, to provide a cross-section of groups who have expertise in a project that combines alcohol and the night-time economy, crime, higher education and community interests.

In addition to officials from the NUS and Home Office, 19 external advisors form the NUS Alcohol Impact Advisory Board.

They are representatives of:
• Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education
• Association of University Directors of Estates
• Addaction
• Portman Group
• Association of Town and City Management
• British Universities and Colleges Sport
• Research and Analysis
• Leeds University Union
• Universities UK
• Best Bar None
• GuildHE
• Newcastle University
• Northamptonshire Police
• Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers
• Greater Manchester Police
• British Beer and Pub Association
• Public Health England
• Best Bar None

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson on Work and Pensions.

1

Mike Penning

The information you have requested is not available.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Stephen Timms on Work and Pensions.

1

Esther McVey

There is one single plan for a Universal Credit on-line service. The current live service is already offering more online services than ever before, with stronger work incentives to get people back into work, and this week we started its expansion across the North West of England. The enhanced digital system is an extension of the current online services and will integrate work and benefits activity, making best use of technology.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Charlotte Leslie on Work and Pensions.

1

Mike Penning

Last year’s Spending Review determined budgets for 2015/16 only. This applies to all aspects of government expenditure not just ex-ILF funding. Budgets for later years will be determined in a later Spending Review; the timing of this is not known but it is likely to be after the next general election.

Following the closure of the ILF it will be the responsibility of the Department of Health and the devolved administrations to ensure that they reflect the needs of ILF users in future funding bids.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Andrew Jones on Work and Pensions.

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Esther McVey

Since 2010/11 expenditure on benefits and tax credits paid to people not in work has fallen in real terms from £43.2bn to £42.2bn in 2013/14, and is forecast to fall further, to £40.6bn this year. This is due to a combination of factors including welfare reform, changes to benefits and significant employment growth. The number of people in work has risen by 1.7 million since 2010, and the number of people claiming the main out of work benefits has fallen by over 700,000.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Biography information for Catherine McKinnell on Work and Pensions.

1

Steve Webb

We announced our plans for the implementation of universal credit on 5 December, and these were set out in a written ministerial statement. The WMS can be found here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131205/wmstext/131205m0001.htm#13120551000006

Official statistics on universal credit were most recently published on 11 June and can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-statistics-apr-2013-to-31-march-2014

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