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  • Damian Hinds – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Damian Hinds – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Damian Hinds on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on economic development in Northern Ireland.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    I regularly hold discussions with Executive ministers on a range of economic issues.

    Last week, I chaired a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Task Force on Banking and Access to Finance which was established to help Northern Ireland businesses access finance.

  • Mr John Baron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Mr John Baron – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr John Baron on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made on the review of so-called letters of comfort issued to on-the-runs.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    On 11 March I appointed Lady Justice Hallett to carry out an independent inquiry into the administrative scheme dealing with so-called ‘on the runs’.

    The terms of reference require the provision of a full public account of the operation and extent of the scheme.

    I will lay a copy of the report before the House as soon as practicable after I receive it.

  • Andrew Selous – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Andrew Selous – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Selous on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on economic development in Northern Ireland.

    Mrs Theresa Villiers

    I regularly hold discussions with Executive ministers on a range of economic issues.

    Last week, I chaired a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Task Force on Banking and Access to Finance which was established to help Northern Ireland businesses access finance.

  • Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    Jim Shannon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to increase the amount of government spending allocated to Northern Ireland.

    Mr Andrew Robathan

    The Government continues to provide considerable additional support and, as a result of spending decisions announced at Budget, the Executive will receive positive Barnett consequentials of over £21 million. However, the long term answer for the Northern Ireland economy is a private sector revival and not increases in Government spending.

  • Natascha Engel – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Natascha Engel – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Natascha Engel on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what charges are incurred by those appealing against a benefit assessment ruling.

    Mike Penning

    This is a matter for the Ministry of Justice.

    They have no plans to introduce fees to bring an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support).

  • Mr Dave Watts – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Mr Dave Watts – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Dave Watts on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish an assessment of the likely effect of the change to pensions announced in the 2014 Budget on the budget for welfare payments over the next ten years.

    Steve Webb

    The impact on welfare spending will depend on how people choose to use their savings; the choices people make may increase or decrease the likelihood of them being eligible for means tested benefits at some point in their retirement. However we are talking about people who have saved for their future and therefore we would expect the numbers choosing to rely solely on welfare benefits to be small.

    The introduction of the single-tier pension also means that the majority of people will have a state pension income above the basic means test.

    The details of the policy and the guidance offer are being developed and we are consulting on this.

  • Mrs Mary Glindon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Mrs Mary Glindon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mrs Mary Glindon on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants have received the personal independence payment since April 2013.

    Mike Penning

    PIP is a brand new benefit that is replacing the broken DLA system, we published early management information on Tuesday 11 February 2014. Between April and December 2013, around 22,000 new claimants had been given an award of PIP.

  • David Rutley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    David Rutley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Rutley on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what changes he plans to make to the ability of EU migrants to access benefits.

    Esther McVey

    We have introduced a range of measures to tighten up our EEA migration rules to ensure our welfare system is not taken advantage of.

    Since December 2013 Migrants have had to take a stronger, more robust Habitual Residence Test if they want to claim income-related benefits.

    From 1 January 2014, EEA job seekers must have been living in the UK for three months before they can claim income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

    If they satisfy HRT a new statutory presumption will mean that EEA jobseekers and retained workers will then only be able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance for six months. After six months, only those who have compelling evidence that they have a genuine prospect of finding work will be able to continue claiming.

    Since the 1 March the Minimum Earnings Threshold is helping to determine whether an EEA national’s previous or current work can be treated as genuine and effective in deciding whether they have a right to reside in the UK as a worker or a self employed person.

    From 1 April 2014 new EEA Jobseekers will be unable to access Housing Benefits even if they are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the performance of the Innovation Fund to Support Separated Families.

    Steve Webb

    We are funding 17 projects to help and support separated families in various parts of the country and piloting a range of approaches. The schemes conclude by April 2015 after which we will publish a full, independent evaluation.

  • Jesse Norman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Jesse Norman – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jesse Norman on 2014-03-25.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support young people into work.

    Esther McVey

    The Government’s approach is working. For the 21st consecutive month we have seen the youth claimant count reduce.The Youth Contract is successfully providing young people with the support they require, building on support already available via Jobcentres and the Work Programme. Opportunities available to young people include Work Experience, Sector-based WorkAcademies, traineeships and intensive work searches.