The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mr Mark Williams on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for how many and what proportion of employment and support allowance claimants in the Work Related Activity Group Atos has sought further medical evidence and opinion from the person’s nominated professional.
Mike Penning
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions his Department has had (a) with Post Office Ltd and (b) other payment services providers on offering a wider range of payment outlets at which Post Office Card Account customers can access pensions and benefits.
Steve Webb
The Post Office Card Account can be accessed at any one of around 11,500 branches across the post office network.
No discussions have taken place with Post Office Ltd or other payment services providers about offering a wider range of payment outlets and there are currently no plans to extend the number of outlets at which Post Office Card Account customers can access pensions and benefits.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what change there has been in his Department’s data entry spending in the last year; and what the reasons are for any such change.
Mike Penning
There are no dedicated data entry roles and accordingly no cost to the department can be reliably estimated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff his Department has employed in data entry roles relating to universal credit in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Lancashire in each quarter since 2010.
Mike Penning
There are no dedicated data entry roles and accordingly no cost to the department can be reliably estimated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to his Department was of data entry used under universal credit in each quarter since 2010.
Mike Penning
There are no dedicated data entry roles and accordingly no cost to the department can be reliably estimated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the benefit cap.
Esther McVey
We expect a full evaluation of the policy to be published in autumn 2014.
Latest figures show that 4,250 households that were previously subject to the benefit cap found jobs since the limit was introduced in April 2013.
In total, more than 38,600 households had their benefits capped by January 2014
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the work of his Department’s youth hubs.
Esther McVey
Youth hubs have been set up in some locations under our Freedoms and Flexibilities policy where local managers judge they would be an effective way of supporting young people. There has been positive feedback on them but evaluation is a matter for local Managers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Graham Jones on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the overall cost to his Department of data entry associated with universal credit.
Mike Penning
There are no dedicated data entry roles and accordingly no cost to the department can be reliably estimated.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups.
Esther McVey
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to question number 193382 by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude. Official Report 26 Mar 2014Col. 300W
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his Department’s policy is on allowing officials to appear before all-party parliamentary groups. [193382]
Mr Maude: Guidance on officials appearing before all-party parliamentary groups is set out in Volume 2 of the Directory of Civil Service Guidance, copies of which are available in the Library of the House and online at:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Greatrex on 2014-03-25.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance were sanctioned for failing to complete their job search evidence form on 25 December 2013.
Esther McVey
Claimants are expected to do all that is reasonable within full time working hours in any week to look for work and this is not restricted to specific days.
Claimants with sincerely held religious beliefs can restrict their availability during religious festivals and holidays.