The below Parliamentary question was asked by Corri Wilson on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants, from which areas, have been asked to attend medical assessment appointments in Edinburgh by Atos due to a lack of appointments available in Glasgow; and how many benefit claimants are currently being assessed at (a) the Edinburgh centre and (b) the Glasgow centre.
Justin Tomlinson
The Department does not hold this information.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2016-02-02.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to reduce levels of family debt; and what assessment he has made of current tends in those levels.
Harriett Baldwin
In Q3 2015 household debt fell to 142 per cent of household income, down from its peak of 168 per cent in Q1 2008. The Government’s plan for a higher wage, lower welfare society makes it easier for families and working people to save, and includes the new National Living Wage which will mean a pay boost for 1.7 million workers this year.
Nonetheless, the Government recognises that there are those who face problem levels of debt. The Money Advice Service (MAS) is responsible for the coordination of publically funded free to client debt advice and is financed by a levy on the financial services industry. MAS is currently consulting on its business plan; it has proposed levying for a constant debt advice budget for 2016/17 providing around £45 million.
The Government is currently reviewing how the public provision of free-to-client, impartial financial guidance, including consumer debt advice services, should be structured. The Public Financial Guidance consultation closed in December 2015 and the Government will report back by budget.
Additionally, we have created the independent Financial Policy Committee within the Bank of England, to ensure emerging risks and vulnerabilities across the financial system as a whole, including in relation to household debt, are identified, monitored and effectively addressed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Cox on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress he has made on the transfer of responsibility for attendance allowance to local authorities.
Justin Tomlinson
Later this year, the Government will consult on giving more responsibility to support older people with care needs to Local Authorities in England and to Wales, including people who, under the current system, would be supported through Attendance Allowance. Work on the consultation is progressing with the relevant departments, and officials will work with stakeholders throughout the consultation process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Cox on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and local government representatives on transferring responsibility of attendance allowance to local authorities.
Justin Tomlinson
Later this year, the Government will consult on giving more responsibility to support older people with care needs to Local Authorities in England and to Wales, including people who, under the current system, would be supported through Attendance Allowance. Work on the consultation is progressing with the relevant departments, and officials will work with stakeholders throughout the consultation process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Gray on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people the £7 million fund for Employability in Scotland will assist in 2016-17.
Priti Patel
As funding for the new Work and Health Programme will be devolved in Scotland, by definition it will be for the Scottish Government to decide how many people it chooses to support through their devolved programme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jo Cox on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department paid out in attendance allowance in each of the last three years.
Justin Tomlinson
The Department publishes historic benefit expenditure and caseload data consistent with the annual Budget and Autumn Statements. These are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-expenditure-and-caseload-tables-2015
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diana Johnson on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people (a) nationally and (b) in Hull undergoing dialysis (i) applied for and (ii) were awarded personal independence payment in each of the last three years.
Justin Tomlinson
The information requested is not available as information on treatment is not recorded centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will place in the Library the action plan produced by the current Tata Steel Task Force.
Stephen Crabb
The Welsh Taskforce was convened on 20 January and met subsequently on 1 February. The next meeting will be held on 15 February.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, attended the meeting on 1 February and will attend future meetings whenever practicable. Due to prior commitments he was unable to attend the first meeting and the Wales Office Director represented the Department. UK Government officials also attend Taskforce meetings.
The Taskforce is chaired by Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart. Minutes of the Taskforce and any agreed programme of work are matters for the Welsh Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the Tata Steel Task Force meetings on 20 January 2016 and 1 February 2016.
Stephen Crabb
The Welsh Taskforce was convened on 20 January and met subsequently on 1 February. The next meeting will be held on 15 February.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, attended the meeting on 1 February and will attend future meetings whenever practicable. Due to prior commitments he was unable to attend the first meeting and the Wales Office Director represented the Department. UK Government officials also attend Taskforce meetings.
The Taskforce is chaired by Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart. Minutes of the Taskforce and any agreed programme of work are matters for the Welsh Government.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ferrier on 2016-02-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, who from his Department attended the Tata Steel Task Force meeting on (a) 20 January 2016 and (b) 1 February 2016.
Stephen Crabb
The Welsh Taskforce was convened on 20 January and met subsequently on 1 February. The next meeting will be held on 15 February.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, attended the meeting on 1 February and will attend future meetings whenever practicable. Due to prior commitments he was unable to attend the first meeting and the Wales Office Director represented the Department. UK Government officials also attend Taskforce meetings.
The Taskforce is chaired by Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart. Minutes of the Taskforce and any agreed programme of work are matters for the Welsh Government.