The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have undertaken research to establish the number of households likely to be affected by the Benefit Cap in each local authority area.
Lord Freud
The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July. These are available on the Parliament website.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that individuals affected by the abolition of Council Tax Benefit are made aware of their review of that policy and encouraged to participate in it.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The independent review of Local Council Tax Support Schemes commenced on the 2 December 2015. The chair, Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, put out a public call for evidence which was announced and promoted in our press release of the same date. The public call for evidence ran from the 2 December 2015 to 12 January 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the research by Savills into the opportunities for estate regeneration in London, commissioned by the Number 10 Policy Unit.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
A copy of the report by Savills into the opportunities for estate regeneration in Central London will be made available in the Library of the House once published.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House the submissions to their review of local Council Tax Support, and the data they collected from local authorities to help inform that review.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The Independent Review of Local Council Tax Support schemes will report by 31 March and will reflect the views and data submitted to the Chair. The Department does not currently intend to publish individual submissions to protect the confidentiality of those who submitted evidence.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the research by Savills into the opportunities for estate regeneration, commissioned by the Number 10 Policy Unit, was contracted through an open tendering process.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The research into the opportunities for estate regeneration across London was a result of general discussions with Savills and the Number 10 Policy Unit, which led to an approach by Savills to complete this work. The Number 10 Policy Unit commissioned this work as a single tender.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, a claimant receiving Employment and Support Allowance work-related activity component prior to April 2017 who is reassessed after April 2017 but still found to be entitled to the work-related activity component would have their benefit reduced to the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Lord Freud
The changes as introduced to the House of Commons on 9th July 2015 would mean that existing claimants, whether in the work-related activity group or the support group, who undergo a work capability assessment after April 2017 and are placed in, or remain in, the work-related activity group, will continue to receive the work-related activity component.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of the £150 million funding made available for the regeneration of local authority housing estates has been made available to each of the successful schemes.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Shortlisted schemes are currently undergoing due diligence. Subject to this, we expect contracts to be signed in this financial year and the full £150 million to be committed. The final amount for each scheme is yet to be confirmed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, a claimant receiving Employment and Support Allowance support component prior to April 2017 who is reassessed after April 2017 and moved to the work-related activity group would have their benefit reduced to the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Lord Freud
The changes as introduced to the House of Commons on 9th July 2015 would mean that existing claimants, whether in the work-related activity group or the support group, who undergo a work capability assessment after April 2017 and are placed in, or remain in, the work-related activity group, will continue to receive the work-related activity component.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2015-11-26.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken in response to the Homes and Communities Agency’s decision to downgrade Circle Housing Group’s governance rating from G1 to G3 following its failure to manage properly its Repair and Maintenance Contract with the Kier Group.
Baroness Williams of Trafford
The Social Housing Regulator has a clear regulatory framework which it used in this case. As is normal practice the Social Housing Regulator is working closely with Circle as it continues to recover its repair service and improves its governance. The Regulator currently has sufficient assurance of Circle’s intention to address the issues and its progress in doing so, such that the Regulator considers it does not need to apply enforcement powers at this point. The Regulator will of course continue to examine new information that comes to light.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness King of Bow on 2016-02-11.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under the provisions of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill, a claimant receiving Employment and Support Allowance prior to April 2017 who had to re-apply after April 2017 due to a change in their condition would have their benefit reduced to the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance if they were found to be entitled to the work-related activity component.
Lord Freud
The changes as introduced to the House of Commons on 9th July 2015 would mean that existing claimants, whether in the work-related activity group or the support group, who undergo a work capability assessment after April 2017 and are placed in, or remain in, the work-related activity group, will continue to receive the work-related activity component.