Tag: Toby Perkins

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-03-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the additional cost to small businesses of abolishing the percentage threshold scheme for recovering statutory sick pay.

Mike Penning

The Department for Work and Pensions has published an impact assessment outlining the abolition of the Percentage Threshold Scheme (PTS) and introduction of the new provision of health assessments and occupational health advice available at the following link:

<http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2014/9780111108468/impacts>

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-03-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on alternative models of compensating small businesses for sickness absence after the abolition of the percentage threshold scheme for recovering statutory sick pay.

Mike Penning

The Government believes that reinvesting savings from the abolition of the Percentage Threshold Scheme to establish the Health and Work Service is the most effective means of targeting public funds to tackle sickness absence. The Health and Work Service will reduce the length of sickness absence and offers a more proactive approach to sickness absence management. Small businesses are least likely to have access to occupational health services, and will benefit from having access to occupational health assessments and advice through the Health and Work Service.

We have considered an alternative approach along the lines of restricting access to a reimbursement scheme to employers with fewer than five employees. However, this was discounted because it resulted in additional burdens on employers and additional Statutory Sick Pay reimbursement costs for the state.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-03-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on the ability of small businesses to manage sickness absence of abolishing the Percentage Threshold Scheme for recovering statutory sick pay.

Mike Penning

The SSP Percentage Threshold Scheme compensates employers with high levels of sickness absence but an independent review of sickness absence[1] found it does nothing to tackle the causes of absence. As a result, the Government accepted a recommendation in the Review to abolish the Percentage Threshold Scheme. The Government also accepted a recommendation to establish a Service (now known as the Health and Work Service) to offer specialist occupational health assessment and advice to employers, employees and GPs. The Service is designed to reduce the costs of sickness absence for employers by addressing the obstacles preventing a return to work, and supporting employees back to work as quickly as appropriate. It will be funded from the savings made from the abolition of the PTS and will provide a more proactive way to manage sickness absence.

Small businesses are least likely to have access to occupational health services, and will benefit from having access to occupational health assessments and advice through the HWS.

[1] Black, C. and Frost, D (2011) Health at work – and independent review of sickness absence.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-03-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on the ability of older and disabled workers to find work as a result of the abolition of the Percentage Threshold Scheme for recovering statutory sick pay.

Mike Penning

The Statutory Sick Pay Percentage Threshold Scheme is not linked to finding work, rather it compensates employers with high levels of sickness absence. An independent review of sickness absence[1] found that this scheme does nothing to tackle the causes of absence. As a result, the Government accepted a recommendation in the review to abolish the Percentage Threshold Scheme. The Government also accepted a recommendation to establish a Service (now known as the Health and Work Service) to offer specialist occupational health assessment and advice to employers, employees and GPs. The Service is designed to reduce the costs of sickness absence for employers by addressing the issues preventing a return to work, and supporting employees back to work as quickly as appropriate.

We consider that the creation of the Health and Work Service, funded by the abolition of the Percentage Threshold Scheme, will enable sickness absence to be better managed and improve the employment prospects of all employees, including older and disabled workers.

[1] Black, C. and Frost, D (2011) Health at work – and independent review of sickness absen

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ensure that anonymous military graves at Padstow Cemetery are updated in situations where the identity of the former soldier has been discovered.

Anna Soubry

A claim as to the identity of an individual buried in Padstow Cemetery in a grave bearing a headstone with the inscription “A Royal Marine of the Great War”, is currently awaiting review by officials in the Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre. If the claim is supported by clear and convincing evidence they will task the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to replace the headstone with a new memorial bearing the individual’s name.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish a summary of the responses to the consultation on strengthening the regulatory regime and fee structure for insolvency practitioners which closed on 28 March 2014.

Jenny Willott

We plan to publish the responses received (unless they may be deemed confidential within the Freedom of Information Act’s Code of Practice for authorities) alongside the Government’s response to the views received.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) conveyancers and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises of a change in the Land Registry’s trading status to a Government Owned Company and implementation of the Land Registry plans for e-Mandation and self-service.

Michael Fallon

The proposals in the consultation on the introduction of a Land Registry service delivery company are being considered against the option of remaining as is, and no decisions will be taken until all responses have been considered. As part of considering the consultation responses Government will be considering potential effects on interested parties (including conveyancers and small and medium-sized enterprises.)

The way in which some Land Registry services are delivered will likely change as a result of the implementation of the Business Strategy. Land Registry will engage with customers as and when it introduces new services.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he intends to respond to the consultation on the introduction of a Land Registry service delivery company.

Michael Fallon

We are aiming to publish the Government response within 12 weeks of the consultation closing, in line with the consultation principles.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether trade unions will be consulted before a final decision on the future status of the Land Registry is made.

Michael Fallon

The Government consultation on the introduction of a Land Registry service delivery company was sent to trade unions. Their responses, together with all other responses, will be considered as part of the decision making process.

Land Registry management will engage with their trade unions on changes that may affect staff as a result of the consultation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Toby Perkins on 2014-04-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many responses he has received to the consultation on the introduction of a Land Registry service delivery company; and how many of those were in favour of the proposals.

Michael Fallon

We are currently considering all consultation responses. The Government response to the consultation will set out the main issues raised by respondents and how the Government intends to address these issues.