'THINK' January 2024 Edition

The Advice NI Policy & Information team is delighted to publish the January 2023 edition of our policy eNewsletter ‘THINK’.

Issue in Focus - Autumn Statement

Chancellor Resists Temptation To Cut Benefits But Offers Little Extra Support For Low Income Households

On 22 November the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, made his mid-year statement to the House of Commons, finally revealing the government’s intentions with respect to tax, benefits and public spending.

On benefits, the Chancellor defied briefings from members of his own party and expectations of the press by announcing that welfare benefits would be uprated by September 2023 CPI inflation of 6.7%. In addition, by maintaining the Triple Lock on pensions, the Chancellor confirmed that the basic State Pension, new State Pension and Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee will all increase for 2024-25 in line with average earnings growth of 8.5%. There was also good news for those in receipt of Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Housing Costs Element with the news that the government will raise Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents in April 2024.

Despite these positives, the Chancellor renewed the government’s commitment to worrying reforms to the Work Capability Assessment and access to benefits for people with health conditions, while also strengthening the language around sanctions for those who fail to find work. In addition, there were no new announcements on cost of living or energy bills support, which means that the latest top-up to the Winter Fuel Allowance and the final low-income Cost of Living payment due in February (see below) will be the last direct support provided in respect to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

By contrast, taxation was a major focus for the Chancellor in his statement, albeit not in the manner predicted by commentators. Rather than reducing income or inheritance tax, the Chancellor announced major changes to National Insurance. For employed earners, Class 1 NI contributions will be cut from 12% to 10% from 6 January 2024, while the self-employed will see Class 2 contributions abolished entirely and the Class 4 rate reduce from 9% to 8% from 6 April 2024. Assurances were also given that the abolition of the Class 2 contributions will not prevent people from accruing entitlement to contributory benefits, including the State Pension.

Chancellor backs business and rewards workers to get Britain growing
Autumn Statement 2023
Autumn Statement 2023: National Insurance and more key announcements by Jeremy Hunt

Treasury Amends Date For Proposed Change to Minimum Income Floor Rules

The government has corrected information on the Autumn Statement that announced an increase to the Universal Credit Minimum Income Floor (MIF) for self-employed lead carers of children aged 3-12. The original statement said that the MIF would be increased by up to a maximum of £1,250 a month for lead carers of children aged 3-12 from April 2024, but the Correction Slip changes the date to January 2024.

The government considers that this supports changes to work-related activity requirements for employed lead carers, which were announced at the Spring Budget 2023.

It is to be presumed that an associated amendment to the Universal Credit regulations will be required, which has not yet been made. It is also unclear whether these changes apply to Northern Ireland, as the Chancellor’s statements in both the Spring and Autumn only specified Great Britain. The Advice NI Policy & Information is looking into this issue and engaging with the Department for Communities, and will share further guidance as it becomes available.

Correction slip: Autumn Statement 2023

National Insurance Changes Receive Legislative Backing

To facilitate the Chancellor’s changes to National Insurance rates, the National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2018.

The Bill implements three changes to National Insurance contributions (NICs) which were announced in the Autumn Statement:

a cut in the main rate of NICs paid by employees (‘primary Class 1 NICs’) from 12% to 10%. This rate cut would apply from 6 January 2024
a cut in the main rate of NICs paid by the self-employed (‘Class 4 NICs’) from 9% to 8%. This rate cut would apply from 6 April 2024.
cancelling the requirement of the self-employed to pay the flat rate NICs charge (‘Class 2 NICs’), which applies when someone’s annual profit exceeds a set threshold (the ‘lower profits threshold’). This threshold is currently £12,570. This change would take effect from 6 April 2024.

These measures apply to the whole of the UK.

National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill 2023-24 (House of Commons Library Research Briefing)
National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Act 2023

Benefit And Pension Rates For 2024-5

In response to the Autumn Statement, the Department for Work and Pensions has published its proposed rates for the 2024-5 financial year. These reflect the increase of the basic and new state pensions by 8.5% in line with the triple lock and an increase of 6.7% to other social security benefits and pensions.

Based on these proposals, from 1 April 2024 the full rate of the New State Pension will increase from £203.85 to £221.20 per week, with the basic Category A or B rate of the Old State Pension increasing from £156.20 to £169.50 per week.

At the same time, the Standard Allowance for single claimants aged 25 or over on Universal Credit will increase from £368.74 to £393.45 per month, with the rate for joint claimants where at least one is aged 25 or over rising from £578.82 to £617.60.

It is important to note that, whilst this is largely a formality, corresponding provision will need to be made by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.

Proposed benefit and pension rates 2024 to 2025

HMRC have also updated their information to provide proposed rates for 2024-5 for Child Benefit and Tax Credits.

Tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance — rates and allowances

Resolution Foundation Underwhelmed By ‘Pre-Election Giveaways’

In its overnight analysis of the Chancellor’s Statement, the Resolution Foundation concluded that despite the changes announced ‘the Autumn Statement failed to end a wider economic stagnation that, for the first time, will see households poorer at the end of the parliament than they were at the start’.

In particular, the Resolution Foundation highlighted the fact that top earners will gain far more from the latest measures than the lowest income households. Their analysis also emphasised the longer-term picture, with those giveaways for the well off balanced against measures for the less well off from previous budgets. Similarly, analysis found that the positive economic forecast given by the Chancellor fails to take account of the impact of inflation on public spending.

Chancellor goes for broke on pre-election giveaways, but households are broke as they get £1,900 poorer over the parliament

Trussel Trust Calls For Longer-Term Solutions

In its response to the Autumn Statement, food bank charity the Trussel Trust welcomed the decision to uprate benefits in line with inflation, and particularly the decision to increase the Local Housing Allowance, but called on the government to do more to address long-term problems in the welfare system.

The Trust is encouraging the government to take up its proposal for an Essentials Guarantee, ‘so decisions on uprating are based on evidence that reflects the realities of people’s lives, rather than having an annual debate shaped by the politics of the day.’

Our response to the Autumn Statement

Highlighting The Human Cost Of The Local Housing Allowance Freeze

Ahead of the Autumn Statement, Housing Rights called attention to the ‘particularly devastating year’ experienced by tenants in the private rented sector during 2023. The charity argued that ‘a clear picture emerges of people being driven into poverty, into destitution and into homelessness’ by rising rents and costs, and called on the government to apply the ‘necessary short-term fix’ of increasing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

To demonstrate the role played by rent shortfalls, Housing Rights quoted statistics showing that, in Northern Ireland in March 2023, 59,340 households were in receipt of LHA through their housing support. 82% (48,890) had a shortfall between their benefit and their rent. The average shortfall was £103 per month.

The human cost of the Local Housing Allowance freeze

Social Policy News

Utility Regulator Relaunches Consumer Energy Charter

A renewed voluntary charter, which will be in effect from 1 November 2023 to 31 March 2024, has been developed in partnership with gas and electricity supply companies, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities and the Department for the Economy.

In signing up to the Consumer Energy Charter, the electricity and gas suppliers have committed to:

Contributing to an external hardship fund for households struggling with their bills.
Guaranteeing that none of their domestic customers will be moved onto a pre-payment meter during December 2023 or January 2024, unless the customer requests it.
Completing an updated review of ability to pay for all customers on the maximum debt repayment amount of 40% and offering to move them to a 20% repayment rate.
Ensuring that debt repayment amounts are not set above 20% for customers who are new to debt repayment plans, unless the customer requests it.
Ensuring customers on care registers will not be moved onto a pre-payment meter, unless the consumer requests it and have proactively been made aware of the advantages and disadvantages of this choice.
Checking in with consumers who have been moved on to a pre-payment meter to recover debt one month after installation.
Continuing to assess ability to pay for all credit customers in debt, and if this identifies any issues, look to reducing repayment rates and/or extending debt repayment timeframes.
Making sure that customers on their care registers are aware of the tariff most suitable for their needs.
During their interactions with consumers in payment difficulties, provide practical advice to consumers on energy efficiency measures that could help customers reduce their energy bills.

Consumer Energy Charter - Enhanced protections for domestic energy consumers launched

Change To Identity Verification Process For Asylum Seekers

Following engagement from Law Centre NI, the Department for Communities (DfC) has put in place new procedures for the verification of the identity of asylum seekers subject to the Move On process for Newly Granted Refugees.

Under new Home Office guidance the notification period has been cut from 28 to 7 days, leaving those affected with much less time to establish relevant support following the termination of their asylum provision. In some cases, Newly Granted Refugees are having to make claims for benefit without relevant ID documentation, as passports are still held by the Home Office and their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) has not arrived.

In response, DfC have agreed that, from 24 November 2023, Universal Credit will accept the following documents to verify the identity of asylum seekers who have just been granted leave to remain but have yet to receive their BRP:

the Asylum Registration Card (ARC), received when a claim for asylum is made, and
the Home Office Decision Asylum Grant Letter confirming leave to remain.

Claimants must provide both documents to verify identity.

Advisers supporting clients who are encountering difficulties with this process, or with clients who have previously been denied access to UC as a result of this issue, should escalate the matter with the Department using the existing Trusted Partner channels. You can also contact the Advice NI Policy & Information team or the Law Centre NI Social Security team for assistance.

Newly granted refugees: updated evidence requirements for UC

However, it has since emerged that the Home Office has quietly changed its policy on notice again and is now giving refugees 28 days from the date they receive their BRP.

Despite this change, 28 days still leaves refugees with a short turnaround to establish themselves relative to the general public. Given the 5-week wait for payment of Universal Credit, it is essential that those that need to do so are able to make their claim as early as possible.

Home Office reverses policy on 7-day evictions after surge in refugee homelessness
Home Office U-turns and makes ‘admission of wrongdoing’ on plan to cut asylum backlog

Scale Of Poverty In The UK Serious Cause For Concern

The UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier De Schutter, sharply criticised the UK government for failing to improve poverty levels during a visit in November, which included a lecture for the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.

Mr De Schutter suggested that the UK government was violating international law, and highlighted the lack of progress following his predecessor Philip Alston’s 2018 report. “The warning signals that Philip Alston gave five years ago were not acted upon,” said De Schutter. “There’s a huge gap, which is increasingly troubling, between the kinds of indicators the government chooses to assess its progress on one hand, and the lived experience of people living in poverty.”

UK ‘in violation of international law’ over poverty levels, says UN envoy
UN rapporteur on extreme poverty: ‘UK policies continue to inflict misery’

Huge Increase In Food Bank Usage Across The UK

At the same time as the Special Rapporteur’s visit, the Trussel Trust published its latest mid-year figures showing that 1.5 million emergency food parcels were provided to people between April and September 2023 by food banks in the charity’s UK-wide network. This is the most parcels that the network has ever distributed at this point in the year and represents a 16% increase from the same period in 2022.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive at the Trussell Trust, urged the Government to ‘build on its work to protect people from increasingly severe hardship and commit to putting an Essentials Guarantee into legislation, to embed in our social security system the widely supported principle that, at a minimum, Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials.’

1.5 million food parcels distributed as need continues to soar

Food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Northern Ireland distributed over 39,000 (39,344) emergency food parcels between 1 April to 30 September 2023. This is the most parcels that the network in Northern Ireland has ever distributed at this point in the year and represents a 23% increase from the same period in 2022. You can access the detailed report for Northern Ireland at the link below:

Mid Year Stats

Latest Statistics On Digital Skills Released

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has revealed the latest statistics on digital skills drawn from the Continuous Household Survey. This latest release reveals the following headlines:

Almost one in five people (18%) had no digital skills (276,000 people).
Almost half (47%) of those aged 65 and over had no digital skills.
Over a third (34%) of those who were economically inactive had no digital skills.
Only 34% of those in the most deprived areas in NI reported above basic digital skills.
Over half (55%) of respondents with no qualifications reported having no digital skills, compared to 5.9% of those with at least degree level qualifications.
The proportion of people with no disabilities reporting above basic digital skills was 14 percentage points higher than those with disabilities.

Digital Skills in Northern Ireland 2022/23

Government’s Disability Policy In Disarray

Several disability charities have sharply criticised the government’s approach to disabled people following its botched replacement of outgoing minister Tom Pursglove, who moved to the post of Minister for Legal Migration following the resignation of Robert Jenrick as immigration minister in early December.

Mr Pursglove’s previous role was initially left vacant by the Department, which drew widespread criticism, before Downing Street hastily announced that Mims Davies would take on the role. However, it has emerged that the post has been downgraded to the more junior role of Under Secretary of State, with Davies also retaining her existing responsibilities for social mobility.

In a letter to the Prime Minister in relation to the initial decision not to fill the post, Kamran Mallick CEO of DR UK, wrote:

"Removing the dedicated position of a Minister for Disabled people tells us that our needs aren’t a priority for UK Government. De-prioritising our needs and lives is not your policy choice to make. Domestic and international legislation make clear the Government’s legal responsibilities to uphold and protect Disabled people’s lives – yet 14 years after signing the UNCRPD, UK Government continue to violate its obligations."

Job of minister for disabled people downgraded
Government U-Turn on Disability Minister
Disability Benefits Consortium comment on the Government scrapping the Minister for Disabled People
Scope: Our message to the Prime Minister

In addition, the Women and Equalities Committee has warned the government that its National Disability Strategy is not currently fit for purpose. The Committee’s first of three reports on the Strategy concluded that instead of establishing a long-term vision to ‘transform the everyday lives of disabled people’ the Government produced a “disability strategy in name only”, with disabled people and their representative organisations having “little to no influence”.

Caroline Nokes, the Conservative Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, said:

“It is clear disabled people want more influence over the strategies, action plans, and policies affecting them.

“Ministers need to work much more proactively with disabled groups and develop the National Disability Strategy beyond short-term actions that were already in progress.

“To support this approach, it should collaborate with disabled people to develop a ten-year strategy with an action plan for the first five years outlining clear targets and timescales for delivery.”

Targeted ten-year plan needed for National Disability Strategy, WEC warns ministers

Legislative Changes

Access To Benefits And Housing For Persons Arriving From Israel, The Occupied Palestinian Territories, Or Lebanon

The Social Security (Habitual Residence and Past Presence, and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023, which came into force on 28th October 2023, ensure that residence tests for benefit entitlement are met and certain capital is disregarded from day one or shortly after arrival for certain persons arriving from Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, or Lebanon in connection with the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on 7th October 2023 and the violence in the region following the attack.

The regulations exempt the listed persons from both the factual part of the Habitual Residence Test for the income-related benefits and the Past Presence Test, in addition to the factual part of the Habitual Residence Test, for disability and carers benefits. They also add the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation scheme to the list of compensation schemes and funds from which payments are disregarded as capital when calculating entitlement to income-related benefits. Claimants will still be required to meet all other conditions of entitlement to the relevant benefits.

Social Security (Habitual Residence and Past Presence, and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023
ADM Memo 14/23

Similarly, the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 exempts British nationals and others not subject to immigration control from the habitual residence test that they would otherwise be required to satisfy to be eligible for an allocation of housing and homelessness assistance if they were residing in Israel, or the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights (referred to below as the Occupied Palestinian Territories) or Lebanon immediately before 7th October 2023, who left Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights or Lebanon in connection with the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on 7th October 2023 or the violence which rapidly escalated in the region following the attack.

Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023

Transitional SDP Element Amended In Response To High Court Ruling

An amendment to the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014 in Great Britain has introduced additional monthly amounts of the transitional SDP element for those who were entitled to other disability premiums or elements in their legacy benefits at the point of migration to Universal Credit. The legislation will come into effect from 14 February 2024.

The changes will only apply to those UC claimants who are already entitled to the transitional SDP element or amount, where they were also entitled to either an enhanced disability premium, a disability premium, or a disabled child premium or disabled child element.

As the associated Explanatory Memorandum makes clear, the amendment is made in direct response to the ruling of the High Court in R (on the application of) TP and AR (TP and AR No.3) [2022] EWHC 123 (Admin), which found that failure to provide equivalent compensation for the loss of the Enhanced Disability Premium and the Disabled Child Premium and Element was unlawful discrimination.

Officials in the Department for Communities have confirmed that equivalent legislation is being drafted for Northern Ireland, also to come into force from 14 February 2024.

Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
Increases in the transitional severe disability element in universal credit for those who were entitled to other disability premiums prior to migrating (paywall)

Amendment Restates Annual Leave Rights For Workers

As a consequence of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023, the Department for the Economy has judged it appropriate to restate certain principles in the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 relating to annual leave which derive from EU law.

The Working Time (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 amend regulation 15, 16 and 20 of the 2016 Regulations to include express provision about the rights of workers, in certain circumstances, to carry forward annual leave into subsequent leave years, and the calculation of holiday pay in relation to annual leave which is carried forward.

These changes apply from 1 January 2024.

Working Time (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023

Information Resources

Improved Messaging On Access To Health Costs For UC Claimants

In response to increased concern about access to support, the Department for Communities (DfC) is highlighting the support available to Universal Credit (UC) claimants in relation to health care costs such as dental and eye care treatment.

Automatic passporting to health care costs is currently only extended to those claiming Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance, as well as Tax Credits claimants with income below specific thresholds.

UC claimants, on the other hand, must submit form HC1 to determine if they are eligible for health care costs. Eligible customers are then issued with a full or partial exemption certificate which is valid for 12 months.

To maximise uptake of the help for health care costs available to UC customers DfC have announced the following communication activity:

Update to the nidirect website to make claimants aware that they should complete and submit an HC1 form to determine if they are eligible for health care costs.
Amendment to the journal message welcoming Universal Credit claimants to the service to explain the process for claiming health care costs.
Issued a separate journal message to all existing claimants highlighting the health care costs claim process.
Notifications will be sent to all phone claimants outlining the health care costs claim process.

In addition, the Department:

made a request to the Department for Work & Pensions to integrate the health care costs process as part of our benefit processing system;
issued internal communications and guidance to ensure all staff highlight the process to customers, providing support where required;
plans to issue social media messaging across DfC Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook accounts.

The Department is also engaging with the Department of Health on enhancing the visibility of the HC1 message in healthcare settings.

We expect to see an increase in enquiries from clients in relation to this activity and would encourage advisers to get in touch with the Advice NI Policy & Information team with any issues as they arise. As DfC note, Department of Health legislation is required to enable automatic passporting for UC claimants, so this remains an important focus for social policy change.

Public information on help for health care costs for UC claimants can be accessed on the nidirect page ‘Help with health costs’.

House Of Commons Library Research Briefings

Reports

Financial Stability Report From The Bank Of England Emphasises Ongoing Challenges For UK Economy

The Financial Stability Report sets out our Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee's view on the stability of the UK financial system and what it is doing to remove or reduce any risks to it.

This latest report emphasises the difficulties faced by both households and businesses in managing their debts, although higher than expected increases in household income have allowed households to reduce the overall debt burden. Nevertheless, household finances remain stretched by increased living costs and higher interest rates, some of which has yet to be reflected in higher mortgage repayments. Arrears for secured and unsecured credit remain low but are rising as the impact of higher repayments is felt by borrowers.

Financial Stability Report - December 2023

Housing Rights Research Reveals Mortgage Holders Struggling

The combined impact of the cost of living crisis and 14 consecutive interest rate rises is taking its toll on mortgage holders, as recent research from Housing Rights demonstrates. The report, which is based on interviews conducted between May and June 2023, shows that an increasing number of households are struggling to make their mortgage payments.

A high proportion of households told Housing Rights that their current mortgage payments were unaffordable, including 31% of those on interest-only mortgages and 34% of those on variable rates. Likewise, over a quarter (26%) of low-income households reported struggling to pay their mortgage in the past year, while half (50%) of households with someone with a disability have had to borrow money in the past year to make ends meet.

Natalie Whelehan, Head of Policy and Development at Housing Rights said:

‘This important research paints a picture of serious difficulties for an increasing number of households in Northern Ireland. In recent months, we have seen a disturbing increase in the number of repossession hearings in Northern Ireland. The research shows that vulnerable groups are being hardest hit. We urgently need a functioning Executive and a plan of action to be put in place to support and assist vulnerable mortgage holders as soon as possible.

‘Assistance should include ensuring access to justice, including advice and court representation for those subject to repossession hearings, which will require making additional resources available, the exploration of a fit for purpose mortgage rescue scheme for Northern Ireland, the reinstatement of Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) as a non-repayable grant that can be accessed after 13 weeks and the adoption of an end to end, ‘person-first’ approach by lenders and their agents to support customers and meet their needs.’

New research pinpoints mortgage holders struggling due to high interest rates and the cost of living crisis

Figures For Northern Ireland’s Retail Energy Market Published

Latest data from the Utility Regulator’s Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring (QREMM) Report provide an insight into market behaviours and regulatory compliance. Highlights from the report include and increase in switching activity within the electricity market.

Price data shows that the average domestic price from January to June 2023 was 27.8 p/kWh, which was higher than the EU (23.3p/kWh) and Ireland (21.7 p/kWh) but significantly lower than the UK (37.7 p/kWh). Domestic gas prices in NI were among the lowest in Europe at 9.8 p/kWh. This was less than the EU median (11.6 p/kWh), UK (13.7 p/kWh) and Ireland (12.8 p/kWh).

Latest Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring report on Northern Ireland’s retail energy market published

Review Of Official Poverty Figures Reveals Impact On Children

Action for Children, working with the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), has analysed UK government data on children growing up in material deprivation. The charity found that, in 2021/22, there were 2.6 million children in the UK growing up in material deprivation, 1.5 million children in material deprivation are also in families with an income below the official poverty line, and that over half of the children growing up materially deprived are under 10.

Of the four nations, Northern Ireland was found to have the lowest levels of material deprivation, with 12% of children falling into this category, compared to 14% in Scotland and 19% in Wales.

Going without: Almost one in five children growing up deprived of the basics

Consultations

Voluntary And Community Sector Infrastructure Support

As part of its wide-ranging review of the voluntary and community sector (VCS), the Department for Communities has launched a consultation on its draft proposals on infrastructure support to the sector.

The Department is seeking views on these draft proposals through an online questionnaire. Those responding on behalf of an organisation are asked that only one person from each organisation submits a response.

The opening questions in the questionnaire relate to the renewal of a ‘concordat’ agreement between Government and the Voluntary and Community sector through The Joint Forum. The remainder of the questions relate directly to the draft proposals for continued government investment in sector infrastructure.

The closing date for responses is 9 February 2024 at 5pm. Email vcsinfrastructure@communities-ni.gov.uk with any queries.

Consultation on Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Support

Utility Regulator Seeks Views On Draft Price Controls

Regulatory is seeking responses to its Draft Determination on price controls for NIE Networks. These price controls determine the supplier tariffs charged by NIE Networks, and by extension the cost of electricity to consumers. The Draft Determination also impacts infrastructure investment and action towards Net Zero.

The consultation will be open for responses until 22 March 2024.

RP7 Price Control Draft Determination published for consultation

Call For Input On Non-Domestic Energy Market

The Utility Regulator is seeking views from stakeholders in relation to its Review of the Regulation of the Non-Domestic Energy Retail Market, which seeks ‘to identify and remedy gaps in the existing non-domestic regulatory framework to ensure fair engagement and outcomes in the retail energy market for business consumers.’

Reponses should be submitted by 4pm on Monday 29 January 2024. Electronic responses are preferable and can be sent to nadine.mercer@uregni.gov.uk

Review of the Regulation of the Non-Domestic Energy Retail Market – Call for Input

Draft Victims And Survivors Strategy

The Executive Office has launched a consultation into its new draft Strategy for Victims and Survivors.

The Victims and Survivors Strategy has been developed around the 3 strategic pillars of Past, Needs and Future, which remain unchanged from the previous strategy. The new strategy aims to ensure the right trauma-informed and victim-centred services are in place to empower and support victims and survivors and contribute to building a shared and peaceful future. It will also set out the specific issues affecting victims and survivors which require particular focus.

The consultation takes the form of an online survey which should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. All responses will remain anonymous and will not be identifiable within the consultation.

The closing date and time for responses is 13th March 2024.

Launch of public consultation on the new Strategy for Victims and Survivors

Legislative Framework For Anti-Social Behaviour

The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department for Communities (DfC) have launched a joint consultation on potential amendments to the legislative framework aimed at ensuring the relevant authorities have effective and proportionate powers in place to deal with anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The public consultation will consider the following areas:

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) (DoJ);
Drinking in Public (DoJ & DfC, Social Policy Unit);
Injunctions Against Anti-Social Behaviour (DfC, Housing); and
Absolute Grounds for Possession in social housing (DfC, Housing).

The consultation will close on 4 March 2024.

Launch of an anti-social behaviour consultation

Funding Opportunities

2024/25 Central Good Relations Fund

Applications can now be made to the 2024/25 Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF). The CGRF, which is funded by The Executive Office, supports constituted voluntary and community sector groups to deliver good relations projects which contribute to the key priorities of the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy.

Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations and T:BUC, has advised that applications are particularly welcome for good relations projects that include a focus on:

Developing the capacity within and across communities to build good relations
Involving the hardest to reach participants – i.e. those from areas of need who have not previously participated in good relations projects
Delivering against the T:BUC Key Priority – Our Safe Community
Environmental activities and benefits
Social Action activities

In addition, applications from the Mid Ulster District Council and Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon District Council areas are particularly encouraged.

The closing date for applications is Monday 22 January 2024 at 4pm.

The Executive Office opens call for applications to the 2024/25 Central Good Relations Fund

Building Financial Capability Skills For Those With Long-term Challenges

The MSE Charity gives grants to UK not-for-profit organisations that deliver activities which make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money. The organisation’s next grant round, Living with Long Term Challenges, will open to applications on Monday 15th January 2024. The focus of this grant round is organisations which support people with learning difficulties, disabilities, caring responsibilities, or mental illness, among other circumstances.

Applicants must be either a UK registered charity, community interest company, credit union or a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee or social enterprise company. Project activity costs must relate to future service delivery that is pro-active in delivering financial life skills, money management education and/or debt avoidance, and for that reason the MSE Charity does not usually fund debt or welfare advice services. Applications most likely to be successful are those seeking funding for a specific activity cost rather than a general contribution to running costs or a much larger project.

The MSE Charity: Latest News

Small Third-Sector Grants From Better Community Business Network

Launched in September 2014, BCBN’s Grant Initiative aims to provide small third-sector grant awards to empower charities and local community projects. This initiative will distribute a one-off grant award of up to £3,000 per charity or to small but credible community projects, which are able to demonstrate their positive impact on the communities they aim to serve.

Any projects supported must be UK based, address a community issue or support a local community initiative, and provide benefits to the local community.

Applications open on 8 January 2024 with a submission deadline of 18 February 2024.

The Better Community Business Network is a registered charity set up by a group of business people and professionals that have come together to support local community projects that make a real difference to the communities they serve.

BCBN Grant Initiative

Tackling Homelessness Among Young People

LandAid is a grant-making trust assisting charities and non-profit organisations to support some of society’s most vulnerable people. Its principle focus is to create 1,000 bedspaces for young people who are homeless, or who have experienced homelessness, by April 2024. To achieve this LandAid is running two programmes offering support to organisations.

Routes Out of Homelessness Grant

LandAid offer three core grant programmes in this area, each linked to the provision of a different type of bedspace: Emergency, Supported, and Independent:

Safe Places Programme: To create new/additional hosting bedspaces, generally bedspaces in the homes of individuals or families who may be volunteers or paid. These bedspaces would generally be used for emergency housing, or as a form of supported housing.
Capital Grants Programme: To create bedspaces in properties owned by, or on a long-term lease to charitable organisations. These bedspaces could be used for emergency, supported or move-on accommodation. 
Move-on Grants Programme: To unlock bedspaces in the private, or social, rental sector. These bedspaces will be for move-on accommodation. These grants would be for charities working with young people who are ready and wanting to move forward into independent living, but face barriers in accessing rental accommodation.

They welcome applications from all charitable organisations with a project that meets our criteria, but are particularly interested in hearing about projects that will create bedspaces:

Based in the North-East, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
For groups of young people who may be disproportionately at risk of homelessness. This would include young people of colour, young refugees and young people identifying as LGBTQ+
Which would be transformational for the charity and/or local area

LandAid Pro Bono Programme

LandAid also help a wide range of charities to find free, high-quality professional skills, services, and advice from its corporate pro bono partners. Their free support brokering service matches free professional skills, services, advice and materials to requests from a wide range of charities working with disadvantaged people, families and communities. Previous recipients range from addiction/recovery organisations to homelessness charities, and from community hubs to employability champions.

For further information about LandAid’s free support brokering service, or to discuss a potential request for assistance, please email Rebecca Frost, Pro Bono Programme Officer on rebecca.frost@landaid.org or Gareth Pettit, Programmes & Impact Manager: gareth.pettit@landaid.org.

Improving Skills For Work

Ufi VocTech Trust has a mission to get adults learning using the power of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all. Its VocTech Activate grant fund is currently open for applications until 31 January 2024.

Ufi provides grants of between £30,000 and £60,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months, with funding to support the development of new ideas that use digital tools and approaches to transform how people gain skills for work. VocTech Activate funding is to support the development of early-stage ideas, small scale testing, proof of concept work and the development of strategies to scale once Ufi funding has ended.

To support applicants, Ufi run a series of workshops to introduce the fund. These workshops provide an opportunity to find out more about the scope of the grant call, with members of the Ufi team available to answer questions about the application process.

VocTech Activate grant fund

Parliamentary Questions

Artificial Intelligence

UIN 133, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Adam Afriyie, Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI on the functioning of the welfare system.

Answered on 15 November 2023 by Paul Maynard, Conservative
DWP is continually exploring the use of all types of Artificial Intelligence and its potential to support the provision of more digital services with a human touch in a safe, ethical, and considered way. Artificial Intelligence will never replace the role of our colleagues in supporting customers throughout their journey.

We are using Artificial Intelligence to undertake administrative or repetitive tasks, freeing up our colleagues to spend more time with claimants.

As part of our approach, and in-line with the Prime Minister’s Foundation Model Taskforce, DWP has created a Generative Artificial Intelligence Lighthouse Programme which will safely guide our innovation in emerging Artificial Intelligence technology. The role of this programme is to ‘test and learn’ in a safe and governed environment where all types of AI can be used to assist us in the delivery of our customer outcomes and department efficiencies. Following this test and learn approach will help us to build more certainty on the potential benefits that can be realised.

Where Artificial Intelligence is used to assist its activities in prevention and detection of fraud within UC applications, DWP always ensures appropriate safeguards are in place for the proportionate, ethical, and legal use of data with internal monitoring protocols adhered to. Through the work of departmental governance, we can always explain how the AI reaches conclusions using data.

DWP does not use AI to replace human judgement in determining or denying a payment to a claimant. Where appropriate, Equality and Data Protection Impact Assessments have been carried out.

DWP's Personal Information Charter explains how and why we use personal information and citizen’s rights and responsibilities.

Carers

UIN 6259, tabled on 11 December 2023 by Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional financial support to unpaid carers.

Answered on 19 December 2023 by Mims Davies, Conservative
This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society, including pensioners and those with disabilities.

The social security system in Great Britain provides financial support for unpaid carers on low incomes through Universal Credit and the DWP benefits it replaces; through Pension Credit; and through pensioner Housing Benefit. In England and Wales, it also provides non-means-tested support through Carer’s Allowance.

The rate of Carer’s Allowance will increase from £76.75 to £81.90 from April 2024, in line with the increase in the Consumer Prices Index in the year to September 2023. As of May 2023, it was being paid to nearly 830,000 carers in England and Wales. Between 2022/23 and 2027/28, real-terms expenditure on Carer’s Allowance in England and Wales is forecast to rise by around 40% to just over £4.7 billion a year.

Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than to those without caring responsibilities. The Universal Credit carer element is currently £185.86 per monthly assessment period, rising to £198.31 in April 2024. It is payable in addition to the standard allowance and was being paid to around 560,000 carers as of May 2023. The additional amount for carers in Pension Credit is currently £42.75 a week, rising to £45.60 from April 2024. It is paid as an additional amount in the Guarantee Credit and was being paid to around 100,000 carers as of May 2023.

Cohabitation - Pensions

UIN 341, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of accessibility of information on a deceased partner’s pension for unmarried couples where the couple had (a) remained together and (b) recently separated prior to the death of the partner.

Answered on 14 November 2023 by Paul Maynard, Conservative
There has been no recent assessment of the accessibility of information on a deceased partner’s State Pension for unmarried couples, where the couple had either remained together or recently separated prior to the death of the partner.

Private pensions rights to survivor benefits in private occupational pensions are many and varied, and will depend on factors such as scheme rules, and choices made by the scheme member.

General information on survivor benefits for unmarried couples is available from Money Helper and delivered by the Money and Pensions Service: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

UIN 342, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of a bereaved unmarried couple's ability to access a deceased partner’s workplace pension following a separation on grounds of domestic abuse.

Answered on 14 November 2023 by Paul Maynard, Conservative
The Department has recently looked at cohabiting couples’ rights in relation to their deceased partner’s occupational pension more widely, in response to recommendation 5 of the Women and Equalities Select Committee’s Second Report into Cohabiting Couples.

Our assessment was published on pages 5 and 6 of The rights of cohabiting partners: Government response to the Committee’s Second Report on 1st November 2022. A Letter from the Minister for Pensions on the rights of cohabiting partners to the Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, published on 18th July this year outlined my Department’s most recent work in this area.

Cost Of Living Payments - Disability

UIN 2002, tabled on 14 November 2023 by Marsha De Cordova, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Disability Cost of Living Payment.

Answered on 20 November 2023 by Tom Pursglove, Conservative
We continually monitor Cost of Living Payments and have already published Management Information on the number of payments and the amount spent for each type of payment.

An evaluation of the Cost of Living Payments is underway. This will seek to understand their effectiveness as a means of support for low-income and vulnerable households.

Disability - Lone Parents

UIN 7071, tabled on 14 December 2023 by Dr Rupa Huq, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit, published on 25 October 2023, and the proposals announced in the Written Statement of 22 November 2023 on Work Capability Assessment Consultation, HCW64, whether his Department will take steps to support disabled single parents who have been deemed fit to work but are unable to work for 30 hours a week; and whether he has considered the potential merits of introducing accommodations for that group.

Answered on 19 December 2023, by Mims Davies, Conservative
Disabled single parents in the Intensive Work Search conditionality group will continue to have their expected hours set at an appropriate level for their personal circumstances. The measures introduced on 25th October 2023 will ensure that lead carers of children aged 3-12 will be in a much better position to look for and prepare for work, increase their earnings and take full advantage of the increased childcare provision.

Work Coaches tailor the amount of hours any claimant is required to be available for work, search for work and undertake other work-related requirements to reflect the individual’s health condition, disability, caring responsibilities and wider circumstances.

Housing Benefit

UIN 442, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Mike Amesbury, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of housing benefit.

Answered on 15 November 2023 by Mims Davies, Conservative
We are forecast to spend £31 billion in 2023/24 on housing support. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates were boosted by almost £1 billion in 2020, this significant investment has been kept annually to maintain rates at 2020 levels.

The level of LHA rates is reviewed annually by the Secretary of State. LHA rates are not intended to cover all rents in all areas. However, the Department monitors average rents and housing support levels provided to claimants to assess the impact of the policy.

For those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and need further support. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities. Since 2011 the Government has provided nearly £1.7 billion in DHP funding to local authorities.

Jobcentres - Staff

UIN 6552, tabled on 12 December 2023 by Vicky Foxcroft, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average caseload of a Jobcentre work coach was in the most recent period for which data is available.

Answered on 20 December 2023 by Jo Churchill, Conservative
There is no set minimum/maximum or optimum caseload size. The net claims per Case Manager is circa 1,500, this excludes: Claims with no Identity Verification – older than 30 days; Suspended claims; Claims with open ‘additional action close claims’ to-do; Claims with consecutive nil payments; Claims with a Case Manager not based in a Service Centre; Claims without a Case Manager.

The size of a Work Coach caseload will vary as it is dependent on several factors, including the level of customer support required, the needs of the local labour market and the experience and working pattern of each Work Coach. For November, our case loads of Intensive Work Search customers averaged 113 cases per Universal Credit Work Coach.

Motability

UIN 90, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Gregory Campbell, Democratic Unionist Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will provide additional funding to the Motability Scheme over the next three years.

Answered on 13 November 2023 by Tom Pursglove, Conservative
The department does not provide direct funding to Motability. DWP transfers only the mobility part of relevant benefits to Motability for eligible customers choosing to join the scheme. Motability is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the scheme.

Parliamentary Questions - Costs

UIN 211, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Alison McGovern, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department estimates the cost of answering Parliamentary Questions.

Answered on 15 November 2023 by Paul Maynard, Conservative
There is no formal methodology – each Written Parliamentary Question is judged on its own merits, including whether a response can reasonably be provided within the cost limit.

The department follows the guidance produced by the Cabinet Office in the following documents:

Guide to Parliamentary Work
Guidance on drafting answers to Parliamentary Questions

Pensioners - Northern Ireland

UIN 223, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide additional funding to help support pensioners with the cost of living in Northern Ireland.

Answered on 14 November 2023 by Paul Maynard, Conservative
Support for pensioners is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland and the responsibility of the Department for Communities.

However, in the absence of a fully functioning Northern Ireland Assembly, the UK Government has taken decisive action to ensure that the means tested and disability Cost of Living payments are made to households in Northern Ireland on exactly the same terms as the rest of the UK.

Personal Independence Payment

UIN 4480, tabled on 29 November 2023 by Vicky Foxcroft, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to allow Personal Independence Payment applications to be made online.

Answered on 5 December 2023 by Tom Pursglove, Conservative
The Health Transformation Programme (HTP) is modernising health and disability benefit services. We are developing the new service carefully, designing it around the needs of claimants.

We have introduced a digital version of the PIP2 health questionnaire, which is now offered to the majority of those making a claim. This is offered to those who call us to begin their claim.

We have also begun trialling a fully online application for PIP. Since 27 July, people in selected postcode districts may be able to apply for PIP online via GOV.UK if they:

Live in England.
Are claiming for themselves or helping someone with their claim.
Are not already claiming PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or have a previous PIP/DLA claim.

The online service is an additional optional route to apply for PIP and is not replacing the existing methods of telephony or post.

The current testing phase is allowing us to test the functionality and stability of the service; the department intends to scale the service gradually and safely. We aim to make the online applications for PIP available nationally across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the end of 2024.

UIN 6663, tabled on 12 December 2023 by Beth Winter, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the number of complaints received by (a) Capita and (b) other external assessors for Personal Independence Payment applications in each of the last five years.

Answered on 19 December 2023 by Mims Davies, Conservative
The department manages the PIP contracts robustly and has a full set of service level agreements setting out our expectations for service delivery.

It is important for providers to have their own complaints process to deal with dissatisfaction about the service they provide. This process signposts complainants to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) if they are dissatisfied with the provider’s final response to their complaint.

The process is designed to ensure that those complaining about third party provision have access to the same complaint escalation route as those who complain about services provided by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This encourages providers to resolve complaints at the earliest opportunity. It also gives providers the right incentives to offer good customer service and to comply with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Principles of Good Complaint Handling.
In each of the last five calendar years (2019 to date), the total number of cases where Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment providers (APs), Capita and Independent Assessment Services (IAS), received a complaint, are shown in the table below.

	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023 to date
Capita	2800	1390	1380	1380	1580
IAS	6140	2800	2390	1760	1830

Please note:

All volumes have been rounded to the nearest 10.
All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the APs.
The above data is derived from unpublished management information, which is collected for internal departmental use only, and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.

All APs strive to provide an excellent service to claimants and are held to account for their performance. To put the above figures into context, the total number of complaints shown as a percentage of all completed assessments for the same period, are as follows:

	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023 to date
Capita	1.24%	0.74%	0.76%	0.56%	0.57%
IAS	0.87%	0.51%	0.41%	0.24%	0.23%

Please note:
The above percentages have been derived from the unrounded totals.

UIN 6665, tabled on 12 December 2023 by Beth Winter, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the quality of the (a) customer service and (b) assessments provided by (i) Capita and (ii) other external assessors for Personal Independence Payment applications.

Answered on 19 December 2023
Quality is a priority for both the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment providers (APs), Capita and Independent Assessment Services, and the department. There is a comprehensive performance regime which drives APs to meet stringent quality standards. Through robust contract management processes, we continually monitor and work with APs to manage performance and obtain maximum value. If they are unable to meet our expectations, we will work with them to address any issues, whilst seeking any financial compensation as appropriate under the terms of the contract.

Customer satisfaction is one of the service level agreements within the PIP contracts. Each providers’ customer satisfaction survey is undertaken by an independent third party, in line with the requirements of their individual contract. They have consistently exceeded their customer satisfaction target of 90%.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has an independent audit function that continually monitors performance and provides feedback to its providers. DWP works extensively with providers to make improvements to guidance, training and audit procedures to ensure a quality service. Quality performance is regularly reviewed through DWP and provider senior governance meetings at a national level and in each of the provider areas.

Social Security Benefits - Deductions

UIN 147, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Caroline Lucas, Green Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been subject to (a) benefit deductions and (b) sanctions at the same time in each of the last 12 months.

Answered on 15 November 2023 by Jo Churchill, Conservative
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Sanctions are only ever applied if a claimant has failed to undertake their agreed requirements without good reason.

All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant and tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable.

If a claimant currently has a sanction in place, any outstanding deductions cannot be applied until the sanction has concluded.

We have a well-established system of hardship payments, available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs, including accommodation, heating, food and hygiene, as a result of their sanction.

State Retirement Pensions

UIN 6860, tabled on 13 December 2023 by Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing full compensation to people affected by underpayment errors in state pensions.

Answered on 19 December 2023, by Paul Maynard, Conservative
The Government is fully committed to rectifying any historical errors resulting in State Pension underpayments to ensure individuals receive the State Pension they are due in law, with any arrears payments paid as quickly as possible.

The Department for Work and Pensions is currently addressing, through Legal Entitlement and Administrative Practices (LEAP) exercises, two areas where we know there are State Pension underpayment errors. The Department does not routinely make special payments in such exercises.

UIN 6935, tabled on 13 December 2023 by Charlotte Nichols, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to reduce the state pension age to 63 for people with long-term disabilities.

Answered on 19 December 2023 by Paul Maynard, Conservative
The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody is fundamental in the UK. Unlike a personal or workplace pension, which can potentially be drawn earlier, it has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension early, before they reach their State Pension age. We have no current plans to change this principle.

This Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it, including when they near or reach retirement. Support is available through the welfare system to those who are unable to work, are on a low income or have additional costs as a consequence of a long-term health condition or disability but are not eligible to pensioner benefits because of their age.

Universal Credit

UIN 17, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Sir Stephen Timms, Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of working Universal Credit recipients who received an incorrect payment as a result of an incorrect employer's real time information submission to HM Revenue and Customs in the latest month for which data is available.

Answered on 14 November 2023 by Jo Churchill, Conservative
Legislation provides for the use of RTI in the calculation of UC entitlements. That system is working well and providing accurate information but where a claimant thinks the information provided by their employer to HMRC is wrong they are asked to raise a dispute with HMRC for them to investigate. Over the last 12 months 99.8% of RTI returns by employers to support UC claims were found to be correct. For the 0.2% of cases, where employers adjust their returns, we endeavour to correct UC entitlements as soon as possible.

UIN 139, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has issued guidance to Job Centre staff on the fact that a refugee does not need to have received their Biometric Residence Permit before making a claim for Universal Credit.

Answered on 13 November 2023 by Mims Davies, Conservative
Those granted refugee status have recourse to public funds and are able to apply for Universal Credit as soon as they receive their grant of status. Individuals do not need to have received their Biometric Residence Permit before making a claim to Universal Credit. They will need to be able to verify their identity and their refugee status for their claim to be processed. Although refugees normally rely on their Biometric Residence Permit to verify their identity and their refugee status, other documents can be accepted.

DWP Staff are instructed to consider all available evidence when assessing a benefit claim, including checking directly with the Home Office to confirm immigration status where they are unsure. We are currently reviewing the guidance for staff on acceptable evidence for refugees including alternative evidence for those yet to receive a Biometric Residence Permit.

We are also reviewing our public guidance to make clear that those granted refugee status should make a claim to Universal Credit as soon as they receive their grant of status if they require financial support and should not wait until they receive their Biometric Residence Permit. This reflects the advice refugees are given in Home Office communications when they receive their grant of status.

UIN 145, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Caroline Lucas, Green Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in receipt of Universal Credit faced a (a) lowest, (b) low, (c) medium and (d) highest level sanction concurrently with deductions to their Standard Allowance of (i) up to five per cent, (ii) between six and 10 per cent, (iii) between 11 and 15 per cent, (iv) between 16 and 20 per cent, (v) between 21 and 25 per cent and (vi) more than 25 per cent in each of the last 12 months.

Answered on 15 November 2023 by Jo Churchill, Conservative
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Claimants must meet certain requirements to receive their UC payment. These will be based on individual and household information and will take account of health, earnings, caring responsibilities, alongside any ongoing work or volunteering. All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant and tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable.

UIN 146, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Caroline Lucas, Green Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people on Universal Credit have been sanctioned while awaiting a work capability assessment; and of those, how many have been subsequently assessed as having (a) limited capability for work and (b) limited capability for work related activity in each of the last 12 months for which data is available; and if he will make it his policy not to subject people awaiting (i) a work capability assessment and (ii) the outcome of work capability assessment to conditionality.

Answered on 15 November 2023 by Jo Churchill, Conservative
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Conditionality supported by sanctions has been a longstanding feature of welfare benefit entitlements in the UK since the formation of the welfare state. Access to earnings replacement benefits, for example, is traditionally conditional on recipients being involuntarily unemployed and subject to reasonable work-related requirements.

We will not expect a claimant to take up a job while they have suitable medical evidence, until the outcome of a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Any work-related requirements are agreed in discussion between the work coach and claimant. These should always be tailored to reflect the impact of the claimant’s health condition, disability, and wider circumstances, ensuring they are realistic and achievable

We exempt people with more serious medical conditions and disabilities, and those who are terminally ill, from any form of conditionality and sanctions. This includes those who have been found to have Limited Capability for Work or Work-Related Activity following their WCA.

In particular circumstances, work coaches can exempt claimants from usual availability and work search requirements for a temporary period by applying discretionary or compulsory easements. These circumstances include temporary periods of sickness.

Work Capability Assessment

UIN 900022, tabled on 7 November 2023 by Marion Fellows, Scottish National Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposals in the Work Capability Assessment: activities and descriptors consultation on the number of disabled people living in poverty.

Answered on 13 November 2023 by Tom Pursglove, Conservative
The consultation closed on Monday 30 October and covered a range of options on the Work Capability Assessment. We received over 1,300 responses to the consultation and these are now being considered.

The department has developed estimates of the number of claimants impacted across the range of options being considered in the Work Capability Assessment activities and descriptors consultation.

Assessing poverty impacts would involve projecting forward every household’s income and individual circumstances, which is not possible to do with confidence.

UIN 1616, tabled on 13 November 2023 by Marion Fellows, Scottish National Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the consultation entitled Work Capability Assessment: activities and descriptors, published on 5 September 2023, if he will make an estimate of the number of claimants that would no longer be found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity in (a) Motherwell and Wishaw constituency (b) Scotland and (c) the United Kingdom if each of the proposals in that consultation were implemented.

Answered on 20 November 2023 by Tom Pursglove, Conservative
DWP’s consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment closed on Monday 30 October. Over 1300 individuals and organisations submitted a response and 14 public consultation events were held, both face-to-face across Great Britain, and virtually. The consultation responses are now being considered and decisions will be taken in due course.

The department has developed estimates of the impacts of these proposals on disabled people. We are continuing to refine these estimates as responses to the consultation are considered. This analysis is not available at a subnational level.