Alok Sharma: We do not require formal disclosure of abuse to establish split payments for Universal Credit claimants, and we do not ask for any evidence relating to the abuse. An individual can be accompanied by a representative from a third party organisation to provide expert support when disclosing domestic abuse to a work coach. All personal information is treated in confidence, and we do not disclose...
Alok Sharma: In April 2018 we updated our Universal Credit learning products to include additional information on domestic abuse, covering physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and financial abuse, and controlling and coercive behaviour. These products are regularly reviewed. Our jobcentre staff undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours...
Alok Sharma: We have always said that there will be transitional protection for those claimants with existing premiums whose overall Universal Credit entitlement would be less than under the old system, provided that their circumstances remain the same. We are bringing forward regulations in the Autumn which make provision for this and we have recently announced that we will introduce additional...
Alok Sharma: The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Alok Sharma: The Department has regular discussions with other Government Departments in the context of ensuring that the benefit system is fair to British citizens, those who settle here and those who migrate to the UK. DWP officials work closely with the Home Office and other Government bodies to help individuals to confirm their residency in the UK and ensure that they receive the support to which they...
Alok Sharma: In supporting victims of domestic violence, DWP offers a range of support open to survivors and those still experiencing domestic abuse. Jobcentre staff delivering Universal Credit undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality service to all claimants. Specific training and guidance is provided for...
Alok Sharma: The policy to provide additional Universal Credit support for a maximum of two children encourages families who receive benefits to make the same financial decisions as those families who support themselves solely through work. Exceptions are an important part of the policy and we have always been clear they will be delivered in the most effective, compassionate way, with the right...
Alok Sharma: The Department has not made a direct comparative assessment. Sanctions are only used in a minority of cases, when people fail to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason. When a sanction is applied, hardship payments are available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs, including accommodation, heating, food...
Alok Sharma: DWP continues to make changes to improve the Universal Credit experience for claimants and ensure that up front childcare costs do not have a financial effect on Universal Credit households with a low income. For example, we have introduced measures to reduce the waiting time for the reimbursement of upfront childcare costs. Since February 2018, Universal Credit claimants have been able to...
Alok Sharma: The level of unemployment in Dudley, using the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Annual Population Survey (APS), was estimated to be 8,300 in the year to December 2017. The unemployment rate was 5.6%, in the year to December 2017, and is estimated to have fallen by almost half (46%) since the year ending December 2010. Data from the ONS Labour Force Survey shows that since the 2010...
Alok Sharma: In addition to national initiatives available such as the Work and Health Programme and the Enhanced Support Offer, there are currently 67 local partners available to support unemployed people in Dudley. These are in a variety of sectors and include educational, voluntary and charitable organisations. We also support employers with their redundancy programmes. To date in 2018, support has...
Alok Sharma: Since February 2018, over £100,000 of flexible support funding has been used to support unemployed people in Dudley. Additional support can also be allocated to purchase training for customers either on an individual basis or for groups of customers with similar needs at a local level. Funding from national programmes such as the New Enterprise Allowance, Specialist Employability Support...
Alok Sharma: A volunteer is defined as a person: 1. who is engaged in voluntary work for someone who is not a relative; and 2. where the only payment that person receives or is due to be paid to that person is in respect of expenses they have reasonably incurred in connection with that work. Source: Advice for Decision Makers Guide (Chapter R2) -...
Alok Sharma: We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government on the transfer of welfare powers covered by the Scotland Act 2016, including split payments, on which we hope to see progress. As this is currently the subject of on-going policy development between DWP and the Scottish Government, the Department is not in a position to share correspondence.
Alok Sharma: I am today laying a proposed draft Remedial Order to amend the Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013. The proposed draft Remedial Order ensures the right to a fair hearing for a small group of job seekers who had a live appeal against a sanction decision made under the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Employment, Skills and Enterprise Schemes) Regulations 2011 (“the ESE Regulations”) when...
Alok Sharma: The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council met on the 21th June 2018 in Luxembourg. The Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Union, Katrina Williams, represented the UK. Three legislative proposals achieved general approach at the Council. These were the proposed Revision of Regulations on coordination of social security systems (883/04 and 987/09); the...
Work and Pensions: Benefit Sanctions.
Witnesses: Alok Sharma MP, Minister of State for Employment, Department of Work and Pensions Neil Couling CBE, Director Universal Credit Programme Iain Walsh, Director of Labour Market Strategy & International Affairs Colin Stewart, Universal Credit Operations Area Director (North)
Alok Sharma: Through our Universal Support programme, the Department provides support for claimants with budgeting, or with using digital services. Support is delivered through local partners, and we also work with a range of stakeholders to ensure claimants can access other forms of support including housing, debt advice, low energy tariffs and passported benefits. We also have a freephone helpline...
Alok Sharma: Interviews for the Universal Credit Full Service survey were conducted with claimants between March 2017 and September 2017. Since then, in response to evidence and feedback, DWP continues to make changes to improve the experience to claimants. For example, since 28th February 2018, Universal Credit claimants have been able to upload digital copies of their childcare cost receipts or...
Alok Sharma: The Department’s data on Universal Credit payment timeliness is not currently available for publication by area or region. Our latest research shows that nationally, around 80% of new claims are paid in full and on time. The Department’s internal data shows that for those cases where full payment has not been made, around a sixth have not signed their Claimant Commitment or passed...