Written questions by Pinkerton.

Whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of back-to-work programmes for autistic people seeking long-term employment in Surrey.

The DWP are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including autistic people, with their employment journey and there are currently a number of initiatives to support individuals, including autistic people, to return to work. These include:- Pathways to Work Advisers are delivering support in Jobcentres for disabled people and people with health conditions to help them move towards and into work, building on and expanding existing evidenced measures like additional work coach support. On 6 March 2025 we announced the deployment of 1000 Pathway to Work Advisers to help people with health conditions and disabled people towards and into work.- Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offer advice and knowledge on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work;- Connect to Work is DWP’s voluntary, locally led Supported Employment Programme that will help disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment. For neurodivergent people, Connect to Work has a specialist pathway that is dedicated to supporting those with particularly complex barriers. It follows the Supported Employment Quality Framework, which is backed by an international evidence base and has been proven to support neurodivergent people into sustainable employment. Connect to Work will be across all of England and Wales and will support over 300,000 people over five years. For the Surrey Connect to Work delivery area, Surrey County Council are the lead authority. Their Connect to Work service is live and more information, including how to apply for support, can be found here:Connect to Work - Surrey County Council- Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, which combines psychological treatment and employment support for people with mental health conditions; and- WorkWell, a new way to deliver integrated work and health support that is designed by local partnerships. Sites went live from October 2024 in 15 areas in England including Surrey Heartlands and Frimley ICB which covers Surrey Heath. It provides a low intensity holistic support for health and disability related barriers to employment, and a single joined up gateway to existing local work and health service provision. We carry out a wide range of research and evaluations to ensure we can best support people with disabilities and health conditions, and evaluation is a key driver in delivering DWP’s priority outcomes and ensuring alignment with the Government’s Plan for Change. As set out in the DWP Evidence and Evaluation Strategy, ongoing evaluation of new and existing initiatives assesses whether they are achieving intended results and informs future policy design. However, no assessment has been made of adequacy of back-to-work programmes and Government-funded employment support schemes specifically for disabled and neurodivergent people, including autistic people, specifically in Surrey Heath.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an autism employment strategy to help improve (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) career progression for autistic people.

In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. We have now received a final version of the Panel’s report. We will need to consider the findings alongside other key pieces of work, such as the Keep Britain Working Review.We also support employers to be more inclusive in their workplace practices, regardless of diagnosis. DWP's current offer to employers includes:A digital information service, www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/, this service guides employers through workplace scenarios, including on making reasonable adjustments.The Disability Confident scheme, which encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get into work. This includes resources around employing people with hidden disabilities, including autism and other neurodivergent conditions.Access to Work, which provides grant funding to support Workplace Adjustments that go beyond an employer's duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. This grant funding allows for personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.In addition, the DWP are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including autistic people, with their employment journey and there are currently a number of initiatives to support individuals, including autistic people, to return to work. This includes support through our local jobcentres. Pathways to Work Advisers are delivering support in Jobcentres for disabled people and people with health conditions to help them move towards and into work, building on and expanding existing evidenced measures like additional work coach support. Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offer advice and knowledge on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work. DWP’s voluntary, locally led Supported Employment Programme, Connect to Work, helps disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to find sustained work. For neurodivergent people, including autistic people, Connect to Work follows the Supported Employment Quality Framework, which is backed by an international evidence base and has been proven to support neurodivergent people into sustainable employment. For the Surrey Connect to Work delivery area, Surrey County Council are the lead authority. Their Connect to Work service is live and more information, including how to apply for support, can be found here: Connect to Work - Surrey County Council

What recent discussions his Department has had with (a) disability employment charities and (b) business representatives on improving access to skilled work for autistic adults in Surrey Heath constituency.

My Department has numerous contacts with organisations in the Surrey Heath constituency on these matters. Camberley Jobcentre works with Surrey Choices, which provides specialist employment support for individuals with autism through bi-weekly sessions. The Work Well programme and a newly appointed Connect to Work Employment Specialist are also co-located at the Jobcentre, strengthening support for neurodivergent customers. Additionally, our Disability Employment Advisors provide outreach via GP surgeries and partner with local charities such as Safe New Futures, Voluntary Support North Surrey, and Sight for Surrey to offer tailored support for residents with health conditions and disabilities. Frimley Park Hospital delivers supported internships for healthcare roles, successfully helping individuals into work. At national level, the DWP Strategic Relationship Team work in partnership with two national charitable organisations, Ambitious about Autism, and the National Autistic Society. We have utilised their expertise to deliver upskilling session to build awareness, capability, and confidence in DWP Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers. We have also developed an Autism Toolkit with support from these organisations, bringing together various resources utilised by colleagues to coach and guide our customers. Ambitious about Autism support a quarterly session to employers and partners, raising awareness of autism in the workplace, myth busting and providing some tips on how to create inclusive recruitment and retention of autistic talent. These sessions offer an opportunity for DWP colleagues to arrange follow up conversations with attendees, to influence inclusive recruitment, discuss the DWPs Disability Scheme and any offer general support to meet employer needs.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of unemployment of autistic adults in the (a) South East and (b) Surrey Heath constituency on the economy.

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential economic impact of trends in unemployment among autistic adults in the South East or the Surrey Heath constituency. The 2025 publication by DWP on The employment of disabled people reported that, across the UK, 34.0% of disabled people with autism (as either main or secondary condition) aged 16-64 were in employment in 2024/25, compared to 55.3% for all non-disabled people. This data is based on the Annual Population Survey. Data for disabled people for the South East and Surrey Heath constituency is available from the above publication (tables LMS009 and LMS010). However, equivalent data for disabled people with autism is not readily available and would be unreliable due to the small number of responses to the survey for this group in these areas.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the unemployment rate among autistic adults in (a) the South East and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. We have now received a final version of the Panel’s report. We will need to consider the findings alongside other key pieces of work, such as the Keep Britain Working Review.We also support employers to be more inclusive in their workplace practices, regardless of diagnosis. DWP's current offer to employers includes:A digital information service, www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/, this service guides employers through workplace scenarios, including on making reasonable adjustments.The Disability Confident scheme, which encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get into work. This includes resources around employing people with hidden disabilities, including autism and other neurodivergent conditions.Access to Work, which provides grant funding to support Workplace Adjustments that go beyond an employer's duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. This grant funding allows for personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.In addition, the DWP are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including autistic people, with their employment journey and there are currently a number of initiatives to support individuals, including autistic people, to return to work. This includes support through our local jobcentres. Pathways to Work Advisers are delivering support in Jobcentres for disabled people and people with health conditions to help them move towards and into work, building on and expanding existing evidenced measures like additional work coach support. Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offer advice and knowledge on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work. DWP’s voluntary, locally led Supported Employment Programme, Connect to Work, helps disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to find sustained work. For neurodivergent people, including autistic people, Connect to Work follows the Supported Employment Quality Framework, which is backed by an international evidence base and has been proven to support neurodivergent people into sustainable employment. For the Surrey Connect to Work delivery area, Surrey County Council are the lead authority. Their Connect to Work service is live and more information, including how to apply for support, can be found here: Connect to Work - Surrey County Council

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of Government-funded employment support schemes to help (a) disabled and (b) neurodiverse people into work in Surrey.

The DWP are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including autistic people, with their employment journey and there are currently a number of initiatives to support individuals, including autistic people, to return to work. These include:- Pathways to Work Advisers are delivering support in Jobcentres for disabled people and people with health conditions to help them move towards and into work, building on and expanding existing evidenced measures like additional work coach support. On 6 March 2025 we announced the deployment of 1000 Pathway to Work Advisers to help people with health conditions and disabled people towards and into work.- Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offer advice and knowledge on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work;- Connect to Work is DWP’s voluntary, locally led Supported Employment Programme that will help disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment. For neurodivergent people, Connect to Work has a specialist pathway that is dedicated to supporting those with particularly complex barriers. It follows the Supported Employment Quality Framework, which is backed by an international evidence base and has been proven to support neurodivergent people into sustainable employment. Connect to Work will be across all of England and Wales and will support over 300,000 people over five years. For the Surrey Connect to Work delivery area, Surrey County Council are the lead authority. Their Connect to Work service is live and more information, including how to apply for support, can be found here:Connect to Work - Surrey County Council- Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, which combines psychological treatment and employment support for people with mental health conditions; and- WorkWell, a new way to deliver integrated work and health support that is designed by local partnerships. Sites went live from October 2024 in 15 areas in England including Surrey Heartlands and Frimley ICB which covers Surrey Heath. It provides a low intensity holistic support for health and disability related barriers to employment, and a single joined up gateway to existing local work and health service provision. We carry out a wide range of research and evaluations to ensure we can best support people with disabilities and health conditions, and evaluation is a key driver in delivering DWP’s priority outcomes and ensuring alignment with the Government’s Plan for Change. As set out in the DWP Evidence and Evaluation Strategy, ongoing evaluation of new and existing initiatives assesses whether they are achieving intended results and informs future policy design. However, no assessment has been made of adequacy of back-to-work programmes and Government-funded employment support schemes specifically for disabled and neurodivergent people, including autistic people, specifically in Surrey Heath.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the barriers to employment faced by autistic people with (a) higher education qualifications and (b) professional experience in Surrey Heath constituency.

As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work. Our new service will move away from the current one size fits all approach, recognising people are individuals with different support needs and will provide better tailored support. The new service will be universal and must work for everyone, including autistic individuals with higher education qualifications and professional experience. In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. The panel has reviewed the formal evidence base in relation to workplace barriers neurodivergent people in getting into or remaining in employment, or in developing their careers. The panel has built on the work of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, which reported to the previous government, and which provided useful insights on the employment barriers faced by autistic people. We have now received a final version of the Panel’s report, which we will consider alongside the work of the major independent review on healthy and inclusive workplaces, Keep Britain Working. Furthermore, we know that whilst there are common and consistent barriers faced by disabled people and people with health conditions, including neurodivergent people, we also know that each individual will face a unique combination of these barriers that go beyond the barriers typically associated with their condition. DWP research asked disabled people and people with health conditions who were not currently in work the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a series of eighteen statements about the barriers to finding work. Barriers were grouped as health, confidence and skills, employer/workplace, and DWP/benefit related barriers. Overall, 87% of customers agreed with one or more of the statements, and on average customers agreed with six of the eighteen. The research found those cognitive/neurodevelopmental conditions saw interviews as a significant barrier, along with distance and travel barriers leading to disorientation when in new or unfamiliar places.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) timely and (b) adequate disability payments to blind people in Surrey Heath constituency.

We are committed to ensuring that people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment in a timely manner and always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence, including that from the claimant. Personal Independence Payments (PIP) provide support to disabled people, and those with long-term health conditions, including blindness, to help them live independent lives.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the (a) application and (b) appeal processes for disability benefits are accessible to (i) blind and (ii) visually impaired people in Surrey Heath constituency.

The (a) initial new claims application process for disability benefits is either paper or telephony based. A range of alternative formats are available for paper-based correspondence and is therefore accessible to blind and visually impaired customers. Customers can also progress their claims digitally, however, customers who are blind or visually impaired would need appropriate software to do so. If not, paper-based correspondence supported with alternative formats is available. In respect of (b) His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has a legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010 to provide reasonable adjustments for users with specific accessibility needs and to give equal access to our information. Users may ask for HMCTS leaflets, blank forms, and any documents relating to their case in an alternative format. Everyone has individual needs which we would discuss to meet their requirements. There are many different types of alternative formats. The more common types requested by users are: • audio translation• braille• coloured paper• documents sent by email in a specific format, to be viewed using assistive technology• easy read• font type• large print / font size

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to limit levels of pension investment into unsustainable fossil fuel practices.

The UK pension sector is increasingly playing a role in investing in a more sustainable future, with many schemes setting net-zero targets and actively engaging with companies to reduce emissions. As part of the pensions legislative and regulatory framework, there are requirements for regular reporting, including through Statements of Investment Principles, Implementation Statements and annual reports aligned with the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), along with voluntary Stewardship Code Reports. Taken together these requirements mean pension schemes must disclose how they are managing risks from any exposure to fossil fuels. The Government has consulted on new UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with international sustainability standards, and on our manifesto commitment on climate transition plans. Analysis of industry feedback currently underway will help shape future policies in these crucial areas. These measures aim to improve transparency and accountability across the economy, helping investors, including pension schemes, understand how climate and nature-related issues affect their portfolios.

What steps his Department is taking to support older people experiencing (a) emotional and (b) financial hardship in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government is committed to supporting pensioners and ensuring they have financial security and dignity in retirement. The State Pension remains the foundation of our support for pensioners. In April this year, both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1%, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. And our commitment to maintain the Triple Lock – helping to raise over time the value of the State Pension – for the entirety of this Parliament will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £1,900. Pension Credit continues to provide vital financial support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, find themselves on a low income. It was introduced by the last Labour Government specifically to help pensioners in financial hardship. It does this by guaranteeing a minimum level of income – called the Standard Minimum Guarantee – which was also increase by 4.1% in April to £227.10 week for a single pensioner or £346.40 week for a couple. Receipt of Pension Credit also opens the door to other financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support and help with NHS costs as well as help with fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That is why we continue to promote Pension Credit across the whole of Great Britain, including to eligible pensioners and their family and friends in Surrey Heath. Our ongoing campaign features adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press. DWP’s visiting service can also provide face-to-face support for vulnerable individuals with complex needs, ensuring they can access services—especially when they may have no one else to support them. The Household Support Fund remains available for those facing financial hardship, with funding extended to March 2026.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing pre-1997 indexation protections for individuals in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government has no plans to change the way pre-1997 indexation is applied to defined benefit occupational pension schemes. The minimum legal requirements for indexation must be appropriate across all defined benefit schemes. Changing these minimum requirements would increase the liabilities and costs for all schemes. The reforms in our Pension Schemes Bill give trustees more flexibility to share surplus with sponsoring employers, and better negotiate benefits for members, including discretionary increases.

What steps his Department is taking to support Universal Credit claimants to repay overpayments resulting from administrative errors in Surrey Heath constituency.

DWP strives to set affordable, and sustainable repayment plans and encourages customers to make contact if they are unable to afford the proposed repayment rate. In most cases, deductions from the UC standard allowance are capped at 15%. When a customer makes contact due to financial hardship, the repayment rate may be reduced or, depending on the customer’s financial circumstances, a temporary suspension of repayment can be agreed. Where an individual considers that recovery is not appropriate given their circumstances, they should contact the Department. A request for a waiver can be made and we will consider a number of factors included in the department’s Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide in line with HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money guidance. Independent financial advice is also available from organisations such as National Debtline Free Debt Advice and Support | National Debtline and MoneyHelper https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the two-child benefit cap for residents in Surrey Heath constituency.

This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) accuracy of Universal Credit assessments and (b) prevent overpayment errors for working single parents in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to ensuring the accuracy of Universal Credit (UC) assessments and minimising overpayment errors for all claimants. Improving Accuracy of AssessmentsWe have strengthened internal quality assurance processes and agent performance monitoring to ensure UC assessments are completed accurately, including: Targeted training Enhanced guidance Use of automated checks to reduce manual error. We also continue to refine our data-sharing arrangements with other government departments to ensure timely and accurate information is used in assessments. Preventing Overpayment ErrorsThe Department has introduced several measures to reduce overpayments, including: Enhanced Support Journey (ESJ) - Tailored support for claimants with complex needs, including working single parents, delivered through proactive outreach such as phone calls and home visits. Simplified Communications - Improvements to UC statements and letters to help claimants better understand their responsibilities and entitlements. Digital and Non-Digital Access Routes - Ensuring claimants can access support via telephone and face-to-face appointments where digital access is limited. Fraud and Error Reduction Initiatives - Focused interventions to reduce fraud-related overpayments, particularly in cases where claimants fail to engage with verification processes. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in the UC overpayment rate from 12.4% in 2023/24 to 9.7% 2024/25. The Department remains committed to further reducing error rates and improving outcomes for all UC claimants.

What steps his Department is taking to support parents financially in order to improve birth rates in Surrey Heath constituency.

The government provides a range of state-funded support for new parents depending on individual circumstances. Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay is available to working parents through their employers, and pregnant working women who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay may be eligible for Maternity Allowance. Parents also have access to Child Benefit. Families who are not working or who are on low incomes can claim Universal Credit and may also be eligible for Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) and Healthy Start vouchers for food and milk. More information about benefits and financial support available to new parents can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce financial hardship experienced by new parents.

The government provides a range of state-funded support for new parents depending on individual circumstances. Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay is available to working parents through their employers, and pregnant working women who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay may be eligible for Maternity Allowance. Parents also have access to Child Benefit. Families who are not working or who are on low incomes can claim Universal Credit and may also be eligible for Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) and Healthy Start vouchers for food and milk. More information about benefits and financial support available to new parents can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page. More broadly, the government is committed to giving every child the best start in life and we are considering all available levers. We will publish a Child Poverty Strategy in the autumn that will deliver fully funded measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty. The Government has also committed to review the parental leave and pay system.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of uprating Local Housing Allowance for residents in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are reviewed annually in the Autumn and as part of that decision, the impact of local rental market is considered. In April 2024, LHA was increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents, including in the Surrey Heath constituency, costing an additional £1.2bn in 2024/25 and approximately £7bn over 5 years. For those who face shortfalls in meeting their housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of Local Housing Allowance for residents in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are reviewed annually in the Autumn and as part of that decision, the impact of local rental market is considered. In April 2024, LHA was increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents, including in the Surrey Heath constituency, costing an additional £1.2bn in 2024/25 and approximately £7bn over 5 years. For those who face shortfalls in meeting their housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the adequacy of statutory (a) maternity and (b) paternity pay.

The Government has committed to review the parental leave and pay system. All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements are in scope of the Parental Leave and Pay Review.