Every parliamentary written question tabled by Amanda Hack this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–8 of 8 · Department for Work and Pensions
What steps he is taking to support people with health conditions into work.
This Government is committed to championing the rights of, and helping, disabled people and people with health conditions. More people with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work through our Pathways to Work offer which includes the Connect to Work Supported Employment programme, and through the expansion across England of our groundbreaking programme WorkWell.
What discussions his Department has had with HM Treasury on changing the housing benefit taper rate for individuals living in supported accommodation.
It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment. We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for working age customers residing in supported and temporary accommodation. Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups. We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while taking into account the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions will be taken in the round and in the context of the current fiscal environment.
What steps he is taking to help ensure that entering employment does not result in a net financial loss for young people living in supported housing.
It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment. We acknowledge there is a challenge arising from the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, particularly for working age customers residing in supported and temporary accommodation. Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, residents in Supported or Temporary Accommodation and customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rules would apply to all these groups. We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while taking into account the views of stakeholders. Any future decisions will be taken in the round and in the context of the current fiscal environment.
With reference to the consultation by the Health and Safety Executive entitled GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR) - creosote assessment for renewal, closed on 24 November 2024, whether he plans to issue new guidance on the use of creosote coatings on telegraph poles.
Following the period of public consultation on creosote, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is undertaking an in-depth assessment as part of the renewal process of creosote as a biocidal active substance under the Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation. This work is still under way, and is due to complete in Spring 2026. A final decision on the renewal will be taken by the Secretary of State in 2026.
When she plans to publish the (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23 and (c) 2023-24 Social Fund Annual Reports.
Work on the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Social Fund Annual Reports is underway, and these will be published as soon as possible. The 2023-24 Social Fund Annual Report will follow in due course.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) prolonged waiting times and (b) lack of clarity regarding the application process on people with disabilities who are attempting to make use of the Access to Work scheme.
Access to Work has a significant backlog of applications, with 62,000 outstanding applications in February 2025. This has resulted in significant delays and we are considering changes within the existing policy framework to reduce this. To support customers with the application process, we have streamlined our delivery process and made all core parts of the Scheme, such as applying and requesting payment, fully digital. We recognise that significant delays can have adverse effects on customers, our Case Managers receive training in how to identify and support vulnerable customers during their application process and can provide advanced support to those whose wellbeing is affected during the application process.
What recent data her Department holds on the number of complaints made per month about the Child Maintenance Service.
The number of complaints made to DWP regarding the Child Maintenance Service is published within table 11 of the Child Maintenance Service Official Statistics: Child Maintenance Service statistics - GOV.UK. Data is presented on a quarterly basis. Table 1: Number of complaints received by the Child Maintenance Service QuarterComplaints receivedJan to Mar 2015625Apr to Jun 2015625Jul to Sep 2015760Oct to Dec 2015715Jan to Mar 2016645Apr to Jun 2016635Jul to Sep 2016710Oct to Dec 2016695Jan to Mar 2017840Apr to Jun 2017760Jul to Sep 2017645Oct to Dec 2017745Jan to Mar 2018990Apr to Jun 20181,400Jul to Sep 20181,595Oct to Dec 20181,810Jan to Mar 20192,430Apr to Jun 20192,485Jul to Sep 20192,830Oct to Dec 20192,410Jan to Mar 20202,590Apr to Jun 20201,360Jul to Sep 20201,430Oct to Dec 20201,865Jan to Mar 20211,815Apr to Jun 20211,710Jul to Sep 20211,545Oct to Dec 20211,505Jan to Mar 20221,570Apr to Jun 20221,455Jul to Sep 20221,450Oct to Dec 20221,380Jan to Mar 20231,420Apr to Jun 20231,285Jul to Sep 20231,385Oct to Dec 20231,260Jan to Mar 20241,435Apr to Jun 2024975 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 5
What data her Department holds on average response times to queries from users of the Child Maintenance Service since 2019.
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) are committed to delivering the best possible service to all customers. Customers can contact the CMS in a number of different ways. This could be via the telephone, by post or through the CMS online service. Depending on what the query is and how it was made, response times can vary. Whilst the DWP does not collate data on average response times for all queries across different CMS channels, we are working to improve the efficiency of our customer interactions. We will continue to review, evaluate, and enhance our service lines to meet demand and deliver a quality customer service.