Written questions by Riddell-Carpenter.

What the Universal Credit claimant count has been in (a) Leiston and (b) the IP16 postcode area in each month since January 2022.

Monthly Universal Credit statistics showing the number of people on Universal Credit, for the Postcode Area IP16, and the Ward Aldeburgh & Leiston or Leiston Jobcentre Plus office, are published in the People on Universal Credit dataset on Stat-Xplore, and are currently available to February 2026. Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract information. There is also a Universal Credit Official Statistics: Stat-Xplore user guide.

When Section 25 of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 will commence; whether the commencement of Section 25 will coincide with the coming into force of the relevant provisions of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 enabling the Child Maintenance Service to create Administrative Liability Orders; and what steps he is taking to ensure the timely implementation of these enforcement powers.

Work is ongoing to implement Administrative Liability Orders. Section 25 of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 will be commenced as part of the wider package of measures required to implement ALOs. We intend for its commencement to align with the relevant provisions of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023, which will enable the Child Maintenance Service to create Administrative Liability Orders. While Child Maintenance is reserved, enforcement of CM arrears in Scotland requires using the Scottish judicial system, which is devolved. We are working closely with HMCTS and the Scottish Government to ensure enforcement action resulting from ALOs operates effectively across the UK, and plan to introduce regulations to parliament to implement the measures across England, Scotland and Wales, as soon as possible.

What estimate he has made of the number of pensioners living in rural, off-grid homes who are ineligible for Pension Credit but are in fuel poverty due to reliance on heating oil; and whether he plans to (a) review eligibility thresholds and (b) introduce targeted support for such households.

Pension Credit provides direct financial support to pensioner households on the lowest incomes, ensuring that they receive a guaranteed minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee (SMG). The Standard Minimum Guarantee is subject to the Secretary of State’s annual statutory review of State Pension and benefit rates, and it will increase this year by 4.8% from April.

Whether the forthcoming review of disability support will include the needs of people with colour-vision deficiency; and whether he will assess low-cost steps to improve accessibility for people with red/green colour-blindness.

The overarching aims and scope of the Timms Review are set out in its Terms of Reference, which are available on GOV.UK. The Review will consider the role of PIP in enabling disabled people to live independently; whether the assessment criteria effectively capture the impact of long-term health conditions and disability in the modern world; and whether any other evidence should be considered as part of the assessment. It will also look at how the assessment could ensure people access the right support at the right level. It will be for the Review’s steering group, once in place, to set the Review’s strategic direction, priorities and workplan. Following an open and accessible expression of interest process, which ran from 30 October to 30 November, we are in the process of shortlisting candidates and will provide an update shortly.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of raising statutory maternity and paternity pay to match the National Living Wage.

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.

Whether she plans to review existing workplace temperature guidance; and if she will take legislative steps to set a maximum working temperature to protect employees’ (a) health and (b) safety.

The Government is committed to ensuring workplaces are safe in the modern world and in our Next Steps to Make Work Pay publication, we committed to look at how to modernise health and safety guidance for extreme temperatures. As part of this, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reviewing the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to ensure it is fit for purpose for a modern workplace. HSE will be consulting on review of the ACOP and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.

What steps she is taking to ensure that the application process for (a) Pension Credit and (b) other benefits is (i) accessible and (ii) supportive to (A) elderly and (B) vulnerable people.

Claims for Pension Credit can be made online at: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim. The service is available to use 24/7, and provides those who may struggle to make their claim alone the flexibility to have a friend or family member to support them when making their claim at a time that is most convenient to them. Pension Credit claims can also be made through the Freephone telephone number 0800 99 1234, and there is an option to complete a paper application form. DWP Agents and third-party organisations are also available to support customers with the application process. For customers who are unable to complete forms themselves a home visit from a visiting officer can be arranged. For customers who are deaf and use British Sign Language a Video Relay Service (known as VRS) is available and for customers who cannot hear or speak on the phone, can use Relay UK service. Further information can be found on Gov.uk Easy read: Pension Credit - GOV.UK. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is committed to providing the best possible support for all customers claiming benefits. We recognise as a Department we come into contact with claimants who are vulnerable. Many, particularly those with severe heath conditions and disabilities, already have support in place from third parties (friends, relatives or appointees for example). However, for those who don’t, DWP provide a range of information and services to support customers through its benefit application processes. For the most vulnerable customers we offer support through the Visiting Service. This can include help with form completion or the application process more generally. Support visits if you need help to claim benefits - GOV.UK DWP staff are trained to identify those who may need additional support, and Jobcentres will continue to provide face-to-face support as business as usual for those who cannot access support through telephony and digital channels. The Jobcentre will also consider whether the individual should be referred to specialist support within their geographical area.