Written questions by Shannon.

What steps she is taking to support newly recognised refugees into employment in the agricultural sector.

DWP provides a wide range of support in Great Britain to help refugees into work. Employment support in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. DWP Support for refugees includes access to Restart, Sector Based Work Academies, work experience and help with English language skills where appropriate. We also work with national employers, trade associations and partners across a wide range of labour market sectors, including those from the agricultural sector, encouraging local Jobcentre link ups and the use of Find a Job to support people into work. To support agricultural recruitment specifically, DWP is working with Defra and key Trade Associations to develop and deliver their long-term strategy designed to build and develop a skilled workforce for both seasonal and long-term roles in the agriculture sector.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage people with physical illnesses to work from home.

Backed by £240m investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched on 26 November will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate. As part of the Get Britain Working plans the Government is launching Keep Britain Working, an independent review into the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. We want people to avoid poverty, and for this to happen we must ensure that disabled people and people with health conditions have the opportunity to work and save for as long as they wish and are able to. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. Through the Employment Rights Bill we are taking steps to improve the Right to Request Flexible Working so that an application is only refused if it is not reasonably feasible. Flexible working can include home working. Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, to thrive as part of the workforce. Our support to employers includes increasing access to Occupational Health, and the Disability Confident scheme. We also have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.

What estimate she has made of how many people have been absent from work because of long term sickness over the last six months.

The latest available data for long-term sickness absence covers the period from July 2023 to June 2024. In July 2023 to June 2024, 1.55 million people in the UK had been absent from work because of long-term sickness. This statistic can be found in the employment of disabled people 2024 table SAB001.

If she will take steps to make the application process for Universal Credit more accessible for people (a) who are not able to go online and (b) with learning difficulties.

DWP provides alternative channels to make a claim to UC for those who are unable to use the digital channel, this includes telephone or Jobcentre attendance. A home visit may also be considered if additional support is required. A range of support is available to support customers asked to move to UC. This includes information on gov.uk and support from the Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Help to Claim offers independent support to customers making a claim to UC, right up until their first full correct payment. Those individuals who are unable to access support via these channels, can go to their local jobcentre where staff will identify the right support to meet their needs to make and/or manage their Universal Credit claim.

When the most recent review of the frozen pensions policy was.

There has been no recent review of the policy. The policy on the uprating of UK State Pensions paid overseas is a longstanding one of successive Governments, which has been in place for over 70 years. UK State Pensions are payable worldwide, without regard to nationality, and are only uprated abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example in countries with which we have a reciprocal agreement that provides for up-rating. Up-rating is based on levels of earnings growth and price inflation in the UK which has no direct relevance where the pensioner is resident overseas. Over many years, priority is given to those living in the United Kingdom when drawing up expenditure plans for additional pensioner benefits.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that people who emigrate to (a) Canada and (b) Australia are aware that their state pensions will be frozen.

For a number of years, advice has been provided to the public that the UK State Pension is not uprated overseas except where there is a legal requirement to do so - for example where there is a reciprocal agreement that allows for uprating. Information on moving or retiring abroad is available on GOV.UK and this includes advice on how State pension is affected. Advice can also be obtained by calling the International Pension Centre on 0191 218 777 or from the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898

With reference to the Gingerbread report entitled Fix the Child Maintenance Service, published on 25 November 2024, what assessment she has made of the impact of non-receipt of child maintenance on child poverty levels.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to encouraging parents to meet their responsibilities to provide their children with the financial support they need to get a good start in life. Child Maintenance payments from both CMS and family-based arrangements keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year. The CMS has a low percentage of unpaid maintenance. 8% of the total maintenance due to be paid since the CMS began remains to be collected.The CMS has recently consulted on significant reforms and responses are being analysed. Proposals included removing the Direct Pay service and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster. The Government will publish a response in due course.The CMS continues to engage regularly with stakeholders, including Gingerbread, as we consider reform.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) address barriers to separated families setting up maintenance arrangements through the Child Maintenance Service.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) supports separated parents to work together in the interests of their children and to set up a child maintenance arrangement that is right for them.Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance is an online service that provides free information and support to help parents make decisions about CM and make a CMS application if they choose to.Applications to the CMS have been increasing. In the 12 months to September 2024, there has been a 13% increase in applications compared to the previous 12 months.Legislation to remove the £20 application fee was introduced in February 2024, removing a financial barrier to parents wishing to access the CMS.A consultation on proposed reforms to the CMS was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. This included removing Direct Pay and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster and explore how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported.The consultation also sought views on how we can ensure parents can access resources and support to help separated families agree on child support arrangements.The consultation was extended by the Government at the end of July and ran until 30th September 2024.We are analysing the responses we have received, and the Government will publish a response in due course.

How many women are on long term sick leave due to menopausal symptoms.

Although the government does not collect this data, we have proposed a wide-ranging set of generational reforms to boost protections for workers, including women experiencing menopause symptoms at work. The Government has also committed to publishing guidance, including for small employers, on measures to consider relating to uniform and temperature, flexible working and recording menopause-related leave and absence. Alongside this the Government has appointed a Menopause Employment Ambassador who will work with employers to improve the support for women experiencing menopause symptoms at work.

What steps she is taking with the devolved Administrations to help increase awareness among pensioners of benefits they may be entitled to.

This Government remains completely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. DWP uses a wide range of channels including information on Gov.uk, in letters, leaflets and via telephone to communicate information to older people about pensioner benefits, including how to claim, and signposts to devolved provision where appropriate. Where there is devolved provision for pensioner support, the Devolved Governments provide their own information and communications.

What steps she is taking to ensure the accessibility of PIP assessment centres for people with disabilities.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) takes its responsibility to ensure all individuals have access to our services without disadvantage very seriously. We have a range of provisions in place to ensure assessments are accessible to all individuals, in line with the standards under the Equality Act 2010.At all stages of the claim, individuals are asked to advise of any individual restrictions which could prevent / limit their ability to attend an assessment centre. Assessment suppliers will accommodate these or, if more suitable, make alternative arrangements for the individual to visit a different assessment centre or be assessed via a different assessment channel. Our agreement with the suppliers regarding accessibility of the assessment centres is detailed in Annex 2 - Design Standards of part 3 of the Functional Assessment Service contracts. This is available on GOV.UK contracts finder - Functional Assessment Service (FAS) 2024 - Contracts Finder.

If she will make an estimate of the number of pension credit claims received between January and November (a) 2024 and (b) 2023.

In 2024 we have received approx. 206,000 claims up to and including week commencing 16 Sept 2024, this figure includes data published by the Department on the 27 of Sept 2024. The Department has announced it will publish updated Pension Credit application and award statistics on 28 November 2024. Releases will be quarterly, including Pension Credit application, clearance, and award/non-award volumes data from 1 April 2024, up to the most recent data available before each publication. The previous publication can be found here: Weekly Pension Credit claims received from 1 April 2024 to 22 September 2024 - GOV.UK In 2023 for the same period, we received 201,000 claims, with an additional 22,000 claims made after this period and up to the end of October 2023. Please Note:• The figures presented have been collected for internal departmental use only and have not been quality assured to the same extent as Official Statistics• Intakes have been rounded to the nearest 1000• Data for 2023 is from two different sources, data from Jan 23 to end of March 23 and data from Apr 23 onwards• Methodology changes for intakes from 03.04.2023, impacting quality of data for 2023

What the earnings threshold was for (a) Carer’s Allowance and (b) Invalid Care Allowance in each of the last 30 years.

Carer’s Allowance, formerly known as Invalid Care Allowance, was introduced in 1976. The following table provides details of all increases to the earnings limit, from 1976 to the present day. Date fromDate toEarnings limit05.07.7611.11.82£612.11.8208.04.90£1209.04.9007.04.91£2008.04.9105.04.92£3006.04.9211.04.93£4012.04.9308.04.01£5009.04.0107.04.02£7208.04.0206.04.03£7507.04.0311.04.04£7712.04.0410.04.05£7911.04.0509.04.06£8210.04.0608.04.07£8409.04.0730.09.07£8701.10.0711.04.10£9512.04.1019.05.14£10020.05.1405.04.15£10206.04.1509.04.17£11010.04.1708.04.18£11609.04.1807.04.19£12008.04.1905.04.20£12306.04.2011.04.21£12812.04.2110.04.22£12811.04.2209.04.23£13210.04.2307.04.24£13908.04.2406.04.25£151

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of raising the Carer Addition in Pension Credit on low-income pensioner carers.

The Government appreciates how much society relies on unpaid carers and the vital contribution made by carers every day in providing significant care and continuity of support to family and friends. We recognise the challenges they are facing, and we are determined to provide unpaid carers with the help and support they need and deserve. The rates of Pension Credit are reviewed annually as part of the Secretary of State’s statutory review of State pension and benefit rates. The review for 2025/26 has been completed and its conclusions announced to Parliament: Writtenstatements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits extending the eligibility for the winter fuel payment to pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance who suffer with medical conditions.

Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over.Entitlement to Attendance Allowance is based on the on-going need for frequent personal care and attention, or supervision to ensure personal safety, rather than on the individual’s medical condition. It is paid out of general taxation and is a tax-free, non-contributory, and non-means-tested benefit so is not affected by other income or savings. Pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance and on a low-income may qualify for Pension Credit if all other eligibility criteria are met. Moreover, pensioners on low incomes and in receipt of Attendance Allowance can qualify for an additional amount in Pension Credit, providing they meet the other eligibility criteria.

What steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to encourage young people not in education, employment or training into (a) further education and (b) employment.

Under our plan to get Britain Working, we are working closely with the Department for Education to develop the new Youth Guarantee that will ensure that all young people aged 18-21 in England can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. This will sit alongside; a new national jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, work health and skills plans for the economically inactive, and the launch of Skills England to open new opportunities for young people. We will set out further detail in the upcoming ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper. Currently through the Youth Offer, we provide labour market support to young people aged 16-24 claiming Universal Credit through a range of tailored interventions to help reduce the barriers young people may face, bringing them closer to employment or appropriate training opportunities.

Whether she has had discussions with the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland on support for families in relative poverty.

Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is an urgent priority for this Government, and the Ministerial Taskforce is working to publish the child poverty strategy in the Spring. Officials have already held discussions with the Department of Communities. The Taskforce Co-Chairs have written to First Ministers to set out their aspirations for partnership working across our four nations and there will be regular engagement as the Strategy takes shape. In developing the UK-wide Child Poverty Strategy, we will draw on both reserved and devolved policy levers and work closely with Devolved Governments, recognising the progress that has been made on their poverty strategies and policies.

What discussions she has had with the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland on supporting young adults with mental health issues back into work.

Social security is devolved in Northern Ireland and is administered by the Department for Communities and it is for the Devolved Government to decide how to deliver employment support. The Department understands the longstanding negative implications unemployment may have on young people. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group who deserve access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Through our Get Britain Working Plan, we will introduce a new Youth Guarantee in England, meaning more opportunities for training, an apprenticeship or help to find work for all 18 to 21-year-olds. This will prevent young people becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age and ultimately help support better mental health. This will require input and expertise from a wide range of stakeholders, and we will engage with the devolved governments, including the Department for Communities as our plans develop.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of rises in energy costs on disabled people who use electronic aids and adaptations at home during Winter 2024-25.

We understand that energy bills are a concern for many people. We believe the only way to protect bill payers permanently, including disabled people, is to accelerate the green transition towards homegrown, clean energy.This Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and working with them so that their views and voices are at the heart of everything we do.We know disabled people face extra costs every day and this has been exacerbated by the increased cost of living. Ministers and officials have met with disabled stakeholders to discuss the impact of high energy costs for disabled people, including those who use electronic aids and adaptations in the home.We also expect energy suppliers to do everything they can to support customers who are struggling with their bills, especially vulnerable households such as those with individuals who are disabled. We encourage any vulnerable consumer who needs extra support to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

How many people are in receipt of a sickness benefit.

People ‘in receipt of a sickness benefits’ have been assumed to be those in the main phase of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the Universal Credit (UC) Limited Capability to Work (LCW) and Limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) groups. The Department regularly publishes Benefit Combination statistics on Stat-Xplore and these were extended in February 2024 to include additional information for those on ESA and the UC Health Journey, so can now be used to provide the information, from quarter ending May 2019 to the end of the latest quarter, February 2024. The figures can be obtained from the ‘Benefit Combinations - Data from May 2019 for England and Wales’ and ‘Benefit Combinations – Data from May 2019 for Scotland’ datasets using the ‘Additional Claim Details’ options. The ‘ESA Phase of Claim’ and ‘UC Health Journey’ options should be used to identify quarterly totals for ESA Support Group (SG), ESA Work-related Activity Group (WRAG), Universal Credit Limited Capability to Work (LCW) and Limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) groups, alongside Totals for those ‘Not on ESA’ and ‘Not on UC or UC Health Journey’. Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract the information required. Using the Benefit Combinations data on Stat-Xplore and the assumptions above, there are 3,043,410 working age claimants of ESA (SG or WRAG) or UC Health (LCW or LCWRA) within GB, at Feb-24. Notes:Total is rounded to 10.A person can claim both ESA and be on the UC health caseload and these claimants would be counted in each separate caseload in the published data on Stat-Xplore. Benefit Combinations data on Stat-Xplore allows these 'Dual claims' to be identified and only counted once in the above.