Written questions by Evans.

If she will publish the impact assessment for the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment regulations.

The Regulations came into force on the 16 September, the first day of the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week. A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this legislation because the effect is on individuals and private households rather than businesses or voluntary sector organisations. In making a decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the government had regard to an equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements. The equality analysis was published on Friday 13th September, and can be found here: Responses to Freedom of Information requests on Equality Impact Assessments produced for targeting Winter Fuel Payment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Asserson report into the BBC, published in September 2024.

The BBC has a duty, outlined in its Charter, to provide accurate and impartial news and information. That is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive issues such as the conflict in Gaza. However, the BBC is independent from the Government and its editorial decisions are rightly not something for the Government to interfere with.Responsibility for ensuring the BBC fulfils its obligations to audiences as outlined in its Charter falls with Ofcom, the independent regulator.

What the average processing time for a Pension Credit application was in the latest period for which data is available; and whether she has taken steps to improve that processing time.

The most recent information on processing times for Pension Credit was published in the DWP Annual Report and Accounts published on 22nd July 2024 (link to ARA 23/24). This shows that in 2023/24 DWP cleared 192,000 Pension Credit claims within the planned 50 working day timescale, equating to 77.7%. The department has secured funding for additional staffing to improve processing times.

If she will undertake a review of levels of public awareness of the roles and responsibilities of Action Fraud in investigating fraud-related crimes.

We are working with City of London Police to replace Action Fraud with a new and improved national police reporting service for fraud and cyber crime. The new service will use the latest technology to improve reporting tools and support services for victims, providing far greater intelligence to policing for investigations, and allowing for greater prevention and disruption at scale.In the meantime, Action Fraud have developed a calendar of campaign activity underpinned by data and insight, to encourage reporting to the service, increase public confidence and impact behaviour.Action Fraud and Cyber Protect also deliver national campaigns and helped to amplify national campaign activity from a host of partners, including the National Crime Agency (NCA), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the NCA’s National Economic Crime Centre, and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2024 to Question 33 on State Retirement Pensions: Women and with reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, what steps her Department is taking to consider the issues in the report.

Work is ongoing to consider the Ombudsman’s report and the views that have been expressed on all sides including the recommendations made by the Work and Pensions Select Committee and the points raised by representatives from the WASPI Campaign who I met on the 5th of September. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach.