Written questions by Whittome.

What discussions he has had with the Public and Commercial Services Union on the Synergy contract awarded to Capita.

Ministers and officials regularly discuss a range of matters with PCS and other trade unions.I have also recently written to the General Secretary of PCS on this matter specifically.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of current waiting times on decisions on claims for Attendance Allowance; and whether he will take steps to reduce the target processing time from up to 12 weeks, particularly for claimants undergoing active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.

The Department keeps Attendance Allowance processing times under review and recognises the importance of timely decisions for older people, including those undergoing significant medical treatment. Through our wider Service Modernisation programme, we have taken steps to speed up and streamline the processing of new Attendance Allowance claims. We are now working to a target of clearing 90% of new claims within 30 days, and current performance shows that the majority of claims are being cleared within around 3–4 weeks, supported by increasing uptake of the new digital application route. For customers who are nearing the end of life, we operate a dedicated fast-track process under the Special Rules for End of Life, where claims are prioritised and typically cleared within 8 days. The extension of the end of life definition from 6 months to 12 months ensures more people with advanced conditions can benefit from this expedited process.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of freezing Local Housing Allowance rates in 2026–2027 on low-income renters; and when he plans to review Local Housing Allowance rates.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are annually reviewed at Autumn Budget.In his Written Statement following Autumn Budget, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions confirmed that LHA rates will remain at current levels in 2026/27 (HCWS1101). A range of factors were considered, including rental levels across Great Britain, the challenging fiscal context, and the impact of current levels of housing support.To support our commitment to reduce child poverty, we prioritised removing the two-child limit which will bring 450,000 children out of poverty.Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities for low-income renters who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs. From April 2026 DHPs for England will be incorporated into the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

What steps he is taking to help improve the availability of (a) free and (b) independent benefits-related advice services in Nottingham.

The Department for Work and Pensions signposts customers to the following services in Nottingham, with which it has an active relationship. Meadows Advice CentreSt. Annes Advice - Disability Employment Advisers have a strong relationship with this organisation to support customers with Mental Health conditions.Clifton Advice CentreBestwood Advice CentreWest Bridgford Advice CentreNottinghamshire Deaf SocietyDisability Support - benefit support for those with disabilitiesNottingham City Council has a benefits team, and specifically one for carers St Anne’s Advice, Disability Support and Citizens Advice Centre all recently attended a DWP Health and Wellbeing event, to support customers with health conditions, and regularly attend our Disability Employment Adviser Cafes which provide an informal environment in Nottingham where the DWP works in collaboration with partners to support customers.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Universal Credit taper in incentivising part-time work.

The taper rate aims to make customers financially better off in work by ensuring that their Universal Credit award is reduced by less than their earned income. Universal Credit has a single taper rate of 55% and some customers will also benefit from a work allowance which is the amount someone can earn before their Universal Credit award starts to reduce. Once a customer is earning more than their work allowance (if applicable), their Universal Credit starts to be reduced at a consistent rate.

What assessment she has made of (a) the potential impact of the benefit cap on poverty rates among larger families and (b) the potential merits of its abolition.

No assessment has been made. This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in autumn, that will deliver fully funded measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty. We are considering all available levers, including considering social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life as part of our strategy.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the closure of the DWP office employees in Lincoln; and whether flexible working arrangements will be offered to staff who cannot relocate.

The department currently has excess space. All decisions around estates are driven by departmental strategy to deliver a smaller, better and greener estate. Equality Analysis has been undertaken as part of the decision-making process. Since the announcement, all affected colleagues in Lincoln have been supported through a detailed conversation between each individual and their line manager to assess the personal impact of any closure, and inform consideration of all alternative employment options. Redeployment activity is now underway, looking at vacancies in other DWP locations and other government departments. As a responsible employer, DWP offers flexibility including hybrid working, workplace adjustments and other support, but like other government departments, DWP is not a home working organisation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of her proposed changes to disability benefits on (a) people who receive social care support and (b) social care support providers.

This Government has already started to bring about change to address health-related economic inactivity. We are injecting almost £26 billion of extra funding next year to get the health and social care system back on its feet and bring down waiting lists. The Pathways to Work Green Paper set out our plans to reform the health and disability and employment support system. As we bring forward changes, we will ensure that the most vulnerable and severely disabled people are protected, so that they can live with dignity and security. For those affected by the changes to PIP eligibility, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. For new claimants on the Universal Credit health element after April 2026, we are proposing that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will see their incomes protected. As we develop detailed proposals for change, we will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms.

What steps her Department is taking to improve waiting times for the Personal Independence Payment helpline.

Telephony is our customers’ primary channel to contact us. We continually assess the number of calls we are receiving and the associated waiting times, deploying resources accordingly to support service levels wherever this is possible. However, due to recent media articles regarding PIP, we have been receiving high volumes of calls. As a result, we have been deploying, where practical (whilst also balancing the need to complete necessary processing work) 100% dedicated telephony specific resource to the Personal Independent Payment telephony lines which will give extra support with the increase in both volume of traffic and waiting times.

Whether her Department plans to require periodic redeclaration of circumstances every six months for Universal Credit claimants from April 2025.

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the department will prompt Universal Credit claimants to confirm whether they have had a change in circumstances that might affect their claim. Any changes in circumstances declared will be processed and verified in the usual way. A roll out of this initiative will commence in April and testing will help determine frequency.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of weeks that people who live in supported accommodation and who have increased their working hours above 16 hours can claim extended housing benefit payments for.

Most working-age customers residing in supported housing now receive Universal Credit for their daily living costs and Housing Benefit for their rent support. Customers in receipt of Universal Credit are not eligible for extended rent support as Universal Credit is both an in-work and out-of-work benefit. Like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit has an income taper. As Housing Benefit may be claimed by those both in work and out of work, there are no rules around the number of hours that someone may work; instead, there are income tapers which apply. The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health. However, Housing Benefit treatment of earnings is less generous than that of Universal Credit. Therefore, although customers living in Supported Housing are better off working than doing no work at all, they can be financially better off limiting the hours they work to ensure they retain a small amount of Universal Credit entitlement.Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.

Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of supporting leaseholders in receipt of Universal Credit to pay service charge costs when they take up (a) part-time, (b) short-term and (c) seasonal work.

The Department has not recently assessed the potential merits of supporting leaseholders in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) to pay service charge costs when they take up a) part time, b) short-term and c) seasonal work.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting single parents in part-time work with dependent children from the Administrative Earnings Threshold.

The Administrative Earnings Threshold determines the level of work coach support that Universal Credit customers receive. Customers on low incomes are able to access regular work coach advice and support to help them to increase their earnings, this can include advice on childcare or help to address skills gaps to aid career progression. Work Coaches take each of our customers’ personal circumstances into account when agreeing reasonable actions to look for or progress in work, including any childcare responsibilities. Alongside this, we have committed to reviewing Universal Credit by listening to the full range of views on potential changes, so that our social security system is fit for purpose. And we will also be exploring how we can better support parents, as we develop our child poverty and labour market strategy objectives.

If she will take steps to ensure that participation in disability sports does not affect eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended as a contribution towards the extra costs faced by people with a long-term health condition or disability. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself, and can be paid at one of eight different rates to reflect those needs. Participation in sport is not necessarily an indication of needs reducing. We would hope that disabled people will take every opportunity to participate in sport, as we know that can improve health, wellbeing and overall independence. However, where needs change, it is right that the level of support in PIP should change to match those needs.

If she make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing benefits for those (a) in supported accommodation and (b) subject to higher service charge payments.

Supported housing provides a vital service for the most vulnerable people in society, helping them live as independently as possible in the community. The benefits system recognises the extra costs and service charges associated with supported housing.Housing Benefit is paid to those on a low income living in supported accommodation if they meet criteria set out in legislation. Housing Benefit can cover all or part of the rent and any eligible service charges and in the majority of cases full rent is paid.The Secretary of State is required to undertake an annual uprating review of benefits and state pensions every year. The review will commence at the usual time this Autumn.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people who are (a) under pension age and (b) terminally ill to access their state pension.

The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody has the merit of simplicity and clarity and provides an important trigger moment for planning purposes. Unlike some Private Pensions, it has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before they reach State Pension age. For those nearing the end of their life, the Government’s priority is providing people with financial support quickly and compassionately. Special benefit rules enable people who are nearing the end of their lives and have 12-months or less to live to get faster and easier access to certain benefits.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of allowing people who are terminally ill to withdraw funds from private pensions.

If you have a private or workplace pension, you may be able to begin taking an income and/or lump sums from your pension at any age due to ill health. This provision is dependent on the rules of the scheme and is a matter for individual schemes and may vary. Scheme members should contact their scheme administrators in the event of ill health to ascertain any benefits that they may be entitled to under the rules of the scheme.