Every parliamentary written question tabled by Neil Duncan-Jordan this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 661–680 of 1,111 · this parliament
Media and Sport, which stakeholders she is consulting as part of the Arts Council England review.
Baroness Hodge is conducting extensive nationwide engagement with stakeholders via interviews, visits, and roundtables to gather diverse perspectives for a comprehensive review.The Review launched a survey on 20 February which enables anyone with a view to share their opinions. To date we've had over 7500 responses; the survey closes on 30 June.
With reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 21 May 2025, Official Report, col.1015, when the revised eligibility criteria for the winter fuel payment will come into effect.
The Government wants to expand eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, recognising the goals of supporting these pensioners, meeting need and of sustainable public finances. Any change will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.
With reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 21 May 2025 col.1015, when she will publish the details of the revised eligibility criteria for the winter fuel payment.
The Government wants to expand eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, recognising the goals of supporting these pensioners, meeting need and of sustainable public finances. Any change will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.
What steps he is taking to help support people with axial spondyloarthritis to (a) remain in employment or (b) return to the workforce.
The Government and NHS England recognise the significant burden of disease associated with axial spondyloarthritis, particularly where diagnosis is delayed. We recognise the work of the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society in promoting early diagnosis and good access to effective treatment. Time from referral to diagnosis is included in the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit which covers National Health Service rheumatology services in England and Wales, and we have prioritised reducing waiting times for services through the Elective Recovery Programme and the Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme. We also have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, joining up health and employment support around the individual through programmes like WorkWell, as well as the mobilisation of eight place-based trailblazers to reduce economic inactivity.
What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of employment support programmes in getting long-term unemployed disabled people back into work.
The Pathways to Work Green Paper announced our plans to invest £1 billion a year by the end of the decade in new employment, health and skills support – one of the largest ever packages of specialist employment support. This investment will provide services based on this evidence of what works. This is on top of other support we are already providing, including:The new Jobs and Careers Service is part of the reforms outlined in the Get Britian Working White Paper, which in total, is backed by £240m for 2025/26.Connect to Work funding which will, in 2026/27, support up to 100,000 disabled people, those with health conditions or those with complex barriers to employment.Deploying 1,000 work coaches in 2025/26 to specifically support around 65,000 disabled people and those with health conditions who are interested in moving into work.WorkWell pilot, which joins up health and work support in 15 areas in England and is helping up to 56,000 people with support to remain in and get into jobs. We provide a range of employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions, and we have a strong commitment to evaluating these programmes. We know that being in good work is good for peoples mental and physical health and wellbeing, and is the best route out of poverty. Recent evidence shows that support can make a real difference in the number of people getting and keeping work. The recent evaluation of the Work Choice programme, a voluntary programme for disabled people that gave them skills, advice and ongoing support, that we published Work Choice impact evaluation - GOV.UK showed that eight years after referral, participants had a payrolled employment rate of 11 percentage points higher than the comparison group and the programme was estimated to return £1.67 back to the Exchequer for every £1 spent. We also recently published an evaluation of Additional Work Coach Time Support, which offers voluntary appointments with tailored support. This showed positive outcomes on peoples’ mental health and improvements in confidence and motivation to find work. The impact analysis showed that 12 months after the intervention, 11% of participants were in work compared to 8% of the comparison group – a 3 percentage point employment impact. The support also had a positive and statistically significant impact on earnings in each year, 2 to 3 years later. The European Social Fund, a voluntary programme available from 2015-2023, increased the amount of time spent in employment and reduced the amount of time spent on inactive benefits. On average, in the three years after using the programme, people spent 39.7 more days in employment. The ESF made a societal return of £1.50 for every £1 spent.
What steps he is planning to take to protect responsibilities for musculoskeletal conditions that currently sit within NHS England.
Over 17 million people in England live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition and improving their health and work outcomes will help deliver this government's missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future and kickstart economic growth. On 13 March 2025, it was announced that NHS England will be brought into the Department to form a new joint centre. We are assessing the full range of current functions across both organisations and options for future allocation. At this stage, it is too early to say what precise changes in personnel and organisational design will be. As we progress due process will be followed, including a comprehensive assessment of any impacts and risks associated with the reforms. We will ensure our decisions are guided by evidence, and above all, focused on improving care for all patients including those with a MSK condition.
What steps he is planning to take to improve the delivery of joined-up care for people affected by (a) axial spondyloarthritis and (b) other musculoskeletal health conditions following the abolition of NHS England.
As we bring together the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to form a new joint centre, we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, including for people with axial spondyloarthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, driving productivity up, and getting waiting times down. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.We continue to take forward the Government’s ambitious reform agenda as set out in the health mission, with more details to come when the 10-Year Health Plan is published. The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts the National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving MSK care for people in all parts of the country. More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all support people to manage their long-term conditions, including MSK conditions, closer to home.
When she plans to respond to the Technical consultation - Inheritance Tax on pensions: liability, reporting and payment which closed on 22 January 2025.
As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, from 6 April 2027 most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes.The Government is considering the responses to the technical consultation on the liability for reporting and paying any inheritance tax on pensions, which closed on 22 January.The government will publish a response document and draft legislation later this year in the normal way.
What plans she has for future funding arrangements for the British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways.
The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.
The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.
What are the rights of entry for emergency service personnel when accessing blocks of flats with secure entry systems.
Police forces in England and Wales have a range of powers of entry, including to protect life and investigate offences. These powers derive both from statute (primarily the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) and common law.Fire and Rescue Services have powers of entry under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, including to protect life or property in case of fire or other emergencies.Ambulance services do not have general powers of entry but may request police or fire and rescue service support if entry is needed in order to reach a patient in an emergency.
Whether he plans to publish an impact assessment on proposals to restrict care worker visas.
The Government has published a technical annex alongside the Immigration White Paper, and it estimates an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main applicants as a result of ending overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers. Further information about the technical annex and the Immigration White Paper is available, respectively, at the following two links:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821b49bdb6463b14cd8189c/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdfhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821f334ced319d02c906103/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-web-optimised.pdfThis is based on internal management information for entry visas granted covering the period March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared with the 12 months ending in March 2024, when more than 83,000 entry visas were granted to care workers and senior care workers. The analysis in the technical annex will be refined and included within the relevant impact assessments accompanying the immigration rule changes, as appropriate.
Media and Sport, what the criteria were for appointing members of the advisory panel for the Arts Council England review.
Advisory Panel members were selected for their wealth of knowledge and experience across the sectors that Arts Council England serves. They each bring a unique perspective from across the country to support the review.The review’s engagement with sectors is not confined to the Advisory Panel's membership. Stakeholders from different sectors across the country are being consulted as part of the review.
With reference to her Department’s consultation entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, updated on 2 May 2025, whether she plans to commission further impact assessments to consider (a) gender, (b) ethnicity, (c) caring responsibilities and (d) regional disparities.
Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab). A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. There will be no immediate changes. Changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of UC are not coming into effect immediately. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026 for UC and November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval. No one will lose access to PIP immediately. The changes, subject to parliamentary approval, would be brought in from November 2026. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. Someone who did not score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment – not least as many conditions tend to get worse, not better, over time. After taking account of behavioural changes, OBR predicts that 370,000 people who will be receiving PIP at the point of implementation of the four point requirement in November 2026, will have lost their PIP Daily Living entitlement by 2029/30. Of all PIP recipients at the point of implementation, 9 in 10 will not lose PIP during the subsequent 3 years from this change. The number of people currently on PIP and did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to lose PIP. It’s important to make a clear distinction between the two, not least because we do not want constituents to be unnecessarily fearful about their situation, when we understand many are already anxious. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. PIP is not based on condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead, and we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress.
Media and Sport, whether she considered the potential merits of ensuring that the advisory panel for the Arts Council England review included (a) musicians, (b) dancers, (c) composers, (d) singers and (e) educationalists.
Advisory Panel members were selected for their wealth of knowledge and experience across the sectors that Arts Council England serves. They each bring a unique perspective from across the country to support the review.The review’s engagement with sectors is not confined to the Advisory Panel's membership. Stakeholders from different sectors across the country are being consulted as part of the review.
What steps she is taking to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds (a) are aware of their entitlements and (b) can access welfare.
This government understands the specific challenges that migrant victims of domestic abuse hold, particularly for those who have no recourse to public funds. The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) provides partners here under the family, work or study Immigration Rules, who are victims of domestic abuse (and their dependants), with 3 months permission to stay in the UK without a no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition. The concession enables victims and their dependants to access relevant support, arrange to leave the UK or apply to remain in a different immigration capacity.There are also immediate settlement provisions for migrant victims of domestic abuse, under the Immigration Rules (Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse (Appendix VDA)). The government has recently uplifted the Support for Migrant Victims scheme, which helps migrant victims of domestic abuse with No Recourse to Public Funds, bringing the total investment to £2.4 million for 2025/26. The scheme, delivered by Southall Black Sisters, provides vital support, including accommodation, subsistence, counselling and legal advice. Further information on support for victims of domestic abuse can be found on the Domestic abuse: how to get help page on GOV.UK.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her Department’s consultation entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, updated on 2 May 2025, on (a) the NHS and (b) local government services.
No assessment has yet been made. Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab). A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. There will be no immediate changes. Changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of UC are not coming into effect immediately. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026 for UC and November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. PIP is not based on condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead, and we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress.
With reference to her review of PIP assessment, if she will publish a call for evidence from (a) honourable Members, (b) civil society organisations and (c) the public.
Through the review, which I will be leading, we want to make sure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. This includes considering the PIP assessment criteria – including descriptors - and how the PIP assessment can play a role in unlocking wider support to enable better health, good work, higher living standards and greater independence. I am working closely with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and others, to ensure that the voices of those who go through the PIP assessment, those who support them, and those with expertise in the system are embedded in the review.The scope and timing of the review is being developed in close collaboration with stakeholders. I have now begun the first phase of this work, inviting stakeholders with a range of experience and expertise to roundtables to consider the scope and timing. I will then publish the Terms of Reference for the review in due course.
When she will publish the (a) scope and (b) terms of reference of the review of PIP assessment.
Through the review, which I will be leading, we want to make sure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. This includes considering the PIP assessment criteria – including descriptors - and how the PIP assessment can play a role in unlocking wider support to enable better health, good work, higher living standards and greater independence. I am working closely with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and others, to ensure that the voices of those who go through the PIP assessment, those who support them, and those with expertise in the system are embedded in the review.The scope and timing of the review is being developed in close collaboration with stakeholders. I have now begun the first phase of this work, inviting stakeholders with a range of experience and expertise to roundtables to consider the scope and timing. I will then publish the Terms of Reference for the review in due course.
Which stakeholders have been invited to help develop the (a) scope and (b) terms of reference of the review into the PIP assessment.
Through the review, which I will be leading, we want to make sure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. This includes considering the PIP assessment criteria – including descriptors - and how the PIP assessment can play a role in unlocking wider support to enable better health, good work, higher living standards and greater independence. I am working closely with disabled people, the organisations that represent them and others, to ensure that the voices of those who go through the PIP assessment, those who support them, and those with expertise in the system are embedded in the review.The scope and timing of the review is being developed in close collaboration with stakeholders. I have now begun the first phase of this work, inviting stakeholders with a range of experience and expertise to roundtables to consider the scope and timing. I will then publish the Terms of Reference for the review in due course.