Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

If she will make an estimate of the number of additional Pension Credit claims received since the announcement on changing the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment; and what proportion of these claims have been successful.

We are unable to advise how many claims for Pension Credit have been made and then awarded since 29 July 2024. This is because the Department currently reports clearance times by the week the claim was cleared, rather than the week the claim was made. As such this information is not currently available.However, statistics published on 28 November, show that 42,500 Pension Credit Claims were awarded between 29 July and 11 November Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK.

What the average time is for a successful Pension Credit claimant to start receiving winter fuel payments.

The department does not hold data on the average time taken for a successful Pension Credit claimant to receive their winter fuel payment. However, where the customer is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the department aims to make this payment within 2 weeks of the award of Pension Credit.

If she will allow people in receipt of a state pension to claim carer’s allowance.

Pensioners can claim Carer’s Allowance, but under overlapping benefit rules it is not normally payable. I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 17 December 2024 to question UIN 18844 which sets this out.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle antisemitism.

The appalling rise in antisemitism we have seen over the last year is a stain on our society, and the Government is absolutely committed to rooting out this abhorrent form of hatred. We have been working closely with the Independent Adviser on Antisemitism Lord Mann along with Jewish community voices such as the Community Security Trust on the most effective methods to tackle antisemitism.Government has committed further funding of £54 million for the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant to provide protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV and alarm systems) at synagogues, Jewish educational establishments and community sites until 2028. We are in the process of finalising a more integrated and cohesive approach to tackling antisemitism and will announce more on this soon.

What steps she plans to take to protect the privacy of people affected by proposals to allow investigators to access the bank accounts of people who claim benefits.

DWP investigators cannot access anyone's bank accounts, including under the proposed Eligibility Verification Measures within the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.

If he will have discussions with Royal Mail on ensuring that NHS correspondence is given a guaranteed next day delivery status.

The NHS has a Digital First strategy and most urgent appointments are already communicated by other means. The Government does not have a role in the operational decisions of Royal Mail as it is an independent business. However, in November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe and discussed the importance of a reliable universal postal service for delivering NHS correspondence. I understand Royal Mail is working with NHS bodies to ensure they have a choice of speed and price, including protecting the option of a First-Class service six days a week for more urgent NHS letters.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposals to allow investigators to access the bank accounts of people who claim benefits.

DWP investigators cannot access anyone's bank accounts, including under the proposed Eligibility Verification Measures within the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish information on food stock-to-consumption ratios in the UK.

Defra publishes a related measure, production to supply ratio, for a range of produce in its Agriculture in the UK publication. The same publication includes stock changes in its supply and use tables for cereals. The department’s UK Food Security Report 2024 also includes global stock to consumption ratios for a range of agricultural commodities.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to introduce further legal protections for people affected by proposals to allow investigators to access the bank accounts of people who claim benefits.

DWP investigators cannot access anyone's bank accounts, including under the proposed Eligibility Verification Measures within the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish a strategic plan for food security.

The Government is currently considering an ambitious food strategy that will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system, and in doing so will consider elements of the food system that can contribute towards those outcomes. More details will be made available in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to reintroduce the use of neonicotinoid as a pesticide.

This Government is clear that we will change existing policies to end the use of neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten bees and other vital pollinators.

What assessment she has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money the privatised prison maintenance service.

The value and performance of the Department’s private-sector service providers are subject to ongoing contract management, and current performance is in line with expected parameters.As contracts approach expiry, assessments are conducted to inform decisions about future services. A 2023 assessment in partnership with the Cabinet Office determined that a privatised solution was the preferred option for future prison maintenance services. These contracts will be competitively tendered.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3666 on Private Education: VAT, what steps she plans to take to monitor the impact of the policy changes on military families.

HMRC routinely monitors the impact of policy changes. The measure to remove the VAT exemption for education and boarding services provided by private schools will be kept under review through communication with affected stakeholder groups and stakeholders as well as education departments across the devolved governments. The government greatly values the contribution of diplomatic staff and serving personnel and provides the Continuity of Education allowance (CEA) to ensure that the need for frequent mobility does not interfere with the education of their children. As the government set out in its Summary of Responses to the Technical Note on Applying VAT to Private School Fees, the MoD has increased the funding allocated to the CEA to account for the impact of any private school fee increases on the proportion of fees covered by the CEA, in line with how the allowance normally operates. A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) has been published which gives a clear explanation of the policy objective together with comprehensive assessment of the impacts on the Exchequer, individuals and families, businesses and the wider economy, equalities impacts, and any other specific area of impact. The TIIN can be found here: Applying VAT to private school fees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmith industry in upholding standards of practice.

The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, whilst ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. While the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating expert trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry. The Department for Business and Trade currently has no plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmithing industry’s upholding of standards of practice.

If she will review the eligibility rules for carer's benefits to enable more carers to combine paid work and unpaid care.

Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting the elderly, disabled relatives or friends. Sometimes unpaid carers will need to turn to the benefit system for financial support, so it is right that we keep Carer’s Allowance under review, to see if it is meeting its objectives, and giving unpaid carers the help and support they need and deserve. The Government has announced that from April 2025 the weekly Carer’s Allowance earnings limit will be pegged to the level of 16 hours work at the National Living Wage (NLW) and in future it will increase when the NLW increases. This means that unpaid carers will be able to earn up to £196 per week net earnings and still receive Carer’s Allowance compared to £151 now. This means that an additional 60,000 unpaid carers will gain eligibility for the benefit between 2025/26 and 2029/30. This important change reduces a work disincentive inherent in the current Carer’s Allowance earnings system, but, as the Chancellor said at the Budget, we also need to look at the current “cliff edge” earnings rules. A taper, for example, could further incentivise unpaid carers to do some work. It could also reduce the risk of significant overpayments. However, introducing a taper in Carer’s Allowance is not without challenges and could significantly complicate the benefit as it currently stands and would mean a significant rebuild of the Carer’s Allowance computer system. DWP has begun some scoping work to see whether an earnings taper in Carer’s Allowance might be a feasible option in the longer term.Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance and doing some work will also be receiving Universal Credit. For those receiving Universal Credit, the 55% taper rate and any applicable work allowance will help to ensure that people are better off in work.

If she will exempt military compensation as income when calculating entitlement to means-tested benefits.

I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 5 December 2024 to question UIN 16635.

If he will produce guidance for employers on how to support unpaid carers in the workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that carers are supported to balance work and caring responsibilities and that guidance around policies which benefit unpaid carers in the workplace is readily available to employers and employees. Gov.uk guidance is already available covering flexible working, time off for family and dependents and unpaid carer’s leave. This will be of particular benefit to unpaid carers in employment and those who employ them.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to make caring a protected characteristic in employment law.

Carers are likely to be already protected from less favourable treatment under the Equality Act 2010, in relation to the protected characteristics of age and disability under the “discrimination by association” provisions. These provisions require employers to treat employees with caring responsibilities fairly and to not directly discriminate against them because they are looking after a young, old or disabled relative. It is ultimately for courts and tribunals to determine the protection applicable in a particular case. There are currently no plans to make caring a specific protected characteristic.Helping carers is an important part of our plans to modernise the world of work, ensuring they can enjoy a good job and contribute their skills alongside their valuable role as carers. The government is giving carers greater flexibility to work and increase their financial security by raising the Carer’s Allowance Weekly Earnings Limit by £45 per week. This will be the largest increase to the earnings limit since Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976.

If she will make it her policy to replace the public sector pay review bodies with collective bargaining.

The PRB process is the established mechanism for determining pay uplifts for many workforces in the public sector. It has operated for over four decades, provides independent advice and is a neutral process in which all parties play a role – and which unions campaigned to establish in the first place. The Chancellor is committed to this process but recognises that confidence in the process has fallen in recent years. The Government is committed to restoring this confidence That is why the Government took the decision to launch the 2025/26 pay round in September 2024 - three months earlier than last year. This will mean public sector workers get their pay awards closer to the start of the financial year, putting us on track to restore the process to its proper timetable by 2026/27.

If she will commission specialist support for carers who have not been in paid employment for some time on (a) managing finances, (b) work placements and (c) confidence building.

As we have promised in the recently published Get Britain Working White Paper, this government will be providing help more effectively by creating a new jobs and careers service to help people into work and get on at work, which will promote better joining up employment support. This will build on what the Department for Work and Pensions already offer to support carers. Part time carers on Universal Credit receive tailored support from their Jobcentre Plus work coach, who will adjust work related requirements to fit around their caring responsibilities. Support also includes skills training, career advice, job search help, volunteering opportunities and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry. Full time carers providing at least 35 hours caring per week, are not required to undertake any work-related activities, but they can access employment support voluntarily. Additionally, the department launched the Jobhelp pages offering advice to help carers make informed decisions about combining work and caring responsibilities.