Written questions by Glover.

What discussions her Department has had with app-based delivery companies on ensuring that health and safety protections in their workers' contracts are not undermined by the use of (a) substitution clauses and (b) accounts sublet by workers with no (i) formal agreement with and (ii) training from that company.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks. Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work. Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.

Whether the Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the contractual right to substitution in gig economy delivery work on the Health and Safety Executive’s ability to monitor and enforce safe working conditions.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks. Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work. Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.

When she plans to respond to the Third Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of Session 2023-24 on Defined benefit pension schemes, HC 144, published on 26 March 2024.

The Government is grateful to the previous Work and Pensions Select Committee for their valuable report on defined benefit (DB) pensions schemes and to the Chair for her sustained focus on this important area. I will respond to the Committee in the coming weeks.

What recent progress she has made on reducing the time taken for Access to Work applications to be processed.

We are committed to reducing wait times for Access to Work, and we have deployed additional staff to process claims and streamlined our delivery processes. We prioritise applications from customers starting a job in four weeks, and renewals. Access to Work continues to be in high demand and we recognise that further work is needed to ensure that it is providing a timely and effective service for customers.

What steps she is taking to tackle the proportion of people who die in poverty in South Oxfordshire constituency.

The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.For many years, the Special Rules applied to people who have 6 months or less to live, they have now been changed so they apply to people who have 12 months or less to live.  Changes to the Special Rules mean that thousands of people nearing the end of life are now able to claim fast-tracked financial support from the benefits system six months earlier than they were able to previously.

When he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 18 November 2024 and (b) 16 January 2025 from the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage on a request for a meeting on AEAT pensions.

My office has been in touch to arrange a meeting, and I look forward to it taking place soon.