Written questions by Cadbury.

Whether he is taking steps to help decrease the amount of time to assess Mandatory Reconsiderations for Disability Living Allowance for children.

Disability Living AllowanceFrom April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Disability Living Allowance for children was 121.7 working days.We have approved overtime and reallocated decision makers to clear our outstanding Disability Living Allowance Child MR cases more quickly. This will help us to reduce our clearance times. Attendance AllowanceFrom April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Attendance Allowance was 29.4 working days. Personal Independence Payment PIP MR clearance times are published at Personal Independence Payment statistics - GOV.UK. They can be found by accessing the latest release and opening the excel tables. Tables 4A – 4Biii contain information on PIP MR median clearance times. Employment and Support AllowanceESA Work Capability Assessment MR clearance times are available on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/. They can be found by going through “ESA Work Capability Assessments”, “Mandatory Reconsideration – Clearances” “Table 4 – Median Clearance Times by Date of Decision”.

What the current average processing time is for Mandatory Reconsiderations for (a) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and (b) other disability‑related benefits.

Disability Living AllowanceFrom April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Disability Living Allowance for children was 121.7 working days.We have approved overtime and reallocated decision makers to clear our outstanding Disability Living Allowance Child MR cases more quickly. This will help us to reduce our clearance times. Attendance AllowanceFrom April 2025 to January 2026, the average actual clearance time for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) for Attendance Allowance was 29.4 working days. Personal Independence Payment PIP MR clearance times are published at Personal Independence Payment statistics - GOV.UK. They can be found by accessing the latest release and opening the excel tables. Tables 4A – 4Biii contain information on PIP MR median clearance times. Employment and Support AllowanceESA Work Capability Assessment MR clearance times are available on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/. They can be found by going through “ESA Work Capability Assessments”, “Mandatory Reconsideration – Clearances” “Table 4 – Median Clearance Times by Date of Decision”.

If his Department will continue to respond to constituency casework inquires from hon. Members in writing.

Where a complaint is raised by an MP, it is referred to the DWP Complaints Team who will investigate the complaint and aim to resolve it within 15 working days. If the matter is complex and will take longer than 15 days, the complaints resolution manager will keep the MP updated and tell them when they can expect a response. Upon completion of the investigation, a full written response will be issued to the MP via their designated Parliament.uk secure email address. In terms of dealing with matters quickly, it may be possible with MP agreement to do a telephone resolution and this can be followed up with a written response if requested.

What steps his Department is taking to support unemployed people over the age of 50 years old.

We offer support for those out of work through our network of Jobcentres and contracted employment programmes. However, we recognise the employment challenges faced by some older people and that is why we offer additional support for older jobseekers. For eligible new over 50s jobseekers on Universal Credit, we offer Additional Work Coach Time (AWCT) which provides more intensive, tailored support during the first nine months of their claim. This is in addition to the skills provision and job search support that work coaches currently offer to Jobcentre customers.Work coaches and employers are supported by a network of 50PLUS Champions working across all 37 Jobcentre Districts. Champions provide a critical layer of support through Jobcentres to ensure the needs of older people are met. Activity includes facilitating engagement with local employers, promoting age inclusive policies, and supporting work coaches to deliver activity locally.Further support is available to eligible over 50s on Universal Credit through Midlife MOTs. These are delivered in Jobcentres and provide an opportunity to review health, finances and skills, and signpost to suitable support. There is also a digital Midlife MOT which is available to everyone.We know that work helps everyone, including older people, play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement. That’s why the Government is committed to reforming employment support to ensure it is inclusive and meets the needs of those who require it.

What discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities office on supporting women over the age of 50 years old back into employment.

There have been no direct discussions with the Minister for Women and Equalities’ office on this specific issue. The Government recognises the valuable contribution that women over the age of 50 make to the economy and society. Work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement. We offer support for those out of work through our network of Jobcentres and contracted employment programmes. However, we recognise the employment challenges faced by some older women and that is why we offer additional support for older jobseekers. For eligible new over 50s jobseekers on Universal Credit, we offer Additional Work Coach Time (AWCT) which provides more intensive, tailored support during the first nine months of their claim. This is in addition to the skills provision and job search support that work coaches currently offer to Jobcentre customers.Work coaches and employers are supported by a network of 50PLUS Champions working across all 37 Jobcentre Districts. Champions provide a critical layer of support through Jobcentres, to ensure the needs of older people are met. Activity includes facilitating engagement with local employers, promoting age inclusive policies, and supporting work coaches to deliver activity locally.Further support is available to eligible over 50s on Universal Credit, through Midlife MOTs, delivered in Jobcentres which provide an opportunity to review health, finances and skills and signpost to suitable support. There is also a digital Midlife MOT which is offer available for everyone.We know that work helps everyone, including older people, play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement. That’s why the Government is committed to reforming employment support to ensure it is inclusive and meets the needs of those who require it, including unemployed or economically inactive women over the age of 50.DWP officials also work closely with the Office for Equality and Opportunity on the policy proposals in the Employment Rights Bill which will require large employers with more than 250 employees to produce Menopause Action Plans on how they will support employees through the menopause. The Government has published guidance on menopause, including for small employers on measures to consider relating to uniform and temperature, flexible working and recording menopause related leave and absence.

What financial support is available to carers who incur additional living costs supporting people whose Personal Independence Payments are stopped upon entering hospital as long-term in-patients.

The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance (CA) is to provide a measure of support and recognition to those whose caring responsibilities mean they are unable to work full time. In order to receive CA, the person being cared for must be in receipt of a disa...

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13503 on Personal Independence Payment: Patients, how many individuals have had personal independence payments withdrawn after entering (a) hospita

As explained in the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13503 on Personal Independence Payment: Patients, found here, the information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. Suspensions of Personal Indepe...

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of financial support available to individuals in hospital whose personal independence payments are paused.

Where an adult age 18 or over is maintained free of charge while undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution funded by the NHS, payment of (but not entitlement to) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) ceases ...

How many individuals have had personal independence payments withdrawn after entering hospital care for more than 28 days in the last four years.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. Suspensions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for admission to hospital are combined in the PIP Computer System with admissions to hospices and ca...

What steps she is taking to reduce hygiene poverty in (a) London and (b) England.

Tackling poverty in all forms, from reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels to ensuring people can afford essentials like hygiene products, is a priority for this government. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people...

What steps the Child Poverty Taskforce will take to estimate levels of hygiene poverty in England.

The Child Poverty Taskforce has started urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in Spring and will explore all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. The taskforce is exploring a ...

How many people were denied Bereavement Support Payments in (a) 2024 and (b) 2023.

Table 1: Number of Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) claims disallowed during 2023 and 2024 20232024Number of claims disallowed62402300 Notes- Figures for 2023 covers the period of January 2023 to December 2023- Figures for 2024 only covers the period of January 2024 to March 2024- The number of claims disallowed have been rounded to the nearest 10 Source: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

How many people were denied Bereavement Support Payments in (a) 2024 and (b) 2023 due to their deceased partner not having made the necessary national insurance contributions.

Table 1: Number of Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) claims disallowed due to the deceased partner having insufficient National Insurance Contributions during 2023 and 2024 20232024Number of claims disallowed 1660530 Notes- Figures for 2023 covers the period of January 2023 to December 2023- Figures for 2024 only covers the period of January 2024 to March 2024- The number of claims disallowed have been rounded to the nearest 10 Source: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/