Written questions by Darling.

What recent progress his Department has made in the completion of the Universal Credit split payment impact assessment; and whether they plan to use split payments as the default mechanism for all joint claims.

Awaiting answer.

If he will provide an update on the Access to Elected Office Fund; and when it is likely that applications for support will open.

Awaiting answer.

What consideration has he given to broadening the scope of countries where the UK state pension receives an annual increase.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to his oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Torbay at Work and Pensions Oral Questions on 29 June 2026, Official Report, Column 605, when the offer of a meeting was made;

Awaiting answer.

Whether an Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out on the closure of his Department's Service and Support Centre (SSC) at Cotswald House Torquay.

Awaiting answer.

What governance arrangements are in place for oversight of the Transform Decision Making programme.

We began testing a transformed decision making approach on 16 March 2026 in postcodes comprising around 1% of all national PIP assessment volume. On 1 June 2026 we expanded this to around 4% of all PIP assessment volume. This is an operational change, whi...

When the Transform Decision Making programme was initiated.

We began testing a transformed decision making approach on 16 March 2026 in postcodes comprising around 1% of all national PIP assessment volume. On 1 June 2026 we expanded this to around 4% of all PIP assessment volume. This is an operational change, whi...

How many personal independence payment (PIP) claimants are included in the Transform Decision Making pilot, expressed as both a percentage and number.

DWP is running a small-scale trial of a transformed decision making approach within the Health Transformation Programme's new Health Assessment Service, and we will evaluate the impacts. The initial phase of testing involved around 1% of PIP assessments f...

Which (a) external stakeholders and (b) disabled people’s organisations, have been consulted on the Transform Decision Making programme.

DWP is running a small-scale trial of a transformed decision-making approach within the Health Transformation Programme's new Health Assessment Service. The Health Transformation Programme regularly engages with a wide range of external stakeholders. The ...

What the cost to the public purse was of opposing the WASPI campaign's application for a costs capping order in their previous legal action.

As part of the previous legal action, a costs capping order was agreed between the Government and WASPI, through their lawyers. The Government did not oppose the order that the court issued in line with that agreement.

Whether the Government considered the potential merits of a cost capping order in the latest legal action brought by the WASPI campaign.

On 29 January 2026, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced the Government’s new response to the Ombudsman’s investigation, he apologised for the delay in sending out letters and committed to learning lessons from this. However, he conclude...

Whether the implementation of his policy to merge Housing Benefit for pensioners with Pension Credit will require Primary Legislation, and when he expects the new system to be in operation.

Through bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, we are working to ensure more pensioners receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. This work will deliver a simplified joined-up service that is more ...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of age restrictions on Level 7 apprenticeships on (i.) the future skills needs of employers; (ii.) on learners both currently and in the future who plan to stair case up levels of apprenticeships to complete a L7 apprenticeship; and (iii.) access to professional services jobs.

I refer the hon. Member for Torbay to the answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 115133.

(a.) if she will review the scope of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement to ensure it does not create a ceiling at Levels 4–6; (b.) what consideration has been given to including Level 7 professional and postgraduate qualifications; and (c.) what steps she is taking to ensure that the Lifelong Learning Entitlement is learner-led, including by reducing regulatory duplication for providers and enabling professional bodies and Growth and Skills Levy registered providers to deliver LLE funded courses alongside Office for Students regulated institutions.

The lifelong learning entitlement (LLE) will transform the student finance system in England, broadening access to high-quality, flexible education and training.When launched, it will support individuals to learn, upskill and retrain across their working lives. It will create opportunities for both young people and adults to develop the skills needed to succeed in life, contributing to growth across the country.The LLE will fund all courses currently funded through the Higher Education Student Finance system, including Level 7 integrated master’s and postgraduate certificate in education courses.Beyond this, we will continue to deliver a tailored loans package for postgraduate study. Postgraduate master’s loans provide up to £12,858 for tuition fees and living costs, and the Disabled Students’ Allowance is available to support with the extra study-related costs that may arise for students who have a disability.Learners will be able to use the LLE to fund individual modules as well as full courses at Levels 4 to 6, regardless of whether they are provided in colleges, universities or independent providers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 95517, whether the Department has conducted a review or internal audit the consistency of decision-making applied within Access to Work since January 2020.

We hold regular consistency meetings with all Service Assurance Managers, during which cases are reviewed collectively and discuss any instances where inconsistencies may arise. This ensures that all managers apply processes and guidance correctly and uniformly, helping to support a fairer process. We are also reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 95517 on Access to Work Programme, what data his Department has used to determine that there should be a focus on ensuring consistency in decision-making; and if he will publish that data.

The Department routinely focuses on strengthening case manager learning, ensuring colleagues have the skills and expertise required to apply Access to Work policy and guidance fairly and consistently. This approach has been driven by our commitment to continuous improvement rather than by specific data sources.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the accessibility of transport on barriers to employment experienced by disabled people.

The Department regularly conducts research and analysis that looks at the barriers faced by disabled people such as the ‘Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers’ and this can be found on GOV.UK. One way the Department supports disabled people to work with transport accessibility is through Access to Work. Access to Work contributes to the disability-related extra costs of working faced by disabled people and those with a health condition in the workplace that are beyond standard reasonable adjustments. It does not replace an employer’s duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments. The grant provides personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.

How many graduates who graduated in the last five years are registered as claimants at jobcentres.

There has been no assessment made of the number of graduates who have graduated in the last five years and are claiming benefits.

How many full-time equivalent front-line customer support staff worked on his Department's bereavement line in each year between 2021 and 2026.

The number of staff employed is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal departmental use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. ProductMar-21Mar-22 Mar-23Mar-24Mar-25Jan-26 RS Bereavement610550 490410500500 The Full Time Equivalent (FTE) figure supplied is at March for each financial year, and January for 2026 as this is the most up to date Data held for this financial year.The number Bereavement scheme staff has been derived from DWP's Activity Based Model (ABM). This model gives an estimated FTE based on a point in time estimate by Line Managers, as recorded on our internal systems each month.This total represents all aspects of Bereavement delivery, including Processing and Telephony.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 FTE.

What the (a) average and (b) longest recorded wait time was on his Department's bereavement line in each year between 2021 and 2026.

The below table shows the Average Time to Answer and Maximum Time to Answer for all calls to Bereavement Services in an hours, minutes and seconds format (hh:mm:ss), itemised by each of the requested Reporting Years. Please note, that the current *2025 – 2026 reporting year, shows data up to and including 22/02/2026 only. Reporting YearProduct LineAverage Time to Answer (hh:mm:ss)Maximum Time to Answer (hh:mm:ss)2021-2022Bereavement Services00:06:3601:26:432022-2023Bereavement Services00:07:3201:33:002023-2024Bereavement Services00:06:3201:04:582024-2025Bereavement Services00:07:5301:55:072025-2026*Bereavement Services00:06:0200:50:59