Written questions by Darling.

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 effective, consistent, and improves pensioner access to financial support.There is no requirement for primary legislation changes to deliver this joined-up service, which we will be testing with a small set of customers from Autumn 2026 to ensure improvements are having the impact we expect, before agreeing to roll out more widely.

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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

For what reason Access to Work advisers no longer accept supporting evidence by email for new and renewal applications, and instead require applicants to submit documents by post; what assessment has been made of the potential impact of this change on processing times; and what steps are being taken to ensure that disabled people are not subject to related increases in the time taken to access or retain employment.

As has been the case for many years under successive administrations, DWP does not generally allow evidence for health and disability benefits to be submitted via email. This is because this evidence often contains sensitive personal data, which must be submitted via more secure means. Contact methods, including evidence submission, for Access to Work was brought into alignment with this policy. We do, however, support alternative methods of communication, including the use of email, for customers who, because of their disability or health condition, are unable to submit evidence by other means. We do not anticipate any significant impact on processing times for Access to Work customers. We also continue to prioritise employed and self-employed applicants who are due to start work within the next four weeks or renewing existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform and ensure Access to Work is tailored to the needs of all customers.

How many applicants for (a) new Access to Work awards and (b) the renewal of existing awards who undertook holistic workplace assessments received support in line with the recommendations of those assessments in each of the last three years.

The Department does not hold data on how many applicants for (a) new Access to Work awards and (b) the renewal of existing awards who undertook holistic workplace assessments received support in line with the recommendations of those assessments in each of the last three years. Determining this information would require manually reviewing individual applications which would incur disproportionate cost.

For what reason Access to Work advisers no longer accept supporting evidence by email for new and renewal applications; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that change on processing times; and what steps he is taking to ensure that disabled people are not subject to delays in accessing and retaining employment as a result.

As has been the case for many years under successive administrations, DWP does not generally allow evidence for health and disability benefits to be submitted via email. This is because this evidence often contains sensitive personal data, which must be submitted via more secure means. Contact methods, including evidence submission, for Access to Work was brought into alignment with this policy. We do, however, support alternative methods of communication, including the use of email, for customers who, because of their disability or health condition, are unable to submit evidence by other means. We do not anticipate any significant impact on processing times for Access to Work customers. We also continue to prioritise employed and self-employed applicants who are due to start work within the next four weeks or renewing existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform, and ensure Access to Work is tailored to the needs of all customers.

From January 2023 to December 2025, what information his Department holds on the number of instances where waiting times for Access to Work have resulted in claimants losing their job or having their working hours reduced.

Access to Work is only available to people who are in work or about to start work, and the number of hours worked does not affect eligibility, so this type of data is not recorded.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that local carer services are able to provide Income Maximisation services and crisis support to unpaid carers.

Overall Government responsibility for support for unpaid carers in England sits with the Department for Health and Social Care. DWP can provide financial support to qualifying unpaid carers through Carer’s Allowance, the Carer Element in Universal Credit and the Carer Addition in Pension Credit. Income Maximisation Services and other Crisis Support may be available to unpaid carers locally through a number of routes, including independent organisations such as the Carers Trust. DWP staff can signpost unpaid carers to this support where appropriate. DWP can also support unpaid carers who wish to combine their caring responsibilities with paid work through our Jobcentre Plus network and other employment support.

How many carers have been convicted of fraud since 2015 due to Carer’s Allowance overpayments.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has prosecuted cases of benefit fraud since 2012. DWP will refer cases where there is evidence that a claimant has deliberately claimed benefits they are not entitled to or provided false information. The decision to prosecute is decided by the CPS. The NAO published DWP’s data on the number of cases related to the overpayments of Carer’s Allowance that were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) for prosecution since 2015. These are available on p.23 in the NAO Investigation into overpayments of Carer's Allowance report published on 26 April 2019. These volumes relate to cases where the individuals concerned have a Carer’s Allowance overpayment, however Carer’s Allowance might not be the primary benefit under consideration for the prosecution. On p.30 in the NAO Carer’s Allowance report published on 11 December 2024. These volumes are only where a case is being referred for prosecution where a Carer’s Allowance overpayment was the primary benefit under investigation. Therefore, they are not directly comparable to the preceding volumes. The volumes are for all prosecutions including earnings-related cases.

Whether unpaid carers will be classified as a financially vulnerable group eligible for the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

My Department has engaged with stakeholders on the design of the Fund through a structured co-design process, including eligibility requirements. We are considering feedback received through this process, and we plan to publish guidance in January 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51603, if he will provide an update on when the Pathways to Work White Paper will be published.

We have already put in place the equivalent of over 1000 full-time Pathways to Work advisers across Britain to support disabled people into work. We have also launched the Timms Review to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future and are increasing the number of health assessments that are being conducted in person. We will be bringing forward other policy updates in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to support unpaid carers into paid employment.

The Government is committed to supporting carers to balance unpaid care with paid work where this is feasible. Eligible carers may still receive benefits while working, allowing them to increase their overall income. Support includes identifying skills gaps and referral to skills training, careers advice, job search support, volunteering opportunities and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry. Unemployed customers who require more intensive employment support can also be referred to the Restart programme. Customers providing care for fewer than 35 hours a week receive personalised support through their Jobcentre Plus work coach to help them find work and their work expectation is tailored to fit caring responsibilities. For unpaid carers who are entitled to Carer’s Allowance, we have introduced the largest increase in the earnings limit since Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976. The earnings limit is now 16 hours work at National Living Wage levels and over 60,000 additional people will be able to receive Carer’s Allowance between 2025/26 and 2029/30. DWP also provides information to help carers and potential unpaid carers make informed decisions about combining work and care through their JobHelp Care choices site.

How many unpaid carers have been supported into work through his Department's employment support programmes in the last 12 months.

The Government is committed to supporting carers to balance unpaid care with paid work where this is feasible. Eligible carers may still receive benefits while working, allowing them to increase their overall income. The information requested is currently not available. However, support provided by the department includes identifying skills gaps and referral to skills training, careers advice, job search support, volunteering opportunities, localised support and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry. Unemployed customers who require more intensive employment support can also be referred to the Restart programme or Connect to Work. DWP also provides information to help carers and potential unpaid carers make informed decisions about combining work and care through their JobHelp Care choices site. The Get Britain Working White Paper sets out our ambition to reform Jobcentre Plus and create a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone, to access good, meaningful work, and support them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers. The new Jobs and Careers Service will be universal to all - regardless of their barriers to work - and the principles of accessibility and inclusivity will be core to service design.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of supporting unpaid carers into employment on the economy.

Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. We know that for the vast majority of people, care begins at home with their families. Many people wish to play a role in caring for their friends and family, and we recognise that for some this can be a significant commitment.  We are committed to supporting carers to balance unpaid care with paid work where this is feasible. Whilst there is no formal impact assessment of the impact of supporting unpaid carers into employment on the economy, unpaid carers who claim DWP benefits and provide care for fewer than 35 hours a week receive personalised support through their Jobcentre Plus work coach to help them find work and their work expectation is tailored to fit caring responsibilities. DWP also provides information to help carers and potential unpaid carers make informed decisions about combining work and care through their JobHelp Care choices site.