Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tom Morrison this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–54 of 54 · Department for Work and Pensions
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the planned changes to welfare benefits on (a) families, (b) children and (c) families in poverty.
The government's impact assessment regarding Health and Disability Reform is available at Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts. A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
If she will make an estimate of the financial impact of the Access to Work scheme to the UK economy.
The Department has not made an estimate of the financial impact of the Access to Work scheme to the UK economy and currently does not have plans to do so. It’s impact is important, however, in enabling people to work who would not otherwise be able to do so.
If she will make an estimate of the number of people with Multiple Sclerosis who are on income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
In August 2024 there were around 6,500 people on income-related ESA with multiple sclerosis as their main condition.
What the average waiting time is for support to be granted to a claimant applying to the Access to Work scheme.
The average waiting time for a decision to be made on support for a claimant applying for Access to Work was 56.9 days from April 2024 to February 2025. We are consulting on this in the Green Paper and aim to reduce times. Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.
How many people with (a) neurological conditions and (b) multiple sclerosis are using the Access to Work scheme.
The Department does collect information on the primary medical condition of Access to Work recipients, however we do not hold information to the level required to identify people with neurological conditions. Therefore, we are not able to make an estimate of the number of people living with neurological conditions that are receiving support through the Access to Work scheme. Information on the number of Access to Work recipients with multiple sclerosis is not readily available. Details of an individual’s specific disability/medical condition is stored as descriptive, free-text information and would require manual examination of individual applications to analyse and therefore falls outside of the costs limit. Information on Access to Work volumes and expenditure by primary medical condition are published annually in the Access to Work official statistics: Access to Work statistics: April 2007 to March 2024 - GOV.UK
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of applying conditionality to disabled people in receipt of Universal Credit who are exempt from conditionality.
Currently, customers with disabilities receiving UC may have to meet certain requirements in return for the benefit they receive. Those with the most severe health conditions and disabilities however are not subject to conditionality requirements. Today the Government has published a green paper which sets out a new guaranteed offer of high-quality tailored support and a new baseline expectation of engagement for those with health conditions and disabilities and seeks views on which individuals or groups of individuals should be exempt from requirements to engage with this.
Whether her Department plans to align housing support for young people in supported accommodation with the Universal Credit housing element provided to private renters.
The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders. Maintaining Housing Benefit for customers in this type of housing has meant that they are not subject to the same restrictions that apply in general needs housing. We have taken this approach in recognition of the higher costs that can be associated with these types of housing. Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, those resident in Supported or Temporary Accommodation as well as those customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rate would apply to all these groups. Therefore, there are no plans to align the Housing Benefit taper with that of Universal Credit. The two benefits have different earnings rules, however, both include tapers that ensure that all customers are better off working than wholly reliant on benefits.
What steps her Department is taking to reform the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for young people in supported accommodation to remove disincentives to work.
The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders. Maintaining Housing Benefit for customers in this type of housing has meant that they are not subject to the same restrictions that apply in general needs housing. We have taken this approach in recognition of the higher costs that can be associated with these types of housing. Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, those resident in Supported or Temporary Accommodation as well as those customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rate would apply to all these groups. Therefore, there are no plans to align the Housing Benefit taper with that of Universal Credit. The two benefits have different earnings rules, however, both include tapers that ensure that all customers are better off working than wholly reliant on benefits.
Whether her Department plans to reinstate the Independent Living Fund to provide additional support to young people in supported accommodation.
There are currently no plans to replace the Independent Living Fund. DWP provides support with rent and other living costs to those who are eligible and living in supported accommodation through Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. In 2023/24, DWP spent £32 billion on housing support. Individuals, including young people with low income living in supported accommodation, may be eligible for housing costs to be paid by Housing Benefit if they meet legislative criteria. Housing Benefit may cover all or part of the rent and any eligible service charges, and in most cases, the full rent is paid. The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
What assessment her Department has made of the impact of the 65% Housing Benefit taper rate on the employment prospects of young people living in supported accommodation.
The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders. Maintaining Housing Benefit for customers in this type of housing has meant that they are not subject to the same restrictions that apply in general needs housing. We have taken this approach in recognition of the higher costs that can be associated with these types of housing. Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, those resident in Supported or Temporary Accommodation as well as those customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rate would apply to all these groups. Therefore, there are no plans to align the Housing Benefit taper with that of Universal Credit. The two benefits have different earnings rules, however, both include tapers that ensure that all customers are better off working than wholly reliant on benefits.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the Housing Benefit taper rate and increasing the applicable amount for young people in supported housing to reduce barriers to employment.
The Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders. Maintaining Housing Benefit for customers in this type of housing has meant that they are not subject to the same restrictions that apply in general needs housing. We have taken this approach in recognition of the higher costs that can be associated with these types of housing. Currently, a broad spectrum of customers receive their rent support through Housing Benefit. This includes pensioners, those resident in Supported or Temporary Accommodation as well as those customers who have not yet migrated to Universal Credit. Any amendment to the Housing Benefit taper rate would apply to all these groups. Therefore, there are no plans to align the Housing Benefit taper with that of Universal Credit. The two benefits have different earnings rules, however, both include tapers that ensure that all customers are better off working than wholly reliant on benefits.
What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of increasing employment among young people in supported accommodation through benefit reform on costs to the Exchequer.
We acknowledge there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. We recognise that there is potential for savings to the Exchequer from young people in supported accommodation increasing their earnings. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health. We are considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of work intensification on the ability of incapacity benefit claimants to (a) find and (b) maintain paid employment.
No assessment has been made. This government is commitment to supporting disabled people in finding and maintaining employment. We plan to establish a Disability Advisory Panel to ensure that the voices of disabled people are at the heart of the reforms set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper. The government aims to support more disabled people to find and thrive in employment, thereby reducing the disability employment gap. Additionally, we will set out reforms to health and disability benefits to ensure the system supports people who can work to remain in or start employment in a way that is fair and fiscally sustainable.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating the 25 pence age addition for those over 80 years old and in receipt of the Basic State Pension.
No assessment has been made of the potential merits of uprating the 25 pence Age Addition by this Government. The 25 pence a week Age Addition is part of the old State Pension, for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. It is paid with the basic State Pension, when somebody reaches the age of 80. The 25 pence Age Addition is not part of the new State Pension, but for those people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, the 25 pence Age Addition under the existing rules will continue