theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

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Cat Eccles:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department has taken to facilitate accessibility to the arts for young people outside of the visual media sector. \p Chris Bryant: Improving access to the arts for children and young people is a priority of this Government.

To increase children and young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts and culture, alongside sports and wider youth services, the recently announced Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy has allocated £132.5 million in England towards youth. In addition, 79% of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations work with children and young people, such as theatres, opera and dance companies. For example, the Royal Opera House works with schools and community groups across the country to engage people in opera and ballet.

Arts Council England funds the National Youth Dance Company and National Youth Music Organisations which play a vital role in increasing young people's access to the arts in the UK by offering high-quality training and performance opportunities, and by conducting outreach to schools and communities with higher proportions of young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Department for Education has also launched an expert-led, independent Curriculum and Assessment Review covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review seeks to deliver a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. This includes creative subjects such as art, music and drama.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with (a) church authorities and (b) Historic England on increasing flexibility in the (i) renovation and (ii) adaptation of listed churches for (A) community use and (B) accessibility improvements. \p Chris Bryant: DCMS ministers have recently met with both Church representatives and Historic England, however discussions have not covered the specific issue of increasing flexibility in the renovation and adaptation of listed churches for community use and accessibility improvements.

Through the Ecclesiastical Exemption, many denominations are already able to manage alterations to their own listed buildings, including adaptation to community use and greater accessibility, through internal permission systems.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when the Leader of Dundee City Council can expect to receive a response to his letter dated 14 November 2024. \p Chris Bryant: Thank you to the Leader of the Council for the invitations in his letter, they will be responded to shortly. I apologise for the delay.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to grant local authorities stronger powers to reject license applications for slot machines. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government wants local authorities to feel empowered to make decisions that are in their communities’ best interests. Local authorities have a range of powers to manage gambling in their areas, both under the planning system and as licensing authorities under the Gambling Act 2005.

As set out in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s English Devolution White Paper, the Government will look to complement local authorities’ existing powers in relation to gambling outlets to refuse or place conditions on premises licences, in line with measures outlined in the 2023 Gambling White Paper, when parliamentary time allows.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-08)

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Cat Eccles:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of holding the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government has clearly laid out its priorities in the manifesto and in the King’s speech, and the second part of Leveson is not among them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of treating Maternity Allowance as earned income for the purposes of calculating Universal Credit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No assessment is planned.

Universal Credit treats Maternity Allowance in the same way as legacy means-tested benefits, such as Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, in that it is taken fully into account. Whilst we keep all policies under review, we have no plans to review how Maternity Allowance is taken into account in UC.

Maternity pay is primarily designed as a health and safety provision for pregnant working women. We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work in the later stages of their pregnancy and following childbirth, if they wish, for their own health and wellbeing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department had discussions with veterans' organisations in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire on the unique needs of veterans during the development of her proposed welfare reforms. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We welcome the views of veterans and representative organisations.

The Pathways to Work consultation invites people to share their views on the proposals set out in the Green Paper. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, from across the United Kingdom, to respond to the consultation setting out their thoughts and views on how wounded, injured and sick veterans can best be supported.

To further facilitate input, we held a specific consultation event for Armed Forces and veterans’ organisations to hear their experiences and thoughts directly.

As we develop proposals further, we will continue to consider the impacts of changes, including on veterans, as part of our wider consideration of responses to the Green Paper consultation. We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, and we will continue to engage with MoD and the OVA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to introduce safeguards for pensions against future (a) sale and (b) transfer of pension funds to (i) insurance companies and (ii) other entities. \p Torsten Bell: Insurance buyout is a long-established way of ensuring members get the full value of their promised defined benefit (DB) pensions from an insurer, backed by a 100 per cent compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This is widely regarded as a positive outcome for scheme beneficiaries.

The Pension Schemes Bill 2025 introduces a regulatory framework for “superfunds”, which can consolidate closed DB schemes where buyout is unaffordable. Member security is at the heart of the new regime, which has rigorous safeguards and robust funding requirements. Superfunds will also continue to be overseen by the Pensions Regulator and underpinned by the Pensions Protection Fund.

Trustees must be satisfied that transferring the liabilities of the scheme to an insurer, or to a superfund, is in the best interests of the members before any transfer can take place.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59059 on Carer's Allowance, whether her Department has made a comparative assessment of Carer's Allowance with equivalent support mechanisms provided to unpaid carers in other OECD countries. \p Sir Stephen Timms: DWP monitors the operation of Carer’s Allowance (CA) and keeps the benefit under continual review to see if it is meetings its objectives, which are to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who are not able to work full time because of their caring responsibilities.

We will continue to spend record amounts on CA to provide unpaid carers with the help and support they need and deserve, with CA being uprated each year by the Consumer Price Index to help ensure it maintains its value. As set out in my answer to PQW/24-25/2025/54424, it is important to remember that unpaid carers can also receive means-tested benefits which contain additional amounts specifically to recognise the extra costs and responsibilities of being an unpaid carer.

Making international comparisons of benefits and other support is far from straightforward. There are a range of support measures introduced by national governments where caring is taking place. Sometimes their primary objective is to provide financial support for the older or disabled person to help meet the additional costs of needing care and are typically accessed through an assessment of the amount of help required by the disabled or older person. They are also frequently paid to the person receiving care, on the assumption that they will then pass them on to a family caregiver of their choice, sometimes with no formal requirement of how it should be used.

Many national schemes are funded through social health or protection insurance payments and the carer’s access to any support is often entirely dependent on the insurance entitlement of the individual or person receiving care. In other instances, ‘cash for care’ measures are aimed at offering consumer-style choice to older and disabled people. In such instances, benefitting carers, if at all, is a secondary aim. In both instances these measures differ widely in terms of target group, eligibility criteria, interactions with formal care service, payment levels and whether they are means-tested. Their impact on carers also varies, depending on local labour markets, the availability of formal long-term care services, and social attitudes towards the roles of families in caring for older and disabled people. Australia and Ireland have schemes which are most similar to the UK system in that they offer support directly to carers, but very importantly they are means tested, unlike CA.

We have no current plans to commission specific research into the adequacy of CA or its detailed impacts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to prevent companies sponsoring pensions from reducing pension indexation rates below promised levels. \p Torsten Bell: Defined Benefit schemes are legally required to increase pensions in payment annually (for pension rights earned from April 1997 onwards) to provide pensioners with a measure of protection against the effects of inflation.

Before April 1997, there was no statutory requirement on defined benefit schemes to increase pensions once in payment, apart from any Guaranteed Minimum Pension element (paid in place of the additional State Pension) earned between April 1988 and April 1997 which must be increased by inflation capped at 3 per cent.

Defined Benefit schemes must meet the legal minimum requirements. However, schemes can and do make more generous arrangements through the scheme rules. If the scheme rules provide for increases above the legal requirements these increases must continue to be paid.

If a member thinks the trustees or sponsoring employer have acted outside the scheme rules, they can take the matter up with the pension scheme through the Internal Dispute Resolution arrangement the scheme is required to have in place.

If the Internal Dispute Resolution arrangement does not provide a satisfactory conclusion, they may wish to consider taking the case to the Pensions Ombudsman.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps she has take to encourage people who are eligible to apply for pension credit. \p Torsten Bell: The Government wants all pensioners to get the support to which they are entitled. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign. The campaign included adverts on television, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube, on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens as well as in the press.

This drive has successfully boosted applications. The latest applications and awards statistics were published on 29 May and are available at: Pension Credit applications and awards: May 2025.(opens in a new tab) The statistics show that the Department received over 285,000 applications since 29 July 2024 and made almost 60,000 extra awards on the comparable period the previous year.

Since February, the Department has also been writing to all pensioners who make a new claim for Housing Benefit and who appear to be entitled to Pension Credit – directly targeting this group and encouraging them to make a claim.

The campaign is currently live on social media, radio and in print, with further promotional activity planned for this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that veterans with severe, long-term PTSD qualify for automatic exemptions from repeat disability assessments. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Currently, Work Capability Assessment reassessment referrals are prioritised for customers on Employment and Support Allowance and the health element of Universal Credit who report a change in their health condition. The frequency of when reassessments occur is determined by available capacity in our system.

Our wide-ranging package of reforms to health and disability benefits, set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, will improve experiences of the system for those who need it. This includes the resumption of reassessments initiated by the Department. These will initially prioritise people who are most likely to have had a change in their circumstances including those who have short-term prognoses, for which we can reasonably anticipate a change in health condition has occurred. Over time, we will then prioritise available reassessment capacity for other cohorts who are likely to change award.

The functional impact and severity of a condition can significantly vary across individuals, which is why we will continue to ensure that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will not need to be reassessed.

I have attended today an online event with veterans, as one of the series of consultation events on the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of back-to-office policies on the workplace inclusion of disabled people. \p Alison McGovern: It is recognised that employers play an important role in addressing health and disability. To build on this, the Government has asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead “Keep Britain Working”, an independent review of the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. The review is expected to produce a final report with recommendations in autumn 2025.

All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

There has been research on the attitudes around homeworking from the DWP work aspirations project. It found that there were mixed attitudes towards homeworking.

The Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (2023) analysed homeworkers, including the prevalence of hybrid working. The survey found that having a disability or long-term condition had little effect on levels of homeworking. Disabled workers reported similar levels of homeworking only (18%) compared with non-disabled (16%). Workers who had a long-term condition for 12 months or more similarly reported homeworking at 18% compared with 15% without. The survey found that there was a difference for hybrid working - Disabled workers are significantly less likely to have hybrid working patterns (24%) compared to non-disabled workers (30%).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report by Maternity Action, entitled Pushed into Poverty, published in May 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the recommendation on £7.99 million model costing for maternity allowance to be treated as earned income by Universal Credit on women in low income jobs. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No assessment is planned.

Universal Credit treats Maternity Allowance in the same way as legacy means-tested benefits, such as Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, in that it is taken fully into account. Whilst we keep all policies under review, we have no plans to review how Maternity Allowance is taken into account in UC.

Maternity pay is primarily designed as a health and safety provision for pregnant working women. We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work in the later stages of their pregnancy and following childbirth, if they wish, for their own health and wellbeing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many mixed-age couples are impacted by the rule which prevents them from claiming pension-age benefits until the youngest partner reaches State Pension age. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The requested information is not held

The requirement that both members of a couple need to have reached State Pension age to be eligible for Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit took effect from 15 May 2019. Income-related benefit support for couples where only one partner has reached State Pension age is provided through Universal Credit instead.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the press notice entitled New steering group to champion disabled people in elected office, published on 9 June 2025, how the members of the working group from political parties were selected; and whether political parties were consulted in the selection process. \p Sir Stephen Timms: It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.

On 9 June we announced a new Access to Elected Office Steering Group to support the development of a new fund to help with the disability-related expenses of gaining elected office. Drawing on their lived experience and expertise of disability, accessing funding or standing for elected office, members will work with the Minister for Social Security and Disability to ensure the fund is effective in increasing disability representation in future elections.

Members for the steering group were chosen based on their experience as disabled candidates, their expertise and advocacy work in disability inclusion, and their lived experience with disability. Political parties were not consulted during this process. Affiliation to political parties was not a criterion for selection of individuals, though efforts were made to ensure cross-party representation.

This approach was adopted to maintain focus on the core objective of the steering group - improving access to elected office for disabled people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45439 on Personal Independence Payments and with reference to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, published on 18 June 2025, whether PIP claimants of pension age who (a) are subject to a planned award review and (b) request a change of circumstances review from November 2026 will be impacted by changes to eligibility requirements. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The vast majority of claimants over State Pension age are on ongoing awards, with a light-touch review scheduled for 10 years. This is because we know that, as people get older, their conditions tend to get worse rather than better, and as such we think that is sensible and proportionate to reduce reassessment burdens on people over the pensionable age.

These claimants will therefore not undergo a review of their PIP award at the 10-year light touch review point, unless they request one due to change in their circumstances.

In line with existing policy, if they do request a review – such as due to an improvement or deterioration in their condition – after the new rules come into effect in November 2026, the four-point criteria will apply.

There is a small number of claimants over State Pension age on fixed-term awards, often because they have a planned operation or treatment that is likely to make a significant difference to how their condition affects them. Case managers will consider these on a case-by-case basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average time taken was from the date an Access to Work application was submitted to the date a decision was made in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The longest wait time during April 2024 – March 2025, from the date submitted to the date the decision was made was 393 days

The shortest wait time during April 2024 – March 2025, from the date submitted to the date the decision was made was 1 day

The average wait time during April 2024 – March 2025, from the date submitted to the date the decision was made was 56.9 days

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.

We are committed to reducing waiting times for Access to Work and are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and applications from customers who are about to start a job or who are renewing are prioritised.

The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to get Britain Working’ Green Paper was published on 18 March. Alongside the Access to Work reform proposals introduced in the Green Paper, we are considering further options to reduce the waiting time for customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Access to Work applications were (a) submitted and (b) rejected in (i) part and (ii) full in the 2024-25 financial year; and how many and what proportion of applications that were rejected were taken to reconsideration. \p Sir Stephen Timms: (a) 157,023 applications were submitted during 2024-25

(b) 88,607 applications were approved during 2024-25 with a further (i)4,227 applications where advice was provided to the claimant. (ii)34,959 applications were not approved with the following reasons:

1,378 reconsideration requests were received during 2024-25, this equates to 1.1% of decisions made had a reconsideration request

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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of he rule which prevents mixed-age couples from claiming pension-age benefits until the youngest partner reaches State Pension age on the number of people in poverty. \p Torsten Bell: The requirement that both members of a couple need to have reached State Pension age to be eligible for Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit was introduced by the previous conservative government from 15 May 2019. Benefit support for couples where only one partner has reached State Pension age is provided through Universal Credit instead.

This change was made to ensure that the working age partner gets the right support and incentives to remain in contact with the labour market – and where appropriate moves into work – subject to their individual circumstances. No work-related conditionality applies to the pensioner partner.

This does not affect when the pension-age partner in a mixed-age couple can access their State Pension or eligibility for other benefits such as Attendance Allowance.

This Government’s priority for pensioners has been to increase the State Pension, including by 4.1% last April. Pensioners on a low income may still qualify for help with their rent and Council Tax, and from this winter, pensioners whose annual taxable income is at or below £35,000 will receive the Winter Fuel Payment. They may also benefit from free prescriptions and eye tests and free off-peak local bus travel. Further information on the help available can be found on: GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of her Department's proposed changes to the PIP eligibility criteria on the number of people subject to the benefits cap (a) nationally and (b) in Croydon East constituency. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We estimate that in 2029/30, for those affected by the proposed changes to the PIP eligibility criteria, 1,200 claimants will be also subject to the benefit cap. This estimate assumes that people potentially subject to the benefit cap are no more, and no less, likely than other people affected by the proposed changes to change their behaviour to continue to qualify for PIP and the estimate is subject to revision.

Estimates of the volumes of PIP claimants affected by the reform in the future are forecast for England and Wales only and therefore have not been broken down by Parliamentary Constituency or any other geographic area.

After accounting for behavioural changes, the OBR predicts that 9 out 10 PIP recipients at the time of policy implementation are expected to be unaffected by the PIP 4-point change in 2029/30. No one will lose access to PIP immediately - and most people will not lose access at all. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. People who continue to receive a PIP mobility component will remain exempt from the benefit cap.

We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met.

We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.

Even with these reforms, the overall number of people on PIP and DLA is expected to rise by 750,000 by the end of this parliament and spending will rise from £23bn in 24/25 to £31bn in 29/30.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) Housing Benefit and (b) other housing subsidies on rent levels in the private rented sector. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for low income tenants in the private rented sector (PRS). In April 2024, LHA rates were set at the 30th percentile of local market rents and have been maintained at the same levels for 2025/26.

In the PRS, LHA households in similar circumstances living in the same area are entitled to the same maximum rent allowance regardless of the contractual rent paid. However, LHA rates do not cover all rents in all areas.

International evidence varies widely on how much housing subsidies feed through into rent levels. DWP analysis has shown that only 9.5% of rents paid by households covered by the LHA were within +/- £5 per week of the LHA rate in May 2024, with a similar rate (7%) seen in February 2023. While anecdotal evidence suggests that some landlords use the LHA to set rent levels, on balance it appears that in practice local rental market dynamics are the primary driver.

Discretionary Housing Payments are also available from local authorities to those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Christine Jardine:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her planned timeline is for providing a progress update on the implementation of commitments outlined in the Disability Action Plan. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Disability Action Plan was an initiative of the previous administration.This Government is committed to championing the rights of Deaf and disabled people. We will build on the insights shared by disabled people and their representative organisations, working closely with them so that their views and voices are at the heart of everything we do.

We will provide further updates on the Government’s priorities for disability policy in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment on the number of job vacancies in each constituency. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Pathways to Work Green Paper sets out our plans for reform to stop people from falling into inactivity, restore trust and fairness in the system and protect disabled people.

We do not hold the data to assess the impact of the proposed changes to PIP eligibility on the number of job vacancies on a national level or by parliamentary constituency. The Office of Budget Responsibility has committed to produce an assessment of the labour market impacts of the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper at the time of the autumn budget.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab).

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Christine Jardine:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to introduce a funding scheme for disabled candidates, in the context of Disability Action Plan commitments; and what progress she has made on a funding scheme for disabled candidates. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Disability Action Plan was an initiative of the previous administration.

It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.

On 9 June we announced a new Access to Elected Office Steering Group to support the development of a new fund to help with the disability-related expenses of gaining elected office. Drawing on their lived experience and expertise of disability, accessing funding or standing for elected office, members will work with the Minister for Social Security and Disability to ensure the fund is effective in increasing disability representation in future elections. More information about this work will be shared in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support children of disabled people who have had PIP removed. \p Sir Stephen Timms: PIP provides a contribution to the extra costs an individual faces as a result of needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability. It is not an income replacement benefit.

We have committed to introduce a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This will target PIP at people who have a higher level of functional need in at least one area. Our intention is that the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.

We are mindful of the impact this change to PIP eligibility could have on people. That is why we have committed that existing claimants who lose eligibility as a result of these changes will continue to receive PIP and its associated benefits and entitlements for 13 weeks following their award review. This protection is non-negotiable and will be included on the face of the Bill. This transitional cover is one of the most generous ever and more than three times the length of protection provided for the transition from DLA to PIP.

Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is a priority for this Government, and we will bring forward the Child Poverty Strategy in the Autumn, exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty.

Further steps are being taken to support households facing the greatest hardship and financial crisis. We provided £1 billion, including Barnett impact, to extend the Household Support Fund in England and Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales in 2025-2026. And we have now announced reform to crisis support, including the first multi-year settlement for a new Crisis and Resilience Fund in England.

We are increasing the Living Wage, uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households. We also recognise that the basic rate of Universal Credit is too low. That is why for the first time since 1980 we are increasing the core unemployment benefit by more than inflation on a sustained and permanent basis, subject to parliamentary approval, as part of our welfare reform.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to expand discretionary housing payments to (a) Surrey and (b) other areas with high rental inflation. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Government announced through the Spending Review that Discretionary Housing Payments will be included in the new Crisis and Resilience Fund from April 2026. This will provide £842 million per year (£1 billion including Barnett consequential) to reform how crisis support is delivered locally.

By combining Discretionary Housing Payments to create a single, streamlined fund, the Crisis and Resilience Fund will make it easier for local authorities to deliver joined-up support, whilst helping people to access the help they need when they need it.

We will work closely with Local Authorities on the detailed design of the fund and will issue further information on our planned approach.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the review of Universal Credit will consider the process of how social security rates are (a) set and (b) uprated. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Secretary of State already has an annual Statutory duty to conduct a review of benefits and State pension rates, including Universal Credit, to determine whether they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices and/or earnings. This is a well-established process that applies more widely than just Universal Credit and is therefore outside the scope of the review.

This Government uprated benefit rates for 2025/26 in line with inflation, with 5.7 million Universal Credit households forecast to gain by an average of £150 annually. We will also improve the adequacy of the Universal Credit standard allowance with the first sustained above inflation rise in the basic rate of Universal Credit since it was introduced, subject to parliamentary approval as part of our welfare reform.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will ensure that people in receipt of Carers Allowance will to continue to receive that allowance if the person being cared for is no longer in receipt of social security support. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting people with long-term health conditions and disabilities, and this Government recognises and appreciates the vital contribution made by all unpaid carers. Carer’s Allowance recognises this contribution and reflects the reduced earnings potential of people providing unpaid care to a friend, neighbour or relative who is in receipt of an additional-needs disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

As the Government introduces changes to PIP eligibility, it is mindful of the potential impact on unpaid carers. Under the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill we have committed to introduce a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This will target payments at people who have a higher level of functional need in at least one area. Our intention is that the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. It also commits to providing a 13-week run-on for existing PIP claimants who – at their next award review – are no longer eligible for that benefit as a result of these changes. This is to allow for a longer period of adjustment. During this period, Carer’s Allowance will also continue to be payable where a friend, neighbour or relative is providing 35 hours or more of care to the PIP recipient.

The Government will continue to listen to views on wider support for people with long-term health conditions and disabilities, including support provided to them by unpaid carers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support disabled people who (a) are too ill to work and (b) score less than 3 points under Pathways to Work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We have committed to introduce a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This will target PIP at people who have a higher level of functional need in at least one area. Our intention is that the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.

We are mindful of the impact this change to PIP eligibility could have on people. That is why we have committed that existing claimants who lose eligibility as a result of these changes will continue to receive PIP and its associated benefits and entitlements for 13 weeks following their award review. This protection is non-negotiable and will be included on the face of the Bill. This transitional cover is one of the most generous ever and more than three times the length of protection provided for the transition from DLA to PIP.

Meanwhile, in the Green Paper we are consulting on what else is needed to support those who lose entitlement due to the reforms, including how to make sure that health and eligible care needs are met.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that work-trial schemes allow people to return to previous levels of social security if they are not successful. \p Alison McGovern: The DWP Work Trial scheme is one of several DWP initiatives that support jobseekers into sustainable work. Allowing some jobseekers who have successfully applied for a job, to do that job for a short unpaid period, whilst retaining benefits.

Specifically, a Work Trial can help jobseekers overcome any doubts about whether they can manage their new job alongside other commitments such as caring responsibilities or managing their disability or health condition. On top of this, DWP will offer to support the jobseeker with certain expenses incurred for the duration of the Work Trial.

Work Trials allow both the jobseeker and employer to ensure the job fits both parties before becoming an employee.

If the Work Trial does not result in ongoing employment the jobseeker will retain their benefit, and their entitlement does not change unless their circumstances do. More information on Work Trials can be found at https://www.gov.uk/jobcentre-plus-help-for-rcruiters/work-trials.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people in poverty who will lose financial support as a result of her Department's proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment. \p Alison McGovern: The government's impact assessment regarding Health and Disability Reform is available at Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts. This includes estimated impacts of the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment entitlement rules on the number of people in poverty. However, it does not have estimated impacts regarding those already in poverty.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper set out a broad package of plans and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. Our plans are designed to protect the most vulnerable and give disabled people equal chances and choices to work.

We will continue to carefully consider the impacts of reforms as we develop our detailed proposals for change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Trussell document entitled Guarantee our essentials, published in June 2025, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report's estimates of the total amount needed to afford essentials for adults in a household of (a) £120 for a single adult and (b) £205 for a couple. \p Sir Stephen Timms:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_30

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on care-leavers. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on care leavers. However, we recognise the challenges that care leavers may face in transitioning to independent living and navigating the welfare system, and remain committed to supporting them as with all vulnerable groups.

Our care leaver offer provides additional support such as access to the higher one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate up to the age of 25, as well as tailored support through Jobcentre Plus. We review this regularly.

The Department continues to engage with stakeholders and welcomes views on how best to ensure that care leavers are supported through future reforms to UC and PIP. As part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation, we are also inviting views on proposals to raise the age at which individuals can access the UC health element to 22.