Contributions
635 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDisabled PeopleMy hon. Friend is right to highlight this very important area and I am very proud that I helped to champion disability apprenticeships. Through the Access to Work scheme, which is…07 Oct 2019HANSARDDisabled PeopleWe have made significant progress to improve support and have seen the number of working age disabled people in employment increased by over 1 million in the last six years.…07 Oct 2019HANSARDUniversal Credit: Disabled ClaimantsThis Government are spending an additional £9 billion per year—a record high of £55 billion—supporting those with disabilities and long-term health conditions. The universal…07 Oct 2019HANSARDUniversal Credit: Disabled ClaimantsWe continue to work with stakeholders and claimants to make sure the system is improved and can operate as quickly as possible. I encourage Opposition Members to support the £600…07 Oct 2019HANSARDUniversal Credit: Disabled ClaimantsUniversal credit targets additional support at a wider group than the system it replaces, with a much higher rate for severely disabled people than the employment and support…07 Oct 2019HANSARDContracted-out Health AssessmentsThe hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight the need to improve mandatory reconsiderations, which is why we brought forward the pilots in the spring. The pilots are proactively…07 Oct 2019HANSARDContracted-out Health AssessmentsI thank my hon. Friend for raising that. She works tirelessly in this area and is held in great respect by all Members on both sides of the House. The integrated assessment is…07 Oct 2019HANSARDContracted-out Health AssessmentsWe strive to get the right decision first time, but we have to do much more to speed up the appeal process in the minority of cases where that does not happen. That is why we…07 Oct 2019HANSARDContracted-out Health AssessmentsI would be very happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman, who has a huge amount of expertise in this area. Of those who have transferred from disability living allowance to PIP,…07 Oct 2019HANSARDContracted-out Health AssessmentsWe are committed to ensuring that individuals receive high-quality assessments as part of the suite of evidence that decision makers can use to decide entitlement. Providers are…07 Oct 2019HANSARDTerminally Ill PeopleI pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his work as chairman of the APPG. We do take things seriously, which is why we are doing this thorough evaluation. We are already working…07 Oct 2019HANSARDTerminally Ill PeopleI pay tribute to the hon. Lady, who has been a tireless campaigner in this area, building on her personal and professional experience. I have met with her on several occasions,…07 Oct 2019HANSARDTerminally Ill PeopleI understand how important it is to support those nearing the end of their life, and I am taking the evaluation forward as a priority. We have made progress on all areas of the…07 Oct 2019HANSARDContracted-out Health AssessmentsThe two benefits link through together. It is set at 16 to allow time for adaptation, and we continue to work with stakeholders to make sure the process is as straightforward as…07 Oct 2019HANSARD Child Maintenance Service: Payment Recovery from Absent ParentsTo be absolutely clear, child maintenance does not impact on the amount of benefits the receiving parent will get, whether it is paid or not paid. It did under the old system of…02 Oct 2019HANSARD Child Maintenance Service: Payment Recovery from Absent ParentsThat is a fair point. I am sure the team would be very happy to meet those who are particularly interested in the operations side. On direct payment, there are cases where we have…02 Oct 2019HANSARD Child Maintenance Service: Payment Recovery from Absent ParentsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Owen. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Glenrothes (Peter Grant) for calling this debate. On the basis of all the…02 Oct 2019HANSARD Child Maintenance Service: Payment Recovery from Absent ParentsOn that specific point, they will have been contacted. If that information is available and they would like that £18,000 debt to be pursued, it would be, and it would be a…02 Oct 2019HANSARD Workplace Deaths: ScotlandMy hon. Friend makes an important point, and I will have to write to him to give more details. As I said earlier, we cannot stand still. Industry innovation, technology and…24 Jul 2019HANSARD Workplace Deaths: ScotlandIt is a real pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Buck. I thank the hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Hugh Gaffney) for securing the debate. He spoke…24 Jul 2019