Contributions
1,831 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSocial Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2023In which case, I apologise. I would normally take note and come back with some answers. Of course I will include the noble Baroness; in fact, I will include any Peer who has taken…22 Feb 2023HANSARDSocial Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2023If I had been given advance notice of the questions, I might have been able to.22 Feb 2023HANSARDSocial Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2023That is fine; I accept that. I think we can leave it at that. I will start by tackling a couple of issues that were raised by the noble Baroness, Lady Sherlock, towards the end of…22 Feb 2023HANSARDLocal Housing Allowance RatesAlthough I do not have that particular figure—perhaps it would come from local authorities—I will certainly be very happy to write to the noble Lord with that information.22 Feb 2023HANSARDLocal Housing Allowance RatesMy Lords, the local housing allowance policy is kept under regular review. We monitor the average rents and shortfall levels for claimants to assess the impact of the policy. A…22 Feb 2023HANSARDLocal Housing Allowance RatesYes, indeed, and this plays into what we spend a lot of time doing in our department, which is looking at universal credit and the benefit cap, including the need for housing. We…22 Feb 2023HANSARDLocal Housing Allowance RatesAgain, I note the comments made by the noble Baroness. We are very aware of this, and we are aware of the juxtaposition of what central government can do and the role of local…22 Feb 2023HANSARDLocal Housing Allowance RatesI absolutely hear the noble Baroness, because we recognise that rents are increasing—there is certainly lots of anecdotal evidence of that in the press. However, the challenging…22 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsI agree with my noble friend that there have been delays, and perhaps I can give a little thought to this. One matter to note is that the Access to Work systems are currently…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsWe certainly keep this under review. The noble Baroness will know that SSP is administered and paid entirely by employers, at a rate of £99.35 per week. Employers are required to…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsThe first thing to say is that there are no plans for impact assessments. What I can say to reassure the noble Baroness and the House is that much work has been done to take…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsMy Lords, the Government recognise the barriers that disabled people face across many aspects of their lives. All government departments have rigorous processes in place, in line…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsI do not have any figures on disabled children but I can say that, in the year 2022-23, we will be spending around £65.7 billion on benefits to support disabled people and people…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsThe noble Baroness raises an important point. I think it might be helpful to remind her that the Minister for Disabled People announced on 1 December last year that a new…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsThe noble Baroness is right to raise PIP. We are targeting support at those with the greatest needs, as she raised. PIP exempts a household from the benefits cap and is uprated by…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsI reassure the noble Baroness that we understand that people across the UK, including those who are disabled, are worried about the cost of living—she mentioned housing and other…21 Feb 2023HANSARDDisabled People: Impact from Policies and Spending CutsAlthough I cannot confirm that, I know that the commission examined whether my department was making reasonable adjustments to its processes for people with mental health…21 Feb 2023HANSARDHealth and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022That the Grand Committee do consider the Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022.31 Jan 2023HANSARDHealth and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022My Lords, the Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022 statutory instrument was laid before Parliament on 20 December 2022 and came into force on that same day. These…31 Jan 2023HANSARDHealth and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Sherlock, for her response. I totally understand the tone and nature of the questions that she has asked. I hope that I can respond. It…31 Jan 2023