Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sorcha Eastwood this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–26 of 26 · Department for Work and Pensions
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) maternity and (b) paternity pay for (i) one child and (ii) multiple child births.
Maternity pay is primarily a health and safety provisions for pregnant working women. It is not intended to replace a woman's earnings completely, rather it provides a measure of financial security to help pregnant working women take time off work in the ...
Whether she plans to ensure Local Housing Allowance keeps pace with local rents.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates were restored to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024 for one year. Decisions on LHA for future years will be taken in the context of the Government’s missions, housing priorities, and the fiscal co...
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria for Carer’s Allowance for people in receipt of the State Pension who have provided long-term unpaid care.
Although there is no upper age limit to claiming Carer’s Allowance, it cannot normally be paid with the State Pension. It has been a long-held feature of the GB benefit system, under successive Governments, that where someone is entitled to two benefits f...
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of defaulting self-employed people into pension savings.
Finding effective and enduring solutions to enable self-employed people to achieve greater financial security in later life is a challenge, which the UK like other countries is confronting. Research has highlighted that while self-employments are diverse,...
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing children and young people with cancer to apply for (a) Personal Independence Payment, (b) Disability Living Allowance and (c) other disability benefits immediately following their diagnosis.
Other than for those who are nearing the end of their life, the extra costs disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), are assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability rather than a diagnosis. PIP has replaced DLA for working age people. DLA is claimed by children under the age of 16 years old. Children and young people who have been diagnosed with cancer and who face extra costs as a result of their ill health can apply for DLA immediately. The qualifying period does not apply to DLA claimants who are terminally ill and do not have to satisfy the three--month qualifying period. They will have their claim fast tracked and are eligible for the higher-rate care component from the date of claim. The Department supports people nearing the end of life through the Special Rules for End of Life, as they will incur additional costs for additional care and support. We enable children and young people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to the extra costs disability benefits with a guaranteed entitlement.
Whether her Department will continue the work of the Department’s Children in Hospital Stakeholder Group.
Supporting parents with care and compassion whilst they navigate some of the toughest moments a parent can face is something all in this house would believe in. We will consider the work done by the previous Government before making a decision on next steps.