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Hunt of Kings Heath, Lord (25)
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My Lords, there is no question of a transfer to other government departments, because the money released will be used to finance more schemes for small businesses. It is quite within the capacity and baseline funding allocations of those government departments to fund schemes from now on. I have a provisional breakdown of the numbers involved per government department, which I am happy to place in the Library and send to the noble Baroness. Overall we think that there are about 239 posts, but they are provisional.
It is worth making the point that there has been a huge expansion in the resource for this excellent scheme, from £14 million in 1997-98 to £62 million in 2006-07. The Government are right behind the scheme.
My Lords, there is no question of a transfer to other government departments, because the money released will be used to finance more schemes for small businesses. It is quite within the capacity and baseline funding allocations of those government departments to fund schemes from now on. I have a provisional breakdown of the numbers involved per government department, which I am happy to place in the Library and send to the noble Baroness. Overall we think that there are about 239 posts, but they are provisional.
It is worth making the point that there has been a huge expansion in the resource for this excellent scheme, from £14 million in 1997-98 to £62 million in 2006-07. The Government are right behind the scheme.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c593
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I said that as part of taking forward the welfare reform programme we would keep under review the progress made in relation to the employment of disabled people by small businesses. A variety of methods will be used. It is impossible to give the methodology in great detail. Because of the importance of small businesses taking on responsibility in relation to disabled people and employing them, it will be vital for the success of the welfare reform strategy.
My Lords, I said that as part of taking forward the welfare reform programme we would keep under review the progress made in relation to the employment of disabled people by small businesses. A variety of methods will be used. It is impossible to give the methodology in great detail. Because of the importance of small businesses taking on responsibility in relation to disabled people and employing them, it will be vital for the success of the welfare reform strategy.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Swinfen
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the Minister gave a long answer to the noble Baroness, Lady Darcy de Knayth, but did not actually answer her question. How is the information to be gathered from small and medium-sized businesses?
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c594
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I do not think that it will be devastating. We have already been in contact with each government department, and I do not think that there will be problems. I assure my noble friend that if there are problems such as he identified, my department will be very quick to interact with the relevant department to ensure that the success of this programme is continued under the new arrangements.
My Lords, I do not think that it will be devastating. We have already been in contact with each government department, and I do not think that there will be problems. I assure my noble friend that if there are problems such as he identified, my department will be very quick to interact with the relevant department to ensure that the success of this programme is continued under the new arrangements.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Ashley of Stoke
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, one trade union described this change of policy as devastating. That trade union believes that local management will not be prepared to pay for very severely disabled people. How does my noble friend respond to that?
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c594-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that is a very important question. It goes back to the point raised by my noble friend—that if we are to increase the number of people coming off incapacity benefit into work, it is essential that employers ensure that posts are offered. As part of taking that work forward, we shall keep a close watch on what is happening within small employers. But I have no doubt that in the context of welfare reform and the new provisions in disability discrimination legislation that came in last year—in terms of public authorities, they are due to come in in a few weeks’ time—there will be greater provision for these programmes in future.
My Lords, that is a very important question. It goes back to the point raised by my noble friend—that if we are to increase the number of people coming off incapacity benefit into work, it is essential that employers ensure that posts are offered. As part of taking that work forward, we shall keep a close watch on what is happening within small employers. But I have no doubt that in the context of welfare reform and the new provisions in disability discrimination legislation that came in last year—in terms of public authorities, they are due to come in in a few weeks’ time—there will be greater provision for these programmes in future.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Darcy de Knayth
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, how do the Government plan to gather evidence of any positive impact on employment rates of disabled people in the small and medium business sector?
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c593
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I hope that it is not a best kept secret. As part of the arrangements for transferring responsibility, officials in Jobcentre Plus have been in close contact with other government departments to ensure that the changeover will be as smooth as possible. Of course, we shall keep this under review; the responsibilities of each government department under the Disability Discrimination Act will in any case ensure that the matter is monitored. If there are found to be problems, I shall be absolutely determined to ensure that my department looks into them.
My Lords, I hope that it is not a best kept secret. As part of the arrangements for transferring responsibility, officials in Jobcentre Plus have been in close contact with other government departments to ensure that the changeover will be as smooth as possible. Of course, we shall keep this under review; the responsibilities of each government department under the Disability Discrimination Act will in any case ensure that the matter is monitored. If there are found to be problems, I shall be absolutely determined to ensure that my department looks into them.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Addington
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, whatever happens with this scheme—whichever way is most efficient when the money is moved around—we shall not know unless we have successful monitoring? Where is the monitoring to be found and what publicity is to be given to the Access to Work scheme, which has been described as one of the best kept secrets in Whitehall?
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c593-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
No, my Lords. We have increased the overall funding to the Access to Work programme to £62 million for 2006-07, which is a huge increase. I do not believe that central government departments need additional funding. They should be quite able to take on this responsibility within their own baseline expenditure.
No, my Lords. We have increased the overall funding to the Access to Work programme to £62 million for 2006-07, which is a huge increase. I do not believe that central government departments need additional funding. They should be quite able to take on this responsibility within their own baseline expenditure.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Morris of Manchester
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Ashley for raising this important issue. Will any central government funding strategies be put in place specifically to counter disincentives to employing disabled people and to incentivise departments of state that are capable of doing very much more?
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c594
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, from 1 October 2006 ministerial government departments took on responsibilities from the Access to Work scheme for funding workplace disability adjustments. This will allow a greater focus of the scheme on small businesses.
My Lords, from 1 October 2006 ministerial government departments took on responsibilities from the Access to Work scheme for funding workplace disability adjustments. This will allow a greater focus of the scheme on small businesses.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c592
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there is no question but that we expect government departments to be good employers for disabled people. The recommendation that we followed was contained in the life chances report issued by the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. More money is now being made available from the Access to Work scheme for small businesses. It is right to expect that government departments will take on responsibility. There is no reason whatsoever to doubt that they will do so and that disabled people will benefit from it.
My Lords, there is no question but that we expect government departments to be good employers for disabled people. The recommendation that we followed was contained in the life chances report issued by the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. More money is now being made available from the Access to Work scheme for small businesses. It is right to expect that government departments will take on responsibility. There is no reason whatsoever to doubt that they will do so and that disabled people will benefit from it.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Ashley of Stoke
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the ending of funding in government departments for Access to Work is regretted by some people and resented by many more because of the damage it does to jobs for disabled people in government departments? Does he not feel that disabled people who work in government departments are entitled to the same help with their work as people elsewhere? If so, he should withdraw this change in policy because it means that disabled people are going to suffer very greatly. Will he explain to the House how the Government reconcile their view that this change is necessary with their definite policy statement that 1 million disabled people should be taken off incapacity benefit and put into work?
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c592-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What recent changes have been made to the funding of the Access to Work programme.
What recent changes have been made to the funding of the Access to Work programme.
Asked by
Lord Ashley of Stoke
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
6 November 2006
Answered on
6 November 2006
My Lords, from 1 October 2006 ministerial government departments took on responsibilities from the Access to Work scheme for funding workplace disability adjustments. This will allow a greater focus of the scheme on small businesses.
Subjects
Finance; Access to work programme
Date
6 November 2006
Reference
686 c592
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is the current deficit of the Child Support Agency; what has been their aggregate contribution to the agency since it was formed in 1993; and whether they have made any comparisons with child support arrangements in Australia.
What is the current deficit of the Child Support Agency; what has been their aggregate contribution to the agency since it was formed in 1993; and whether they have made any comparisons with child support arrangements in Australia.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 July 2006
The agency's debt position is£3.25 billion. This is money that is owed by the non-resident parent and represents money due to the parent with care and to the Secretary of State, if the parent with care is on benefit. This was reported in the agency's annual report and accounts 2004-05.
Aggregate contribution by HM Government to the Child Support Agency since its formation in 1993-94:Financial year Agency spend £m (1) Modernisation spend (2) Total aggregate contribution
1993-94
139.1
139.1
1994-95
192.4
192.4
1995-96
199.3
199.3
1996-97
224.5
224.5
1997-98
225.9
225.9
1998-99
231.2
231.2
1999-00
260.3
6.4
266.7
2000-01
250.0
48.3
298.3
2001-02
290.4
71.5
361.9
2002-03
294.3
134.6
428.9
2003-04
323.0
128.6
451.6
2004-05
325.6
99.5
425.1
(1) Figures reported in the agency's annual report and accounts and including DWP costs apportioned to the Child Support Agency.
(2) Modernisation spend on child support reform, previously included in DWP headquarters accounts. Due to a change in financial policy endorsed by the National Audit Office, these costs will in future be shown in the agency annual accounts. The 2004-05 accounts will be restated to reflect this changed policy and the restated comparatives will be included in the 2005-06 audited accounts.
It is very difficult to make like-for-like comparisons across different countries, due to the fact that different schemes and accounting practices are in operation.
As the Secretary of State announced on9 February, despite the changes and improvements to the child support system, the policy and its delivery have failed to live up to expectations. He announced that he had asked Sir David Henshaw to consider a fundamental redesign of child support policy and delivery mechanisms and to report back before Summer Recess.
At the same time, the Secretary of State announced publication of the Child Support Agency's operational improvement plan. This plan aims to help to stabilise and improve the performance of the agency in the short term by improving the service to clients, increasing the amount of money collected, achieving greater compliance from non-resident parents and providing a better platform from which to implement evolving policy in the future.
Subjects
Children; Debts; Child Support Agency; Finance; Maintenance
Date
19 July 2006
Reference
6874; 684 c182-3WA
House
House of Lords
Lords debate on motion to consider the first report of the Science and Technology Committee on Ageing: Scientific Aspects. (HL 20 2005-06). Agreed to on question.
Lords debate on motion to consider the first report of the Science and Technology Committee on Ageing: Scientific Aspects. (HL 20 2005-06). Agreed to on question.
Lead member
Lord Sutherland of Houndwood
Answering member
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Department
Department for Work and Pensions; Science and Technology Committee (HL)
Type
Debates on select committee reports
Subjects
Health; Finance; Genetics; Older people; Medicine; Research; Science; Departmental coordination; Strokes; Ageing; Life expectancy; Tomography; Assistive technology
Date
5 June 2006
Reference
682 c289-328GC
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
House
House of Lords
My Lords, individuals who are undertaking independent full-time study are considered to be students, and successive governments have taken the view that their financial support is the responsibility of the education system. My department continues to review the rules for people who are claiming housing benefit while studying and working for more than 16 hours a week.
My Lords, individuals who are undertaking independent full-time study are considered to be students, and successive governments have taken the view that their financial support is the responsibility of the education system. My department continues to review the rules for people who are claiming housing benefit while studying and working for more than 16 hours a week.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Sharp of Guildford
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
What progress they are making in their review of the 16-hour rule which denies young people aged 19 and over in further education access to maintenance or housing benefit if they study for more than 16 hours a week.
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Baroness will know that a rule change occurred in 1990. The principle arising from that was that those opting to study full time in both higher and further education were seen to be the responsibility of the education system. The noble Baroness will know that grants are available to people in the circumstances that she described. I understand the point that she raised. The review that is being undertaken is expected to report to Ministers in the summer.
My Lords, the noble Baroness will know that a rule change occurred in 1990. The principle arising from that was that those opting to study full time in both higher and further education were seen to be the responsibility of the education system. The noble Baroness will know that grants are available to people in the circumstances that she described. I understand the point that she raised. The review that is being undertaken is expected to report to Ministers in the summer.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Sharp of Guildford
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer, but does he realise what nonsense it makes of the Government’s ambition that young people should be given encouragement to improve themselves? How can we expect young people—many of them from very disadvantaged homes—who have the opportunity to come back into education through organisations such as the Foyer Federation but who depend on housing benefit to pay their rent to be confronted at the age of 19, having just started their course, with the stark choice of giving up that course or giving up the home that they have found in the organisation?
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c4-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. He speaks with great experience. There is no question that doing everything we can to encourage disadvantaged people, particularly young people who may have missed out in their formal education, to get as good an education as possible is very important. It is because of that that various grants and funding mechanisms through the education system are in place to allow support for such people. However, I take the point that the noble Lord raised. A review is being undertaken. As I said to noble Lords, we expect officials to report to Ministers in the summer.
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. He speaks with great experience. There is no question that doing everything we can to encourage disadvantaged people, particularly young people who may have missed out in their formal education, to get as good an education as possible is very important. It is because of that that various grants and funding mechanisms through the education system are in place to allow support for such people. However, I take the point that the noble Lord raised. A review is being undertaken. As I said to noble Lords, we expect officials to report to Ministers in the summer.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dearing
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the noble Baroness said that the people who concerned her most were those who came from a disadvantaged background. We know that we all lose through their not being well advanced in education and skills. It is a national problem. For all our sakes, we need to tackle that area. Yes, education is involved, but it goes beyond that. Might the Government consider extending for an extra year the one year that is already approved for those who are studying at 18, so that if their course is not finished, they can complete it?
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c5
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that relates to the academic year with which the age is concerned. As I have said, I am certainly prepared to look at the detail to see whether there are any specific problems that the noble Lord has raised, but the current rule is well understood.
My Lords, that relates to the academic year with which the age is concerned. As I have said, I am certainly prepared to look at the detail to see whether there are any specific problems that the noble Lord has raised, but the current rule is well understood.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Gardner of Parkes
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, following on from the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Dearing, does the cut-off at 19 mean that you could be stopped in the middle of a course, or is there any special provision to ensure that you can finish your course?
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the issue of carers may well go beyond the terms of reference of the review that I have been referring to. As regards carers in general, the point is well taken. The Government’s record in finding a range of support for carers has been very good, but we can never be complacent on the issue, and I will look at it further.
My Lords, the issue of carers may well go beyond the terms of reference of the review that I have been referring to. As regards carers in general, the point is well taken. The Government’s record in finding a range of support for carers has been very good, but we can never be complacent on the issue, and I will look at it further.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Earl of Listowel
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, will the review look carefully at issues for care leavers? While they are in care, as the Minister will be aware, one in five young people has more than three placements in a year. They leave care on average at 17, when most young people leave home at 24. They experience much disruption, and the opportunity to achieve later in life when they have overcome some of their earlier problems is very much to be sought after.
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am sorry, and I am grateful for the clarification. Noble Lords will know that about four years ago we passed legislation to enhance the support that statutory agencies ought to give to children leaving care. I hope that that part of that support can be integrated into the more general support in my department helping young people into work. I certainly agree with that.
My Lords, I am sorry, and I am grateful for the clarification. Noble Lords will know that about four years ago we passed legislation to enhance the support that statutory agencies ought to give to children leaving care. I hope that that part of that support can be integrated into the more general support in my department helping young people into work. I certainly agree with that.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Countess of Mar
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, is the Minister aware that my noble friend Lord Listowel was referring to young people leaving care, not carers?
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c6-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that is a helpful suggestion. I am happy to take it on board. There is no question—the noble Baroness knows that I come from Birmingham—that the help given by my department and by many other people is exemplary. Many people who were affected by Rover have gone back into work. I am very much aware of the work that the Foyer Federation has undertaken in the past 10 years in helping thousands of homeless people. We are considering the issues that it has put forward.
My Lords, that is a helpful suggestion. I am happy to take it on board. There is no question—the noble Baroness knows that I come from Birmingham—that the help given by my department and by many other people is exemplary. Many people who were affected by Rover have gone back into work. I am very much aware of the work that the Foyer Federation has undertaken in the past 10 years in helping thousands of homeless people. We are considering the issues that it has put forward.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Walmsley
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, is the Minister aware that, in the Rover plant at Longbridge, the 16-hour rule was waived to allow workers to train for other jobs? During the review that his department is undertaking, will it consider whether that example could be used as a pilot for raising the ceiling for other discrete groups; for example, people who have committed themselves to training and work by entering the Foyer process?
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I would be delighted to go through an extensive list. First, there are discretionary learner support funds. Secondly, there is the adult learning grant, which is a new income-assessment grant for which adults who are not in receipt of out-of-work benefits are entitled to apply for undertaking studies leading to level 1, 2 or 3 qualifications. That is being piloted. Thirdly, career development loans are provided by three major banks on a commercial basis to support learners in their chosen course.
My Lords, I would be delighted to go through an extensive list. First, there are discretionary learner support funds. Secondly, there is the adult learning grant, which is a new income-assessment grant for which adults who are not in receipt of out-of-work benefits are entitled to apply for undertaking studies leading to level 1, 2 or 3 qualifications. That is being piloted. Thirdly, career development loans are provided by three major banks on a commercial basis to support learners in their chosen course.
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Skelmersdale
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the Minister has said twice in answer to supplementary questions that various grants exist to help such people in the educational system. Will he list some?
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c5-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What progress they are making in their review of the 16-hour rule which denies young people aged 19 and over in further education access to maintenance or housing benefit if they study for more than 16 hours a week.
What progress they are making in their review of the 16-hour rule which denies young people aged 19 and over in further education access to maintenance or housing benefit if they study for more than 16 hours a week.
Asked by
Baroness Sharp of Guildford
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 2006
Answered on
20 March 2006
My Lords, individuals who are undertaking independent full-time study are considered to be students, and successive governments have taken the view that their financial support is the responsibility of the education system. My department continues to review the rules for people who are claiming housing benefit while studying and working for more than 16 hours a week.
Subjects
Benefits rules; Housing benefit; Finance; Further education; Students
Date
20 March 2006
Reference
680 c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords