Rachael Maskell MP: written questions
450 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Pension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4385More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support people eligible for Pension Credit to claim it.
Answer: The Department has introduced the ability to make an online claim. This is in addition to telephone and paper claims. DWP Agents and third-party organisations are available to support customers with the application process. The Department is implementing ...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordOlder People: AdvocacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4384More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a Commissioner for Older People.
Answer: The duties of such a role are covered by work elsewhere in the system. The Chief Nurse champions and raises the profile of nursing in social care and works alongside the Chief Social Worker for Adults, to increase the recognition and appreciation of all s...
Answered 4 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: HealthDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4383More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with Directors of Public Health on the risks posed to elderly people of not being able to heat their home to minimum temperature thresholds for health in winter 2024-
Answer: Ministers meet with local authorities on a range of issues. Living in a home that is cold or damp can directly impact occupants’ physical and mental health, creating or exacerbating health issues across their life course. The Government is committed to a ...
Answered 30 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordInfluenza: Fuel PovertyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4382More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to target people living in fuel poverty for the flu vaccine.
Answer: The Department currently have no such plans. The current eligibility criteria are based on the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Adults aged 65 years old and older are eligible for the influenza vaccination....
Answered 11 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordFuel Poverty: Older PeopleDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4381More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he (a) is having and (b) plans to have discussions with local authorities on steps that can be taken to ensure older people are able to (i) heat their homes and (ii) access other warm
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, including the most vulnerable households. We are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-inco...
Answered 13 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Social TariffsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4380More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with energy producers on the potential merits of using profits to create an energy social tariff.
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, including the most vulnerable households. We are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-inco...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordInsulation: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how he determines schedules for insulating homes of pensioners.
Answer: Current Government energy efficiency schemes are targeted at low-income consumers and those in the least energy efficient households. Eligibility requirements can be found on gov.uk, www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-t...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPension Credit and Winter Fuel PaymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to take steps to enable people who are unable to claim Pension Credit to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
Answer: Only pensioner households entitled to Pension Credit, or the other qualifying benefits, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will get...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his deadline is for writing to Housing Benefit claimants on taking up Pension Credit; and what further steps he plans to take in respect of increasing uptake.
Answer: Building on last year’s ‘Invitation to Claim’ trial, we will be directly contacting approximately 120,000 pensioner households who are in receipt of Housing Benefit and who may also be eligible for, but not currently claiming, Pension Credit. We will be i...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4376More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of asking local authorities to contact every pensioner on Housing Benefit to encourage them to take up Pension Credit; and if she will make an asse
Answer: The Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions wrote to all local authorities on 20th August. The letter acknowledged the vital role local authorities play in supporting their communities. The Government recognises that many lo...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4375More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the time taken for all eligible pensioners to apply for Pension Credit.
Answer: The responsibility to make a claim to Pension Credit is with individuals, and we can only encourage them to apply. We encourage all pensioners who may be eligible for Pension Credit to use the Pension Credit Calculator to check eligibility and to use our ...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: Winter Fuel PaymentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of allowing GPs to prescribe a Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners in fuel poverty.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure that fuel poor and health vulnerable households are supported.The UK Health Security Agency publishes the Adverse Weather and Health Plan...
Answered 17 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel PaymentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4373More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has asked the Chief Medical Officer to conduct an impact assessment of introducing means-testing for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Answer: My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care meets regularly with the Chief Medical Officer to discuss key issues affecting the public’s health, including winter pressures. In deciding on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Gover...
Answered 30 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth: Older PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4372More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies on preventing ill health in later life of the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2023, Health in an Ageing Society, pub
Answer: One of the Government’s five missions is to build a National Health Service fit for the future. At the heart of the mission will be supporting people in staying healthier for longer, shortening the time people spend in ill health, and promoting greater in...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth: MouldDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4371More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure a cross-departmental approach to preventing ill health due to damp and cold homes.
Answer: The Government is committed to a preventative approach to the public’s health, taking a cross-departmental approach to improve poor housing conditions, such as damp and cold. We have set out a commitment to tackle the social determinants of health.The Gov...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordRespiratory Diseases: MouldDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4370More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of instances of (a) stroke, (b) myocardial infarction, (c) hyperthermia, (d) pneumonia and (e) other respiratory disease admissions to NHS hospitals that h
Answer: Poor quality homes, including those that are cold or damp, can directly affect physical wellbeing, creating or exacerbating health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular illness.The Government is committed to a preventative approach to the public’s...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth: MouldDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4369More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of cold and damp housing conditions on health outcomes.
Answer: Living in a home that is cold or damp can directly impact occupants’ physical and mental health, creating or exacerbating health issues across the life course. The Government is committed to a preventative approach to the public’s health. Improving housin...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSexual Offences: VictimsMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 900374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate funding for support for victims of sexual violence after 31 March 2025.
Answer: My department provides funding for vital rape and sexual abuse support, to help victims cope and recover from the impacts of crime, through a mix of locally and nationally commissioned services. Funding beyond March 2025 will be agreed with HM Treasury th...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordElectronic CigarettesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4007More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ban vaping in indoor spaces.
Answer: Whilst vapes can be an effective quitting aid for adult smokers, the Government is concerned about the worrying rise in vaping among children, and there are legitimate concerns about the unknown long-term harms from vaping. The Government will soon introd...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSmoking: Public PlacesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4006More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of banning smoking in some public places on health outcomes.
Answer: The Government will soon introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which stands to be the most significant public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom.The Prime Minister supports measures that will create...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSmokingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4005More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that areas which ban smoking are supported by information about smoking cessation programmes.
Answer: The Government will soon introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which stands to be the most significant public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom.The Prime Minister supports measures that will create...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSmoking: Public PlacesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to consult relevant organisations on proposals to ban smoking in outdoor spaces.
Answer: The Government will soon introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which stands to be the most significant public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom.The Prime Minister supports measures that will create...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordLung Cancer: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4003More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to evaluate the lung cancer diagnostic programme, and if he will roll this programme out to provide greater access for people who present a risk of lung cancer.
Answer: The Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) is aimed at people who are over 55 years old, but younger than 75 years old, and who have a history of smoking, which puts them at a higher risk of lung cancer. The TLHC will be converted into a national lung cancer s...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordYouth JusticeMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4002More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to (a) develop a different approach to youth justice and (b) use programmes of diversion to prevent young people entering the youth estate.
Answer: This Government is committed to intervening early and supporting the most vulnerable children to address their needs and reduce the risk of young people offending. We are developing a new approach to youth justice by creating a new Young Futures programme...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: PrisonsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4001More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) improve mental health services in prison and (b) ensure continuity with previous mental health interventions.
Answer: NHS England is undertaking the development of a full Health and Justice mental health pathway review and strategy update, considering pre custody, in custody and post custody care. This review is working at pace and is co-produced with people with lived e...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament record
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