In Parliament - Andrew Western

Skip to main content

Andrew in Parliament with Keir Starmer and other Greater Manchester MPs.

Jobcentres

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

Number of Established Jobcentres 31st March 2025 is 633 13th March 2026 is 630

Jobcentres: Closures

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

When considering moving colleagues and services to an alternative location the Department considers a wide range of factors and evidence. These include the impact on customers, business needs,...

Child Maintenance Service: Standards

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) monitors telephony performance daily, including call-back requests and the age of outstanding calls. As of March 2026, over 65% of call backs are completed...

Employment Schemes: Young People

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Youth Jobs Grant is specifically targeted at young people because of the risk of lifelong scarring impacts of extended unemployment at a young age and to support the Government’s...

Child Maintenance Service: Complaints

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Department does not hold centrally collated information on the average time taken for the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to resolve complaints escalated beyond initial review. CMS follows...

Unemployment: Young People

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they...

Jobcentres

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Department continually reviews its estate to ensure it meets the needs of customers and represents value for money, making changes where appropriate. The Department’s Workplace...

Children: Maintenance

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. The department publishes Child Maintenance Service official statistics every three months,...

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The unscrupulous people who actively try to promote, encourage, or assist in fraud must not be tolerated and these people must face consequences. Offences under the Fraud Act 2006 can carry a...

Apprentices: Engineering and Plumbing

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The government provides a range of financial support to help employers in all sectors to take on apprentices, including within the electrical and plumbing trades. We are introducing a new...

Department for Work and Pensions: Contracts

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Synergy programme awarded its Business Processing Services contract after a robust process, conducted in line with Government procurement regulations. Its priority is to ensure continuity of...

Department for Work and Pensions: Contracts

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

Synergy is replacing out of date technology systems and processes that cost us time to use and maintain – time that could be better spent serving people who rely on our services. It will...

Child Maintenance Service: Enforcement

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 March 2026 to question number UIN: 114271

Child Maintenance Service: Arrears

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing timely, transparent, and accurate information to parents. To support this, CMS uses proportionate controls to ensure calculation...

Employment: Young People

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they...

Children: Maintenance

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

As of the end of September 2025, there were 317,100 Receiving Parents and 303,800 Paying Parents using the Collect & Pay service. It is proposed to reform the Child Maintenance Service...

Children: Maintenance

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

Data on the average time from a parent initiating a referral request to the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) and that referral being actioned are not held centrally and to provide it would...

Child Maintenance Service: Payments

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The table below shows collection fees received in financial year 2024-25. Collection fees 2024/2025 £000 (a) Paying Parent Collection Fees Received £56,993 (b) Receiving...

Bereavement Counselling: Families

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

Bereavement Support Payment provides support during the acute period following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments. It supports families though...

Children: Maintenance

Department for Work and Pensions

Andrew Western received a response to a question they put to the government

The Government is committed to ensuring parents meet their financial obligations to their children. Where a paying parent fails to take responsibility for paying their child maintenance and...