The Committee holds two evidence sessions this week, focussed on
the impact of DWP’s rollout of Universal Credit and migration of
existing claimants onto the new, unified benefit, which replaces
six “legacy” benefits.
Amid growing concerns about the Government’s approach the Chair
last week wrote to the NAO and DWP
on the "red lines" or key tests DWP should set for
itself, and meet, before it “contemplates extending” Universal
Credit any further, to new or existing claimants.
- · In the
first session this week, on Wednesday 17th (when
there will be an Opposition Day debate on Universal Credit in the
afternoon), the Committee will question Department officials on
achieving the expected reduction of its Departmental Expenditure
Limit: in particular how the Government will simultaneously cut
running costs and first achieve, then maintain, satisfactory
service levels while also migrating existing claimants on to
Universal credit and rolling it out to new areas. This is
especially acute in the context of the NAO’s recent report on
Universal Credit, which cast doubt on whether DWP will ever
realise the efficiency savings it has claimed as a key benefit of
the flagship welfare reform. The report conversely suggested that
Universal Credit may ultimately cost more than the legacy
benefits it replaces: Shambolic” Universal
Credit may never realise promised benefits
The Department faces further expenditure issues in the
administration of PIP and ESA benefits, having apparently
conceded that the contracted-out medical assessments for the
benefits might have to be brought back in-house: PIP assessments: Atos and
Capita on notice to “start delivering, or else”
In response to the Chair’s request on UC “red lines”, Employment
Minister will give evidence in a second,
urgently convened session this week on Thursday 18th.
This will focus on how the Department will make the decisions on
whether to start, delay, or pause the process of managed
migration, and whether it will apply the key tests the Chair has
requested the NAO put forward. It will also look at the
support available to claimants as they are migrated onto UC, and
how the Department will go about understanding and identifying
those in need of support.
On 17 October 2018 at 9:30 am in the Wilson Room:
Department of Work and Pensions departmental expenditure
limit
Peter Schofield, Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and
Pensions
Nick Joicey, Finance Director General, Department of Work and
Pensions
Tara Smith, Finance Director Central Services, Department of Work
and Pensions
On 18 October 2018 at 11:00 am in the Grimond Room:
Universal Credit
MP, Minister for Employment,
Department for Work and Pensions
