86 Accepted

Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence that highlighted that the digital by default system, whilst...

Conclusion
Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence that highlighted that the digital by default system, whilst working for some claimants, was not a suitable way for many claimants in most need of social security payments to access Universal Credit in Scotland both prior to and during the pandemic.
Government Response Summary
The government states existing resources are sufficient, highlighting the Freephone helpline, continued Jobcentre face-to-face support, Wi-Fi access, additional Work Coaches in Scotland, and continued funding for Citizens Advice Scotland's "Help to Claim" service which offers phone support and public access terminals for online claims.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The Department considers the existing resource to be sufficient. There is already assistance available to help claimants to make and maintain their Universal Credit claim using the Freephone Universal Credit helpline. Throughout the pandemic, Jobcentres have remained open for anyone who needed face-to-face support and could not be helped in any other way. Jobcentres in Scotland resumed full face to face services, returning to normal opening hours from 9am to 5pm, on 26 April 2021. All Jobcentre Plus offices have Wi-Fi and computers available for claimants to access the internet. Work Coaches will continue to support those who need it to maintain their Universal Credit claim. To support DWP’s ongoing commitment in helping claimants, it has recruited an additional 1,152 Work Coaches in its Jobcentres in Scotland. DWP agreed to fund Citizens Advice Scotland to deliver Help to Claim for another year (up to 31 March 2022) to provide support to people to make a new claim to Universal Credit. If Citizens Advice Scotland Advisers identify that a Help to Claim client cannot make their Universal Credit claim on-line, then they will support the claimant to make a claim by phone. Through Help to Claim, DWP has also funded Citizens Advice Scotland to provide Public Access Terminals to enable people who don’t have access to a device to go on-line to claim Universal Credit.
Addressee Bodies
Scotland Office
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.1 yrs
Report published 23 Jun 2021