The Benefits System in Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 11 Jun 2021 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 Parliament page
The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry examining the benefits system in Wales. The new inquiry comes following a period of unprecedented challenge for the benefits system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you live in Wales, fill out our short survey to send in your views … Read more
15 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
1 Letter
5 Events
Activity timeline 13 events
7 Sep
2022
Correspondence
6 Jul
2022
Report published
17 Mar
2022
Report published
8 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
8 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
2 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
2 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
3 Nov
2021
Oral evidence
3 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
21 Oct
2021
Oral evidence
21 Oct
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Hybrid meeting
16 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
8 Dec 2021
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
Andrew Latto · Department for Work & Pensions David Rutley MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Geth Williams · Wales Office Sarah Pearson · Department for Work and Pensions
2 Dec 2021
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Oral evidence
Alison Corriea · Cartrefi Conwy Housing Association Cordelia Deady · Wrexham County Borough Council Gwennan Hardy · Citizens Advice Cymru Jane Hutt MS · Welsh Government Megan Thomas · Meta Paul Neave · Welsh Government
3 Nov 2021
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Oral evidence
Anna Coote · New Economics Foundation Dr Malcolm Torry · University of Bath Jonathan Williams · UBI Lab Wales Professor Paul Spicker · Robert Gordon University
21 Oct 2021
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Oral evidence
Anvar Sarygulov · Bright Blue Charlotte Pickles · Reform Charlotte Pickles · Social Security Advisory Committee Dr Mike Brewer · Resolution Foundation Dr Victoria Winckler · Bevan Foundation
16 Sep 2021
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Oral evidence
Emma Congreve · Fraser of Allander Institute Professor Christina Beatty · Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University Professor Lisa Scullion · University of Salford
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth Report - The Benefits System in Wales HC 337 17 Mar 2022 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
6 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
Given the comparatively high proportion of low paid workers in Wales, we were concerned to...
Given the comparatively high proportion of low paid workers in Wales, we were concerned to hear of issues regarding the eligibility criteria for Statutory Sick Pay. While we acknowledge that there may be other support available to unwell workers, the … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has already improved work incentives in Universal Credit in response to a report, cutting the taper rate and increasing work allowances.
Wales Office
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
Without the uplift, benefits for the unemployed are at their lowest real-terms level since the...
Without the uplift, benefits for the unemployed are at their lowest real-terms level since the early 1990s. Had they grown in line with GDP per capita since 1990, they would be £40 a week higher. The future value of benefits … Read more
Government Response
The DWP is undertaking a national communications campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit, including promotional activity on social media, search engines, newspapers, leaflets and posters. They also engage regularly with the Welsh Government on Pension Credit take-up activities.
Wales Office
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14 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The UK Government should take forward the recommendations of the In-Work Commissioner and review how...
The UK Government should take forward the recommendations of the In-Work Commissioner and review how the taper rate and work allowances can best support in-work progression.
Government Response
The government will allocate £99m to provide around 2.1m low-paid benefit claimants with support to progress into higher-paid work through work coach support and Progression Champions working with local partners.
Wales Office
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20 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We received evidence regarding a lack of awareness among the wider public of key benefits,...
We received evidence regarding a lack of awareness among the wider public of key benefits, most notably Pension Credit. The UK Government should address this directly through a UK-wide income maximisation campaign and design its messaging so that it not … Read more
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions is undertaking a national communications campaign, launched on 4 April, to raise awareness of Pension Credit and encourage eligible pensioners to claim.
Wales Office
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21 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The DWP and Welsh Government should work together with local authorities to run a take-up...
The DWP and Welsh Government should work together with local authorities to run a take-up campaign on Pension Credit, with messaging designed to both raise awareness but also address any reservations some older people may have about claiming it.
Government Response
The DWP is undertaking a national communications campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit, including promotional activity on social media, search engines, newspapers, leaflets and posters. They also engage regularly with the Welsh Government on Pension Credit take-up activities.
Wales Office
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25 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
39% of Universal Credit claimants are already in work: the issue for them is not...
39% of Universal Credit claimants are already in work: the issue for them is not finding a job but finding a higher paid one or more hours. We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to providing claimants with in-work support and … Read more
Government Response
The government will allocate £99m to provide around 2.1m low-paid benefit claimants with support to progress into higher-paid work through work coach support and Progression Champions working with local partners.
Wales Office
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26 Conclusion Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We note that the In-Work Commissioner’s report on Supporting People out of Low Pay found...
We note that the In-Work Commissioner’s report on Supporting People out of Low Pay found that most Jobcentre Plus support is tailored to help people get into work: there is less support and training available for those who are already … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government will allocate £99m to provide around 2.1m low-paid benefit claimants with support to progress into higher-paid work through work coach support, addressing skills gaps, training opportunities, and progression opportunities, supported by Progression Champions in every Jobcentre District working with key partners.
Wales Office
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27 Recommendation Accepted
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The UK Government should accept the In-Work Commissioner’s recommendation to provide a credible in-work offer...
The UK Government should accept the In-Work Commissioner’s recommendation to provide a credible in-work offer for all working benefit claimants. The UK Government should outline how it will take this work forward with the Welsh Government and report back to … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government is committed to helping workers progress into higher pay and announced that £99m would be allocated to provide around 2.1m low—paid benefit claimants with support to progress into higher—paid work. They will provide work coach support, Progression Champions, and work with key partners.
Wales Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 15 classified
Accepted 8
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 5
Total 15 recs + 18 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
7 Sep 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister for Welfare Delivery, Department for Work and Pensions, relating to the Government's response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2021– 22: The Benefits System in Wales, 25 August 2022
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