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
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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
7 results
Clear
2 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The pandemic demonstrated how resilient the UK social security system can be in the face...
The pandemic demonstrated how resilient the UK social security system can be in the face of significant challenges. Despite the huge surge in demand, Universal Credit continued to function and benefits were paid out to a markedly increased pool of … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the resilience of the social security system during the pandemic. However, the government believes that the pandemic was not the right time to introduce changes to the rate of Statutory Sick Pay and is keeping the system under review.
Wales Office
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3 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We were concerned to hear that welfare rights advisors believe that Universal Credit’s explicit consent...
We were concerned to hear that welfare rights advisors believe that Universal Credit’s explicit consent model has impeded their ability to help claimants and has led to some people sharing personal data such as passwords. We would welcome the UK … Read more
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to continually improving access to Universal Credit. A policy of explicit consent exists to help reduce the risk of fraud. The Department welcomes any input through its ongoing discussions with a broad group of stakeholders.
Wales Office
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7 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We welcome the swift changes to the financial support many claimants received during the pandemic,...
We welcome the swift changes to the financial support many claimants received during the pandemic, as well as to the operation of the overall system. We received evidence of the significant difference that the temporary £20 uplift made to those … Read more
Government Response
There were various support mechanisms available to the self-employed, though eligibility will have varied according to how their enterprises were structured. As for the Department for Work and Pensions, its … Read more
Wales Office
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We acknowledge that the UK Government has difficult choices to make in ensuring that the...
We acknowledge that the UK Government has difficult choices to make in ensuring that the benefits system is financially sustainable in the long-term. We welcome its reduction of the taper rate and increase in the work allowance in the autumn Budget.
Government Response
The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is committed to improving working relationships across Government to support the people of Wales and will continue to advise and support the DWP on matters impacting Wales, ensuring UK policy is delivered effectively and communicating policy decisions across Wales.
Wales Office
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9 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
However, in light of concerns about the rising costs of living, there is a need...
However, in light of concerns about the rising costs of living, there is a need for a discussion about how to ensure benefits are adequate, affordable and sustainable. On the basis of the evidence presented there is a need for … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government rejects these recommendations. The Department for Work and Pensions Ministers already have constructive engagement channels with Ministers in the Welsh Government on matters of mutual interest, and … Read more
Wales Office
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13 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
Around 39% of claimants are in work.
Around 39% of claimants are in work. Many of those who became eligible for Universal Credit during the pandemic will have done so through losing income while on furlough rather than through losing a job. For those whose pay is … Read more
Government Response
This recommendation is for the Welsh Government.
Wales Office
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16 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We welcome the extent of joint working between ministers throughout the pandemic, including meetings between...
We welcome the extent of joint working between ministers throughout the pandemic, including meetings between the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Minister and other Welsh Government Ministers, as well as multilateral meetings chaired by various UK Ministers. … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government has no intention to devolve social security to the Welsh Government. The Committee’s report acknowledges the advantages of the current system, highlighting its strength during the Covid … Read more
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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