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
10 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The demographic, economic and geographic challenges we have highlighted set the context for the benefits...
The demographic, economic and geographic challenges we have highlighted set the context for the benefits system in Wales. While it is a reserved competence, that does not mean the environment in which it operates is identical to that elsewhere in … Read more
Government Response
The government response focuses on improving access to Universal Credit and data protection, without addressing the demographic, economic, and geographic challenges in Wales or acknowledging the need for welfare policy to be conscious of the Welsh context.
Wales Office
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4 Recommendation Not Addressed
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The DWP should run a consultation with welfare rights advisors on Universal Credit’s explicit consent...
The DWP should run a consultation with welfare rights advisors on Universal Credit’s explicit consent model and examine whether any changes are necessary.
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for a temporary increase to Universal Credit arguing that the £20 uplift was a temporary measure and has been replaced with over £15bn in support towards cost-of-living pressures and schemes to help people find employment.
Wales Office
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10 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
It is clear that current benefit levels are inadequate.
It is clear that current benefit levels are inadequate. In the short term, the £20 uplift should be reintroduced at the Budget in March 2022 and extended to legacy benefits.
Government Response
The UK Government rejects this recommendation. The UK Government has always been clear that the £20 increase was a temporary measure to support those households most economically affected by the … Read more
Wales Office
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15 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We welcome the extent of support that the UK Government provided during the pandemic, but...
We welcome the extent of support that the UK Government provided during the pandemic, but we note that not all self-employed people were eligible. We welcome 44 The Benefits System in Wales the UK Government’s acknowledgement that it has “learned … Read more
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions has advised the Welsh Government how Universal Credit would be affected by payments under the proposed basic income pilot and HMRC has similarly advised about the treatment of taxation, not providing more details about the lessons it has learned regarding capital limits and self-employed people.
Wales Office
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17 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We welcome the establishment of an Interministerial Group on Welfare, as part of the recently...
We welcome the establishment of an Interministerial Group on Welfare, as part of the recently published Review of Intergovernmental Relations. However, while this will provide an important forum for bringing together the four UK governments to discuss welfare and social … 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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24 Recommendation
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
While we note the positive comments regarding the Welsh Government’s response to the pandemic via...
While we note the positive comments regarding the Welsh Government’s response to the pandemic via the Discretionary Assistance Fund, we also heard concerns about the application process for various Welsh Government and local authority grants and allowances. We welcome the … Read more
Wales Office
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28 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
Care-leavers are a vulnerable group and there is a strong case for arguing that they...
Care-leavers are a vulnerable group and there is a strong case for arguing that they should have enhanced support. While the Welsh Government supports a basic income pilot for this group, we note that the UK government opposes universal basic income.
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions has advised the Welsh Government how Universal Credit would be affected by payments under the proposed basic income pilot. HMRC has similarly advised about … Read more
Wales Office
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29 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
We have received a range of concerns regarding the limitations of the pilot and there...
We have received a range of concerns regarding the limitations of the pilot and there are also considerable issues concerning how the pilot will affect the benefits of the participants. It is crucial that those considering participating are aware of … Read more
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions has advised the Welsh Government how Universal Credit would be affected by payments under the proposed basic income pilot. HMRC has similarly advised about … Read more
Wales Office
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30 Conclusion
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
In the interests of the young people considering taking part in the Welsh Government’s Basic...
In the interests of the young people considering taking part in the Welsh Government’s Basic Income pilot, the DWP and the Welsh Government should work together to conduct an impact assessment on the benefits received and the amount of taxes … Read more
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions has advised the Welsh Government how Universal Credit would be affected by payments under the proposed basic income pilot. HMRC has similarly advised about … Read more
Wales Office
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31 Conclusion Not Addressed
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The evidence collected during the inquiry showed that attitudes to the idea of devolving welfare...
The evidence collected during the inquiry showed that attitudes to the idea of devolving welfare vary significantly. Some were concerned about the financial implications and many felt that they did not have enough information. However, during the course of the … Read more
Government Response
The government restates its position that it has no intention to devolve social security to the Welsh Government and notes the advantages of the current system without addressing the conclusion about varying attitudes.
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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