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
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
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
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
Oral evidence
Anna Coote · New Economics Foundation Dr Malcolm Torry · University of Bath Jonathan Williams · UBI Lab Wales Professor Paul Spicker · Robert Gordon University
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
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
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
5 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The UK Government must urgently review the level at which Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is...
The UK Government must urgently review the level at which Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is set. At only £96.35 per week, it is equivalent to only 20 per cent of the average wage—compared to 100 per cent in Germany and … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to review Statutory Sick Pay levels, stating that it is reviewed annually and that more than half of employees receive more than the statutory minimum from their employer. They are keeping the system under review.
Wales Office
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18 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
The two governments should establish a UK-Welsh government Inter-ministerial Advisory Board on Social Security.
The two governments should establish a UK-Welsh government Inter-ministerial Advisory Board on Social Security. Such a Board could build on the good examples of joint working which were seen during the pandemic. Minutes of its meetings should be published. Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to establish a UK-Welsh government Inter-ministerial Advisory Board on Social Security, stating that existing engagement channels are sufficient.
Wales Office
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19 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
UK Government ministers should consult with the Welsh Government in advance of new social security...
UK Government ministers should consult with the Welsh Government in advance of new social security policies being implemented, especially in areas linked closely to devolved areas of competence such as housing and skills. The UK-Welsh government Inter-ministerial Advisory Board on … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to consult with the Welsh Government in advance of implementing new social security policies, stating that existing engagement channels are sufficient.
Wales Office
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32 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
It is important to make the distinction between devolving the administration of certain welfare benefits...
It is important to make the distinction between devolving the administration of certain welfare benefits and the wholescale devolution of welfare and we recommend that, as a first step, the UK-Welsh Government Inter-ministerial Advisory Board on Social Security should undertake … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to assess devolving administration of benefits to Wales, stating it has no intention to devolve social security to the Welsh Government.
Wales Office
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33 Recommendation Rejected
Fourth Report - The Benefits Syste…
In the event of the Welsh Government submitting formal proposals to the UK Government, the...
In the event of the Welsh Government submitting formal proposals to the UK Government, the DWP should provide us with an update in 12 months regarding the nature and progress of its discussions with the Welsh Government. (Paragraph 162) The … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the premise of the recommendation, reiterating it has no intention to devolve social security to the Welsh Government.
Wales Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 15 classified

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
Parliament page