Fourth Report - The Benefits System in Wales
Select Committee
Welsh Affairs Committee
HC 337
17 March 2022
Recommendations
1 results
3
Acknowledged
Para 75
We were concerned to hear that welfare rights advisors believe that Universal Credit’s explicit consent...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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Conclusions (6) Observations and findings — click to expand
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 57
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 claimants. That Universal Credit was able to withstand these pressures …
Government Response Summary
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.
7
Conclusion
Para 83
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 eligible claimants, as well as other support measures such as …
8
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 84
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 Summary
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.
9
Conclusion
Para 85
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 an urgent review of: ending the £20 UC uplift; the …
13
Conclusion
Para 95
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 supplemented by Universal Credit, the issue is not finding work, …
16
Conclusion
Para 116
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. This reflected not only the gravity of the situation but …