Fourth Report - The Benefits System in Wales
Select Committee
Welsh Affairs Committee
HC 337
17 March 2022
Government response
The Benefits System in Wales: Government response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2021– 22, and correspondence from the Welsh Government · published 6 Jul 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The demographic, economic and geographic challenges we have highlighted set the context for the benefits...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 76
The DWP should run a consultation with welfare rights advisors on Universal Credit’s explicit consent...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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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15
Conclusion
Not Addressed
We welcome the extent of support that the UK Government provided during the pandemic, but...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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28
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 151
Care-leavers are a vulnerable group and there is a strong case for arguing that they...
Conclusion
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 Summary
The government stated that the DWP and HMRC have provided technical advice to the Welsh Government regarding the interaction of Universal Credit and taxation with the proposed basic income pilot for care-leavers, but did not address the committee's broader point about enhanced support for this group from the UK government.
Wales Office
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31
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 160
The evidence collected during the inquiry showed that attitudes to the idea of devolving welfare...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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