Recommendation 93

We pay tribute to the DWP employees during this very difficult time in managing and handling the huge increase of people accessing welfare because of the covid-19 pandemic. The digital by default system has withstood the pressure placed on it during the pandemic, although, the DWP should look to offer other options of support for those who require it—especially with expected job losses set to increase as the year progresses and the anticipated conclusion of the furlough scheme at the end of September 2021—which will likely bring further demands on Universal Credit through natural migration (and managed migration if and when that process starts) of individuals still in receipt of legacy benefits.