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Select Committee · Welsh Affairs Committee

The Benefits System in Wales

Status: Closed Opened: 11 Jun 2021 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 19 recommendations 14 conclusions 1 report

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 about the benefits system in … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fourth Report - The Benefits System in Wales HC 337 17 Mar 2022 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

8 items
5 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 90 per cent in France. In the interest of public … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Wales Office
9 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

However, in light of concerns about the rising costs of living, there is a need...

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The UK Government rejects the recommendation for an urgent review of various benefit policies, stating they have constructive engagement channels with the Welsh Government already.
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Wales Office
10 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 AI summary
The UK Government rejects reintroducing the £20 uplift and extending it to legacy benefits, citing its temporary nature during the pandemic and providing over £37bn in support for the cost of living.
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Wales Office
17 Conclusion Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 security issues, we believe this should be underpinned by a … Read more

Government response AI summary
The UK Government rejects the need for a bilateral intergovernmental body for the UK and Welsh governments to engage on welfare policy, stating they already have constructive engagement channels.
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Wales Office
18 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 AI summary
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.
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Wales Office
19 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 Social Security would be a suitable vehicle for managing these … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Wales Office
32 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 an assessment of the potential merits of devolving the administration … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Wales Office
33 Recommendation Fourth Report - The Benefits System in … Rejected

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 Benefits System in Wales 47 Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejects the premise of the recommendation, reiterating it has no intention to devolve social security to the Welsh Government.
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Wales Office

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
8 Dec 2021 Andrew Latto · Department for Work & Pensions, David Rutley MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Geth Williams · Wales Office, Sarah Pearson · Department for Work and Pensions View ↗
2 Dec 2021 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 View ↗
3 Nov 2021 Anna Coote · New Economics Foundation, Dr Malcolm Torry · University of Bath, Jonathan Williams · UBI Lab Wales, Professor Paul Spicker · Robert Gordon University View ↗
21 Oct 2021 Anvar Sarygulov · Bright Blue, Charlotte Pickles · Reform, Charlotte Pickles · Social Security Advisory Committee, Dr Mike Brewer · Resolution Foundation, Dr Victoria Winckler · Bevan Foundation View ↗
16 Sep 2021 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 View ↗

Who gave evidence

22 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alison Corriea · Welfare Adviser Cartrefi Conwy Housing Association 1
Andrew Latto · Deputy Director, Devolution, Pensioner Benefits a… Department for Work & Pensions 1
Anna Coote · Research Fellow New Economics Foundation 1
Anvar Sarygulov · Senior Research Fellow Bright Blue 1
Charlotte Pickles · Director Reform 1
Charlotte Pickles · Member Social Security Advisory Committee 1
Cordelia Deady · Welfare Rights Supervisor Wrexham County Borough Council 1
David Rutley MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Americas … Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Dr Malcolm Torry · Visiting Fellow, Institute for Policy Research University of Bath 1
Dr Mike Brewer · Deputy Chief Executive Resolution Foundation 1
Dr Victoria Winckler · Director Bevan Foundation 1
Emma Congreve · Knowledge Exchange Fellow Fraser of Allander Institute 1
Geth Williams · Deputy Director Wales Office 1
Gwennan Hardy · Senior Policy Officer Citizens Advice Cymru 1
Jane Hutt MS · Minister for Social Justice Welsh Government 1
Jonathan Williams · Co-founder UBI Lab Wales 1
Megan Thomas · Public Policy Manager Meta 1
Paul Neave · Head of Social Welfare Advice and DWP Policy Welsh Government 1
Professor Christina Beatty · Professor of Applied Economic Geography Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University 1
Professor Lisa Scullion · Professor of Social Policy University of Salford 1
Professor Paul Spicker · Emeritus Professor of Public Policy Robert Gordon University 1
Sarah Pearson · Area Director Work and Health Services, Wales and… Department for Work and Pensions 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
7 Sep 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Welfare Delivery, Department for Work and Pensions…