Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Require Secretary of State to make statement on DWP's new safeguarding approach.
Recommendation
To signal a step-change to the public in the culture of the Department, and to improve accountability directly to Parliament, we recommend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions make a statement to the House, setting out DWP’s new approach to safeguarding, at the conclusion of its current review. This should include a statement of intent relating to cultural change at all levels of the Department, and a new commitment to safeguarding. It should also include clear and specific actions by Ministers and the Senior Leadership Team to demonstrate to all staff that supporting claimants is an important part of DWP’s mission. (Recommendation, Paragraph 24)
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will make a statement to the House in the Autumn, setting out DWP's new safeguarding approach, including a clear intent to drive cultural change and renew commitment to safeguarding.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government is open to the introduction of a statutory duty to safeguard vulnerable customers and acknowledges the importance of a system-wide approach to ensure consistency, transparency and accountability across Government. As previously shared with the Committee, the Government has recently completed the consultation on the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, on a new DWP safeguarding approach. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will make a statement to the House in the Autumn, following the consideration of the consultation findings and on conclusion of the Department’s current safeguarding review, setting out DWP’s new approach to safeguarding. This will include a clear statement of intent to drive cultural change across all levels of the Department, renew the commitment to safeguarding, promote systems-based approaches, and define DWP’s role in supporting those with safeguarding needs.