Select committee: Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 16
1st Report – Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants
Published 15 May 2025
Addressed to Department for Work and Pensions
Work and Pensions Committee Safeguarding vulnerable claimants All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We heard in evidence that when using the ‘Additional Support Area’ in Universal Credit, DWP officials are able to record support needs under the following eight categories: care leavers; armed forces; ex-offender; homeless or risk of homelessness; limited digital ability or accessibility; difficulties with English; drug and alcohol misuse; and an ‘other’ box. It is our view that the category of ‘victims of domestic abuse’ is a glaring omission from this list. Unfortunately, there will be many people dealing with DWP who fall into this category. And they will have particular vulnerabilities and need specialised support that cannot be covered by the other categories and seem more significant than being put into the ‘other’ box. We recommend that the category of ‘victims of domestic abuse’ be added to the ‘Additional Support Area’ in Universal Credit to ensure that this set of vulnerabilities is being looked out for and to signal to DWP officials that people falling within that category will need the offer of additional support. (Conclusion, Paragraph 62)
From: Work and Pensions Committee, 1st Report – Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants (HC 402), 15 May 2025
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 22 July 2025 (deadline 15 July 2025).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government has responded in full only to those recommendations outside the scope of the consultation on a new safeguarding approach, with the others being "considered alongside the consultation", the outcome of which "will be published in the Autumn".
- On a statutory safeguarding duty, the Government is "open to" it. The Secretary of State "will make a statement to the House in the Autumn" setting out DWP's new approach to safeguarding.
- It does not intend to publish the Chief Medical Advisor's team advice on the Pathways to Work changes, saying it remains advice to the Secretary of State and that "a single document does not exist".
- On Help to Claim, DWP states it "has found no shortfall" in support following the transition, citing jobcentre support and the Visiting Service.
- On the PHSO's powers, DWP "acknowledges" the recommendation but says it lacks authority to make such changes. Any change "would require primary legislation" and is "a matter for Parliament".