Select committee: Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 19
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)
DWP should also implement a new policy making clear that staff have a responsibility to check proactively for vulnerabilities and engage claimants in regular conversations where they can share any difficulties they may be experiencing. For example, if a claimant attended meetings with a support 97 worker advocating on their behalf, this should act as a clear indication of a possible vulnerability. DWP should also consider how to introduce semi- regular moments to check on claimants who do not have regular contact with Work Coaches, to understand if their needs have changed. This would require an emphasis on building trust with claimants, to ensure they do not feel DWP is monitoring or policing them. Staff training must reflect these new approaches to identifying and supporting vulnerable claimants. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71) Ensuring accessibility and supporting claimants
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".