Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Third Report: Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment
Work and Pensions Committee
HC 204
Published 19 October 2020
Government response
Third Special Report - Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report · published 12 Jan 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
32
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 139
DWP must immediately make improvements to the Universal Credit system to formalise how it identifies...
Recommendation
DWP must immediately make improvements to the Universal Credit system to formalise how it identifies and defines vulnerable claimants, as part of its overall approach to safeguarding vulnerable people. This will be a substantial piece of work, and DWP should …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is working on collecting sensitive information to provide tailored support and monitor improvements for specific claimant cohorts, and that vulnerable accounts can already be flagged. However, it does not commit to a formalised system or timeline for defining and identifying vulnerable claimants as comprehensively recommended.
Department for Work and Pensions
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35
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 152
We welcome the announcement of funding for the recruitment of over 13,500 new Work Coaches—double...
Recommendation
We welcome the announcement of funding for the recruitment of over 13,500 new Work Coaches—double the current number—over the next financial year. This is an ambitious programme of recruitment. The Committee would welcome a written update from the Department, by …
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Government Response Summary
The government provides an update on Work Coach recruitment and details plans to maximise estates capacity, including using local authority space. However, they reject the request for monthly updates, stating they will provide 'relevant updates to Parliament' instead.
Department for Work and Pensions
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46
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 197
We recommend that the Department publishes the guidance given to Work Coaches when they advise...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department publishes the guidance given to Work Coaches when they advise people on APAs, to improve transparency in the process. The Department should make clear when and how a claimant is made aware of APAs both …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it has published guidance on APAs and routinely publishes data, but rejects expanding current reporting on unsuccessful applications. It acknowledges providing tailored support for split payments where appropriate but does not agree a broader review is needed.
Department for Work and Pensions
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48
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 201
While Scottish Government data shows a quarter of people revert from More Frequent Payments under...
Conclusion
While Scottish Government data shows a quarter of people revert from More Frequent Payments under Scottish Choices, DWP’s research does not provide a detailed understanding of how the Department monitors how more frequent payments work for people, and what it …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to adding the recommendation to publish figures on claimants reverting from twice-monthly payments to its development programme. It also points to existing data on Alternative Payment Arrangements and data published by the Scottish Government.
Department for Work and Pensions
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49
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the DWP improve the quality and detail of its published data on...
Recommendation
We recommend that the DWP improve the quality and detail of its published data on alternative payments, by publishing its figures on how many people revert to monthly payments from the twice monthly payment option in England and Wales. DWP …
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Government Response Summary
The government will add the recommendation to publish figures on how many people revert to monthly payments to its programme for development, and notes the Scottish Government already publishes management information on Scottish Choices.
Department for Work and Pensions
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