Recommendation 13

The processing delays and backlogs have had a negative impact on individuals and employers.21 The written evidence we received highlighted the hardship, both human and economic, caused by the delays in processing applications as a result of the backlogs. For example, Citizens Advice shared case studies that showed workers were at risk of losing their jobs or facing unsafe conditions while they waited for the Department to make decisions.22 In another example, SignHealth (a national deaf-led charity) said that delays disrupted the onboarding of staff, that small employers were disproportionately affected due to their limited internal flexibility, and that late payments reduced the willingness of British Sign Language interpreters to accept Access to Work bookings.23 13 Qq 2 and 6 14 C&AG’s Report, para 3.3 and Figure 10 15 C&AG’s Report, para 2 and Figure 1 16 C&AG’s Report, para 3.2 17 Qq 6-7 18 C&AG’s Report, para 14 19 Q 4 20 Q 25; C&AG’s Report, para 11 21 C&AG’s Report, para 15 22 Citizens Advice (AWS0082) 23 SignHealth (AWS0044) 11