Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Rejected
Automated transitional protection calculations rely on correct data input; claimant transparency is limited.
Conclusion
The Department also told us that it had automated much of the transitional protection process so that calculations were done on the system by a tested algorithm, but the system relied on the right information being input. It highlighted that it informed claimants how much of their UC award was the transitional element but did not provide all the transitional protection rules because it did not think it would help claimants to understand how the amount had been calculated. If people were not happy with the calculation, they could ask the Department about it or seek advice from a welfare rights organisation. The Department said that it was not picking up many incorrect cases but, where calculations were wrong, the mistakes were caused by it being told, and inputting, incorrect data.65 62 PUC0004 63 PUC0006 64 Q 77 65 Q 77 18 Progress in implementing Universal Credit 3 Moving Employment and Support Allowance claimants to Universal Credit
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the implied recommendation to provide more detailed transitional protection rules to claimants, stating the Migration Notice is effective and claimants prefer it concise. It notes a technical guide for advisors exists and is considering what other general information might be provided.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
6.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 6.2 The Universal Credit Migration Notice has been rigorously tested by researchers and designers and has been proven to be effective in live running. 6.3 Feedback from claimants is that they want the Migration Notice to focus on what they need to do and not be used as a vehicle for conveying other messages. 6.4 The department has produced a detailed technical guide for Advisors and is currently considering what other information might be provided more generally.