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[Thread] Today we published our report on @DWP's response to the #coronavirus outbreak.
We've been inquiring into coronavirus & the benefits system since March.
We published this on what we learned from the public: https://twitter.com/CommonsWorkPen/status/1254737003662446600
Here's what we recommend to @DWP
![[Thread] Today we published our report on @DWP's response to the #coronavirus outbreak.We've been inquiring into coronavirus & the benefits system since March.We published this on what we learned from the public: https://twitter.com/CommonsWorkPen/status/1254737003662446600Here's what we recommend to @DWP](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbIEC5DXYAA5yhw.jpg "[Thread] Today we published our report on @DWP's response to the #coronavirus outbreak.We've been inquiring into coronavirus & the benefits system since March.We published this on what we learned from the public: https://twitter.com/CommonsWorkPen/status/1254737003662446600Here's what we recommend to @DWP")
We've been inquiring into coronavirus & the benefits system since March.
We published this on what we learned from the public: https://twitter.com/CommonsWorkPen/status/1254737003662446600
Here's what we recommend to @DWP
. @DWP staff have been at the forefront of @GOVUK’s efforts to support people during the pandemic.
Thousands have been redeployed, dealt with major shifts in policy and established new ways of working.
@DWP should set out now how it will recognise and reward their work.
Thousands have been redeployed, dealt with major shifts in policy and established new ways of working.
@DWP should set out now how it will recognise and reward their work.
From 16 March, 93% of people got their first #UniversalCredit payment on time. This is a big improvement for @DWP.
Still, over 200,000 people (7%) got their payment late.
@DWP should set out now how it will improve, or at least maintain, a high rate of claims paid on time.
Still, over 200,000 people (7%) got their payment late.
@DWP should set out now how it will improve, or at least maintain, a high rate of claims paid on time.
The Government encouraged people to claim #UniversalCredit if they needed support because of #coronavirus.
This worked well for lots of people, but some people who were on previous benefits found themselves worse off when they followed this guidance & moved to Universal Credit.
This worked well for lots of people, but some people who were on previous benefits found themselves worse off when they followed this guidance & moved to Universal Credit.
The Secretary of State @theresecoffey committed to solve this problem. But nothing has changed.
In our report we recommend that @DWP urgently returns people to pre-existing benefits or equivalent.
In our report we recommend that @DWP urgently returns people to pre-existing benefits or equivalent.
At the start of #coronavirus, @DWP rightly focused on increasing #UniversalCredit & Working Tax Credit rates.
This helped millions.
But other benefits, including for disabled people, carers & people with children, didn't go up. DWP said it was too difficult to change them.
This helped millions.
But other benefits, including for disabled people, carers & people with children, didn't go up. DWP said it was too difficult to change them.
Now the surge of #UniversalCredit claims has mostly been handled, @DWP should immediately increase rates of other benefits.
It should backdate these payments to April 2020 when it raised #UniversalCredit & Working Tax Credit.
It should backdate these payments to April 2020 when it raised #UniversalCredit & Working Tax Credit.
We welcomed the decision to increase #UniversalCredit by ÂŁ20/week & increase Local Housing Allowance.
But the #benefitcap means 1000s of families won't see an increase.
@DWP should publish who will be hit by the #benefitcap because of the increase in benefits from coronavirus.
But the #benefitcap means 1000s of families won't see an increase.
@DWP should publish who will be hit by the #benefitcap because of the increase in benefits from coronavirus.
We heard that some disabled people who started their claims before #coronavirus have faced major delays.
@DWP hasn’t acknowledged our concerns on this.
@DWP must investigate reports of delays & publish how long it's taking to process claims.
@DWP hasn’t acknowledged our concerns on this.
@DWP must investigate reports of delays & publish how long it's taking to process claims.
In a separate inquiry, we were disappointed to hear that @DWP is communicating in ways that are inaccessible.
The @RNIB told us that @DWP sent out printed letters to people who cannot see.
@DWP should set out publicly what it's doing to meet people's communication needs.
The @RNIB told us that @DWP sent out printed letters to people who cannot see.
@DWP should set out publicly what it's doing to meet people's communication needs.
We heard from charities which support people with #NoRecoursetoPublicFunds.
This is likely over 1 million people, including 100,000 children.
If they lose income because of coronavirus, they have no safety net.
We call on @GOVUK to suspend the NRPF condition immediately.
This is likely over 1 million people, including 100,000 children.
If they lose income because of coronavirus, they have no safety net.
We call on @GOVUK to suspend the NRPF condition immediately.
The Health and Safety Executive @H_S_E has taken a central role keeping workplaces safe during the pandemic.
But it’s seen a 9.4% fall in its taxpayer funding since 2015-16.
We recommend that @DWP sets out a long-term plan for funding @H_S_E and publicises its essential role.
But it’s seen a 9.4% fall in its taxpayer funding since 2015-16.
We recommend that @DWP sets out a long-term plan for funding @H_S_E and publicises its essential role.
The Pensions Regulator @TPRgovuk has also had to adapt to #coronavirus.
@TPRgovuk must stay alert now to the risk that employers could take advantage of the flexible policies that came in to help businesses during the pandemic.
@TPRgovuk must stay alert now to the risk that employers could take advantage of the flexible policies that came in to help businesses during the pandemic.
As we move out of the pandemic, @DWP faces a challenge to support the huge increase in unemployed people after years of record employment.
A one-size-fits-all approach won't work.
We urge @DWP to tailor its support to focus on people who've been most hard hit by #coronavirus.
A one-size-fits-all approach won't work.
We urge @DWP to tailor its support to focus on people who've been most hard hit by #coronavirus.
In our wide-ranging inquiry, we:
heard oral evidence from 31 witnesses
received over 70 pieces of written evidence
had more than 6,000 responses to our survey
Read more about our findings and recommendations to @DWP here: http://committees.parliament.uk/committee/164/work-and-pensions-committee/news/147027/raise-the-rates-of-legacy-benefits-to-support-people-hit-hard-by-coronavirus-pandemic-not-just-universal-credit-say-mps/
heard oral evidence from 31 witnessesreceived over 70 pieces of written evidencehad more than 6,000 responses to our surveyRead more about our findings and recommendations to @DWP here: http://committees.parliament.uk/committee/164/work-and-pensions-committee/news/147027/raise-the-rates-of-legacy-benefits-to-support-people-hit-hard-by-coronavirus-pandemic-not-just-universal-credit-say-mps/
