Amid growing calls from across the political spectrum for a pause in the Universal Credit rollout as evidence of problems continues to mount, the Work and Pensions Committee takes evidence from Secretary of State David Gauke.
More info on work and Pensions Committee website
Summary of Secretary of States response to committee on Universal Credit
Universal Credit statistics: background information and methodology
Witnesses
- Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions
- Neil Couling CBE, Director, Universal Credit Programme, Department for Work and Pensions
Given everything the Committee has heard, it is surprised that David Gauke opted to proceed with the accelerated rollout. It strongly suspects his decision, together with the failure to tell the Committee anything, reflects a culture at the DWP of those most invested in Universal Credit not telling anyone, including their Ministers, bad news.
The overwhelming picture the Committee is getting is that Universal Credit as currently configured is very bad news. The Committee has heard nothing, to the contrary or otherwise, from those running it.